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Frequently Asked Questions
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NAVIGATION
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IS THERAPY RIGHT FOR ME?
Whether you're a tenured therapy veteran ready to move closer towards healing or you're looking to start learning more about yourself, therapy is right for you. Character Development will show you how to better your relationships with yourself and others while helping you identify and succeed in meeting your goals!
While every session lasts 50 minutes, each client's journey will look different and the length of therapy will primarily depend on you. While some of us have mountains we're climbing barefoot, others may have paved roads to their place of healing. Together, we can overcome the obstacles that are holding you back and help you realize your dreams.
WHAT CLIENTS DO YOU WORK WITH?
Our passion is working with individuals, couples, and families who are part of the Queer community. We know, from personal experience, that sometimes you need someone who just "gets it," and you don't have to spend an hour each week teaching someone about your lived experience. We also know that it can often be difficult finding a caring professional who belongs to the Queer community. Please note that Colby only works with adults over the age of 18; however, Erin enjoys working with both adolescents and adults!
We love working with folx either individually or in family-style therapy sessions. Nothing brings us more joy than to help a couple or family find the voice in the relationship, help them succeed in meeting their goals, and build stable and safe relationships where each member can be truly "seen" and "heard." Want to learn more? Check out the Personal Development and Relational Therapy sections on our website.
DO I NEED TO IDENTIFY AS LGBTQ2IA+ TO RECEIVE CARE?
You don't need to be part of the queer community to receive care from us! We welcome all people from all walks of life, orientations, and identities and are more than happy to work with our cisgender and hetero allies. One thing to note is that Colby's professional and educational background are tailored to the needs of the queer community.
Maybe you're wanting to learn how to better support a queer loved one or you're wanting to explore your own internalized hetero/cis-sexism or your own relationship to your identity. Or you just vibe with us as humans and how we approach therapy. Regardless of the reason that brings you to us, we're more than happy to meet you where you're at!
WILL YOU USE MY NAME & PRONOUNS (EVEN IF DIFFERENT FROM LEGAL NAME) IN ALL DOCUMENTATION?
Absolutely! We've experienced and witnessed firsthand how damaging it can be to have someone misgender you, use the wrong pronouns, or even call you by the wrong name. You, your pronouns, and your name are valid and will always be accepted and respected here at Character Development. Our documentation will also reflect this.
HOW WILL WE MEET?
Quarantine has provided us the opportunity to connect with each other in new and unique ways. You will meet with your therapist using a HIPAA-Secured Video Conferencing Platform rather than meeting in person. This allows us to have conversations in the space you're most comfortable in! So, there's no need to worry about walking into a strange, clinical space and trying to adapt to our taste in furniture!
DO YOU OFFER ANY SUPPORT GROUPS OR CLASSES?
Colby is so excited to offer support groups for our community. On my own journey, I've learned that my most authentic self shows up most when I'm able to teach or facilitate groups. I offer groups periodically which are centered in connecting members of the queer community as they navigate their mental health, relationships, and *gestures around* all of this. At this time, I do not have any groups ongoing.
WILL YOU COLLABORATE WITH MY CARE TEAM?
Here at Character Development, we encourage collaborative care and will work closely with your care team to help you meet your goals. We have experience working closely with dieticians, psychiatrists, and primary care doctors to ensure that you're receiving the best care possible. In some instances, we might even provide you with referrals to trusted professionals in the area.
HOW MUCH DOES THERAPY COST?
Each of our clinicians set their own session rates, so we recommend scheduling a consult with the therapist of your choosing to discuss session fees. It's always okay to ask for a more flexible payment option and we are happy to discuss this when we meet.
WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF PAYING OUT OF POCKET?
Paying out of pocket, instead of using insurance, gives us more flexibility (and gives you more autonomy) in treating your needs. When you utilize insurance to manage your mental health, they have the ability to dictate session frequency, session duration, and even the number of therapy sessions covered in a given year. They often do not cover couple or family sessions or have very rigid limits around this therapeutic structure. Insurance companies require diagnoses after the first session, or very early in treatment.
Additionally, insurance companies will have access to your session notes, any diagnoses, and treatment plan; all of which can be accessed or audited by your insurance company at anytime. Your diagnoses become part of your permanent medical file and could be listed as pre-existing conditions, which can create additional issues down the line.
Paying out of pocket allows you to take charge of your mental health and you get to determine length of care and work directly with your therapist to create the treatment plan that works best for you.
WHAT ARE MY PAYMENT OPTIONS?
We currently accept all major debit/credit cards and HSA/HFA cards through a HIPAA secured platform. At this time, only Colby is able to accept Aetna and Optum insurance; however, upon request, we can generate a weekly superbill for you, if you choose to submit this to insurance for reimbursement.