FAQs

  • How does online counseling work?

    Online therapy is just like in-person therapy, except via video. I use a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform designed for healthcare professionals (Doxy.me). Some clients find that they prefer online therapy to in-person therapy due to the convenience of having sessions from home. I also offer sessions via telephone, if this method is preferred.

    Please note that online therapy is not suitable for all clients. During your initial phone consultation, we will discuss whether online therapy is the right fit for you.

  • Do you prescribe medication?

    I do not prescribe medication. If you’re interested in psychiatric medication management, I work closely with Tiffany Pittman, MPAS, PA-C, of Northwind Holistic Psychiatry. I recommend her services if you are seeking a more holistic, personalized approach to medication. Tiffany and I collaborate together to offer a tailored approach of therapy + medication.

  • How much does counseling cost?

    Sessions are $160 per 50-minute session, and sessions are paid on the day of session. Please note that counseling sessions are considered a medical appointment and are covered by HSA/FSA funds.

  • How often should I have counseling sessions?

    This depends on the amount of support you are needing. Most people start out with either weekly or biweekly (every other week) sessions. This is something we will determine in our phone consultation, or in our first session together, and we can adjust as we go.

  • Is everything kept confidential?

    Confidentiality is of the utmost importance. In general, what is discussed in therapy is kept strictly confidential. There are a couple of exceptions to this (for instance, if you are in immediate danger of harming yourself), which are addressed in the Intake paperwork and reviewed in our first session together.

  • Why don’t you take insurance? What are the benefits of self-pay?

    There are a number of reasons why I am an out-of-network provider with insurance, and why some people might prefer self-pay:

    • Insurance requires a mental health diagnosis — for some clients I see, a mental health diagnosis is not necessary.

    • Insurance requires session notes that become a part of the client’s permanent health records — self-pay provides increased privacy of your mental health care.

    • Insurance can dictate the frequency of sessions, type of therapy used, and how many sessions a client can have — I believe that these decisions about a client’s treatment should be made between the client and the therapist.

    • Some insurance plans have high deductibles — clients with high deductibles may choose to forego insurance if they would have to be paying the same amount out-of-pocket toward their deductible if they were seeing an in-network therapist.

  • I would like to use my in-network insurance benefits to help cover the cost of therapy. How can I find a therapist?

    If you would like to use your in-network benefits, you can call the 1-800 number on the back of your insurance card and ask for in-network mental health therapists in your area.

    You can also check out www.PsychologyToday.com for a list of therapists who are in-network with your insurance.

  • I need help now — where else can I get help?

    If you’re in crisis and looking to speak with someone right away, you can call or text the 24-hour Crisis Line at “988,” or chat here.

    For residents of Douglas County, you can also contact Region 4 South, which provides mobile crisis team services (face-to-face or Zoom support).

    If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

If you have a question that is not addressed here, feel free to email me at Chelsey@LakeshorePsychologyMN.com.

Ready to get started? Just click the button below to get connected with me. If it sounds like we’re a good fit, we’ll schedule our first session together.