What is therapy? What can I expect?
Check out this resource from the American Psychological Association for more information on therapy and what to expect: “Understanding psychotherapy and how it works”
What are the benefits and risks of therapy?
Therapy depends on cooperation and honest dialog between you and your therapist. Although it can help with self-awareness, better communication, reducing conflict, and altering distressing moods, there may also be periods of unpleasantness. There are no guarantees of outcome and you have the right to stop at any time; however, it is recommend to have a closure session before termination or therapist change, and you will be responsible for payment of services already received, included fees for late cancelations or missed appointments.
Will you write me a letter for an emotional support animal (ESA)?
Some of our therapists have the ability to write letters to landlords about emotion support animals. Letters can be secured in 3 to 4 sessions that are 50 minutes long, following the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) model. Letters are not provided to those seeking one, single session alone for the purposes of attaining a letter. Click here to read the Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist licensing board’s guidance to professionals to better understand why letters are not provided in a single session.
Do you write letters for gender affirming surgeries and hormone treatment?
Yes! We support the Informed Consent model and provide one-time assessments plus letter writing. Sessions last 80-120 minutes and cost $120. Minor letter updates are free.
Confidentiality and Privacy
Feelings of trust and safety are critical for personal growth and the therapeutic relationship. Therefore, confidentiality is taken very seriously. All conversations and correspondence between us will remain confidential. Laws are also in place to protect your privacy. The link here is about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which is an example of a federal law that sets national standards for the protection of individuals' medical records and personal health information, including information about psychotherapy and mental health.
Can my therapist share my private information without my permission?
In some specific situations, psychologists can share information without your permission. Common exceptions to confidentiality are:
To protect you or the public from serious harm. For example, if you threaten to attempt suicide or seriously harm another person, the therapist may alert people who can reasonably prevent the threat, including, for example, law enforcement or the intended person.
To report abuse or neglect of children, the elderly or people with disabilities. Therapists are typically required under state law to report this type of abuse or neglect.
To respond to an order from a court. This might happen if you’re involved in a legal proceeding and your mental health comes into play.
Can my therapist talk to others about me?
Sometimes, therapists find it helpful to discuss your concerns or behaviors with other people in your life. A therapist may want to interview your spouse to better understand what's going on in your home, for example. And if a child is having trouble at school, the therapist may want to interview the child's teachers.
Similarly, your therapist may ask for your consent to share information, or discuss your care, with your other health care professionals to coordinate your care.
But whether you allow others to be involved in your care is completely up to you. Therapists generally cannot contact anyone else without your permission.
If you have specific concerns about confidentiality or what information a therapist is legally permitted or required to disclose, discuss it with your therapist. They will be happy to help you understand your rights.
I'm older than 18, but still use my parents' insurance. What do I need to know about privacy?
When a person receives services using health insurance, the insurance company sends a statement called an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) that explains which services were used and paid for. Since we do not accept insurance, there will be no EOB. Superbills, however, display some of the same information. Superbills show the diagnoses, service descriptions, and confirmation it’s been paid for. You may ask us to give you Superbills if you want to submit the out-of-pocket cost to your insurance for reimbursement. Or rather, if your parents want to submit it. So, if you use your parents' insurance for therapy services, your parents may receive an EOB or Superbill that outlines the services you used. However, they will not be able to access your records or find out what you discussed during your sessions with a therapist.
Do you take Medicaid? Do you take Medicare? Do you accept my insurance?
Affirming Pathways does not accept any insurance. Please click here to reach our costs page for more information.
Do you have anger management classes?
Affirming Pathways does not offer anger management classes.
I'm under 18. Will the therapist tell my parents what we talk about?
Therapists want you to feel comfortable sharing your feelings and are careful to respect your privacy. Often, at the first therapy visit, the therapist will sit down with you and your parent/guardian(s) to discuss ground rules for privacy. That way both you and your parent/guardian(s) know exactly what types of information the psychologist might share, and what he or she will keep private. For example, it is common for parents to agree to be informed only if their minor child is engaged in risky activities. Remember, the goal is to keep you safe and healthy.
Click here to read Ohio’s law on outpatient services for minors without guardian consent.
Do you treat addiction?
Affirming Pathways does not directly treat addiction. Some practitioners are trained to help you maintain recovery. If you are in active addiction, or early recovery, we would be happy to work with you alongside an addiction-specific provider. If you don’t have one, you can click here to start your search.
Will you help with custody cases?
It is our firmly held policy that we do not endorse either parent in custody cases. Any interaction or documentation we are required to do with courts costs $500 per hour - no exceptions.
Who can go to relational therapy?
Kira treats couples and groups of adults. If all members of your family, polycule, group/team, household/housemates, etc. are all over age 18, all those willing to participate in therapy can meet with Kira for a consultation. You can all decide how to move forward from there!
I’m court ordered to go to therapy. Will you provide documentation for me? Could you appear in court with me?
Any document preparation, time coordinating with courts or other professionals, any appearance in court (even if we’re just sitting in the room), etc., is $500 per hour - no exceptions.