Frequently Asked Questions for Adults
Do You Have Openings?
I sometimes have a little wiggle room in my schedule, but do not have availability for after school or late evening appointments. I can often accommodate early morning appointments or early afternoon slots to minimize school disruptions, if needed. Many parents try to schedule appointments during their child's lunch or non-academic periods, or alternate times so their child is not missing the same class each session. I also offer telehealth for older kids so that transportation time does not have to cut into their missed school time. At the moment, I have openings for the following: virtual sessions on Mondays or Tuesdays, or midday sessions in person Wednesdays, Thursdays, or Fridays.
How Does This Work?
No matter what the issue, if your child is under 18 I will always want to speak to parents for the initial intake session. I will be gathering pertinent information, family history, and parental concerns, and providing information as to how I work. Young children will not need to be present for this appointment (they usually find it boring). Knowing that you are the expert in your child’s life, you and I will determine a basic plan for what best meets your child’s needs and how we should proceed. Older children and teens can be included in this determination and their input will help guide our decisions. If we decide I am a good fit for therapy, we will schedule additional sessions that may include the child alone, the child and parent(s), or the entire family. I will periodically request sessions with parents to monitor the child’s progress and address any concerns.
Where are you located?
Growth Therapy is a part of Athens Center for Counseling and Play Therapy.
485 Huntington Road #197, Athens GA 30606.
We're on the side of Huntington behind the mall, not the side behind Starbucks.
Please note we do not have a receptionist, so feel free to have a seat and make yourself at home and I will be out to get you.
Do you accept insurance?
As of 1/1/2022 I am no longer paneled with any Anthem plans, including BCBS and Amerigroup. I am currently on the following panels:
CareSource Medicaid*
Optum/United
Additionally, if you have out of network benefits through your insurance, I can provide a superbill so that you can seek reimbursement based on your coverage.
Please note that if you choose to use your insurance for mental health care, your counselor is required to share information about your mental health with your insurance company. If you'd like more information on how this works, let me know.
If I choose not to use insurance, what will I pay?
My standard rates are $150 for intake then $125 per session for individual sessions. For a formal good faith estimate and disclosure about fees for services under the No Surprises Act, click here.
Should I tell my child/teen that I’ve made an appointment?
Ideally, yes. First sessions are scary because we don’t know what to expect. Please don’t tell small children you’ve made an appointment with a doctor. You can use the word counselor or therapist, or even a feelings coach. If your child knows his or her school counselor or other helping adult you can compare me to that person. You can let your child know that the first appointment is just for gathering information and that he/she will not have to talk about anything personal. Often children and teens feel better once they come in, meet their counselor, and learn more about the process.
What do you recommend when you don't have openings?
Each year our sister organization, Athens Therapy Co-op, hosts masters level intern therapists during the second year of their graduate program. During this time they are taking classes related to counseling and child development and working with clients in our office, practicing their skills under the supervision of licensed therapists. Leslie Schwartz and I meet with our intern therapists for multiple hours each week to discuss their client needs, brainstorm interventions and provide support and resources. We talk through each client's needs and tailor strategies and counseling approaches specific to their situation. Intern sessions are just $45, and interns are typically with us from August until April (depending on the program, some are with us through the summer as well). Our previous interns are now successfully employed in the community as therapists and medical social workers. If I don't have openings I love for clients to work with one of our interns so that I can continue to support both the client and our intern. Click here to read about our current and former interns.
Frequently Asked Questions for Kids and Teens
Will my parents come in with me?
For the first session, yes. That helps me find out more information about your family and tell everyone how I work. This ensures that your parents understand that I won't share with them anything you talk about. We can make a plan at that first session about how we continue, but unless you’re uncomfortable with the idea I typically will want to give you an entire session to yourself too. If you want your parents to stay with you, they can.
Are there rules?
I have three basic rules that I use when I work with children and teens. I try to remember to tell parents and teens my three rules when they come in for the first time.
1. Everything we talk about is between us unless someone’s in danger. There are some things I have to tell other adults so that we can work to keep everyone safe. If that happens I will always tell you first.
2. There's no right or wrong answer here, and you'll never get in trouble with me for anything we talk about.
3. If there’s anything you don’t want to talk about you don’t have to. You’re in charge of what you share, and I’ll be respectful if there are things you don’t want to talk about.
Do I have to talk?
I can’t force you to talk. See rule #3 above.
Will this be boring?
Hopefully not but I make no promises. That’s something you’ll have to decide for yourself once you come in for the first session.
As of 1/1/2022 I am no longer paneled with any Anthem plans, including BCBS and Amerigroup. I am currently on the following panels:
CareSource Medicaid*
Optum/United
Additionally, if you have out of network benefits through your insurance, I can provide a superbill so that you can seek reimbursement based on your coverage.
Please note that if you choose to use your insurance for mental health care, your counselor is required to share information about your mental health with your insurance company. If you'd like more information on how this works, let me know.
If I choose not to use insurance, what will I pay?
My standard rates are $150 for intake then $125 per session for individual sessions. For a formal good faith estimate and disclosure about fees for services under the No Surprises Act, click here.
Should I tell my child/teen that I’ve made an appointment?
Ideally, yes. First sessions are scary because we don’t know what to expect. Please don’t tell small children you’ve made an appointment with a doctor. You can use the word counselor or therapist, or even a feelings coach. If your child knows his or her school counselor or other helping adult you can compare me to that person. You can let your child know that the first appointment is just for gathering information and that he/she will not have to talk about anything personal. Often children and teens feel better once they come in, meet their counselor, and learn more about the process.
What do you recommend when you don't have openings?
Each year our sister organization, Athens Therapy Co-op, hosts masters level intern therapists during the second year of their graduate program. During this time they are taking classes related to counseling and child development and working with clients in our office, practicing their skills under the supervision of licensed therapists. Leslie Schwartz and I meet with our intern therapists for multiple hours each week to discuss their client needs, brainstorm interventions and provide support and resources. We talk through each client's needs and tailor strategies and counseling approaches specific to their situation. Intern sessions are just $45, and interns are typically with us from August until April (depending on the program, some are with us through the summer as well). Our previous interns are now successfully employed in the community as therapists and medical social workers. If I don't have openings I love for clients to work with one of our interns so that I can continue to support both the client and our intern. Click here to read about our current and former interns.
Frequently Asked Questions for Kids and Teens
Will my parents come in with me?
For the first session, yes. That helps me find out more information about your family and tell everyone how I work. This ensures that your parents understand that I won't share with them anything you talk about. We can make a plan at that first session about how we continue, but unless you’re uncomfortable with the idea I typically will want to give you an entire session to yourself too. If you want your parents to stay with you, they can.
Are there rules?
I have three basic rules that I use when I work with children and teens. I try to remember to tell parents and teens my three rules when they come in for the first time.
1. Everything we talk about is between us unless someone’s in danger. There are some things I have to tell other adults so that we can work to keep everyone safe. If that happens I will always tell you first.
2. There's no right or wrong answer here, and you'll never get in trouble with me for anything we talk about.
3. If there’s anything you don’t want to talk about you don’t have to. You’re in charge of what you share, and I’ll be respectful if there are things you don’t want to talk about.
Do I have to talk?
I can’t force you to talk. See rule #3 above.
Will this be boring?
Hopefully not but I make no promises. That’s something you’ll have to decide for yourself once you come in for the first session.
