QUESTIONS

WORTH ASKING

BEFORE

YOU START.

Yes. Plenty of people I see have never been in therapy. You don’t need any background, or even the right words for what’s going on. We start from where you are.

That’s worth taking seriously, and it’s common. Often the problem was fit or structure: sessions that felt like talking in circles with no clear direction. The work here is goal-directed. We name what we’re working on, use approaches with strong research behind them, like CBT, ERP, and ACT, and check progress regularly so you can see whether it’s moving. In the consultation, tell me what didn’t work last time. That’s useful information.

That’s exactly what the free consultation is for. You don’t need to arrive with certainty, just enough curiosity to have a real conversation about what’s going on.

No. Most clients don’t have a formal diagnosis and don’t need one. What matters is that something isn’t working the way you want it to. That’s enough to start.

It’s a 15-minute phone call. You tell me what’s going on, and I tell you honestly whether I think I can help and what the work would look like. If it isn’t the right fit, I’ll say so. There’s no cost and no obligation.

The first session is an intake. We map your history, the patterns that keep showing up, what seems to be driving them, and a realistic plan for the work. It may run a little longer than a standard session.

It depends on what you’re working on and how consistently you engage between sessions. Most people notice real movement within 8 to 12 sessions. We revisit goals regularly so the work stays relevant.

Weekly, biweekly, or monthly, decided together based on your goals. We can adjust the pace as the work changes.

55 minutes. The intake may run a little longer.

All sessions are virtual, by secure video or phone. In-person sessions aren’t available right now.

Yes. You can send a secure text or leave a voicemail through Spruce, and I’ll respond within 24 hours. Messages aren’t monitored around the clock, so if you’re in crisis, call or text 988.

Right now I work with individuals. If it would help to bring a partner or family member into a session, we can talk about that as it comes up in our work.

No. You work directly with me in every session.

Yes. I’m licensed in Wisconsin (LCSW #13119) and Ohio (LISW #2608616), and you need to be physically located in one of those states during each session. If you’ll be traveling, let me know ahead of time and we’ll plan around it.

The foundation is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which looks at how thoughts, emotions, behavior, and physical health feed each other. Depending on what you’re working on, I also draw on exposure and response prevention (ERP) for OCD and anxiety, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), DBT skills, and psychodynamic work. More on the approach.

Usually, in small and practical doses: noticing a pattern when it shows up, trying a skill, or running a planned exposure. What happens between sessions is a big part of how change sticks.

The consultation is free. The intake session is $175, and each 55-minute session after that is $150. The rate is the same in Wisconsin and Ohio. See full fees.

Mindset Studio is currently self-pay and out of network with all insurance plans. I can provide a superbill on request, which you can submit to your plan for possible out-of-network reimbursement.

Call the member services number on your insurance card and ask three things. Do I have out-of-network outpatient mental health benefits? What’s my deductible, and how much of it have I met? What percentage do you reimburse for CPT codes 90791 (intake) and 90837 (therapy session)?

Yes. Credit, debit, HSA, and FSA cards are accepted through a secure client portal. Your card on file is charged after each session, so there’s nothing to handle at the end of the call.

Cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours ahead and there’s no charge. Late cancellations and missed sessions are $75.

Under the federal No Surprises Act, you have the right to a written estimate of expected costs when you’re paying without insurance. You’ll get one before your first paid session. Read the notice.

Yes, with a few limits set by law. I may have to share information if there’s a serious risk of harm to you or someone else, if I learn a child or vulnerable adult is being abused, or if a court orders it. The details are in the Notice of Privacy Practices.

Not from me. Because Mindset Studio is self-pay, nothing goes through your insurance unless you choose to submit a superbill, and I don’t share anything with your employer without your written permission.

Mindset Studio isn’t a crisis service. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline any time, or call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.