Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I choose the right therapist in Winston-Salem?
You’ve probably done your homework and researched several therapists in the area. Find someone who focuses on your concerns (e.g., anxiety). Once you’ve made a list of therapists, just trust your gut. If you don’t vibe well with them, you can always switch to another provider. Finding a good therapist is similar to “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” Sometimes, you have to try a few out before you find the one that’s “just right.”
Does insurance cover online therapy in North Carolina?
Yes! Almost all insurances cover teletherapy. Check with your insurance to see which providers are considered in-network telehealth providers.
How quickly can I start therapy?
I respond to all email inquiries within 24-hours. Given that co-payments are often minimal, I like to schedule for a 60-minute session within the week to best determine if we are a good fit. This session will be filed to your insurance. If we are a good fit, then we schedule for future appointments. If we aren’t a good fit, I will refer you to one of my amazing colleagues who can help you. It’s really that easy!
What happens in the first therapy session?
We will just chat and get to know each other. Generally, I will ask, “What brings you into therapy?” We will talk about what is going on in your life and better identify the direction you’d like to be heading. Over time, we will work to move in the direction you’ve identified.
How do I know if I need therapy?
There’s a lot of reasons you might decide you want therapy. You may notice that you’re feeling isolated socially. Or, maybe, you notice things aren’t going well at school or work. You could be having relationship issues with friends, family, or marriage. Perhaps, you find yourself leaning into bad coping methods (e.g., watching too much TV, smoking, or alcohol). Or, you could be experiencing emotional distress. With all my clients, they know something is off in their life and want their life to be different in some way. Together, we can make the life you crave.
How long does therapy usually take to work?
This is such a “it depends” question. The amount of time we spend together is really determined by the symptoms and concerns you present with. On average, I would say that we should meet together at least 10-sessions to start making real change. Some people need more and others need less. Therapy is based on the amount of work you put into.
What is the difference between in-network and out-of-network?
To be in-network, your therapist has to sign a contract with an insurance company saying they will accept a specific rate from the insurance company. Once a contract is established, the therapist agrees to accept payment from the insurance company and will file claims to that company on your behalf.
I have insurance contracts with:
Aetna
Aetna SHP
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Meritain Health
Medcost
What is the difference between a psychologist, social workers, and counselor?
Wow. You want to start a rumble between professions. In general, there’s really not much of a difference between counselors, psychologists, and social workers, but we all are licensed by different groups and have different sets of rules to follow. Our training is also a little different, with different groups proposing different focuses on the origin of suffering and ways to treat it.
I am a psychologist. Generally speaking, psychologists’ training focuses on ensuring accurate diagnosis by way of testing and self-report measures. Psychologists also heavily emphasize Evidence Based Practice (EPB) in graduate school. In our work together, I will sometimes administer a self-report measure to assess our progress and will use EBP to guide our treatment plans.
Overall, research shows there’s no difference in clinical outcomes between the different mental health fields. Just make sure you pick someone who actually holds a license in the state of North Carolina and has formal training in mental health.
What makes you qualified to do this?
I have a lot of degrees and training!
For undergrad, I attended Virginia Tech and graduated with two degrees, including a degree in Psychology and Sociology. My Sociology degree has a concentration in Women’s Studies. I often incorporate a systems lens in my therapeutic approach.
I graduated with a Masters in Clinical Health Psychology from Appalachian State University.
I’m licensed independently as a Licensed Psychological Associate. For short, you can just call me a psychologist.
During my academic career, I worked in anxiety research labs for both children and adults.
In my professional career, I’ve worked in college counseling centers, hospital settings, and private practice.
I have thousands of direct clinical hours and have been practicing over a decade.
Why choose a small Private Practice over large online therapy groups (you know who I’m talking about)?
When you choose to work with a provider in private practice, you are making a declaration that you value fair wages. Large corporate therapy groups often underpay their graduate degree holding clinicians (sometimes as little as $20 an hour).
Furthermore, you are choosing to work with a provider who values confidentiality and HIPPA. There are some large online therapy groups who have been accused of reviewing therapy notes for various unethical reasons. At Tranquil Talk Therapy, all therapy notes are maintained by me. No one has access to these notes but me (and your insurance if they request to see them). I take confidentiality very seriously.
Lastly, when you support a local small business you are investing in your community. On average $68 of every $100 spent at a small business will stay in the community. I am personally committed to supporting small businesses in Winston Salem, North Carolina. By supporting my business, I can help support the dreams of others in the community.