Frequently Asked Questions

The length of therapy varies depending on the you, and your specific needs.

Many clients begin to notice changes within just a few sessions. The average client spends 1-2 years working with me to achieve their goals. It is not uncommon for clients experiencing CPTSD and PTSD to need much more time to heal. This is normal and quite common.

*Note: Intensive therapy typically sees results in a shorter amount of time due to the extended nature of each session.

​Schedule with me through Alma or Rula -- companies I contract with for insurance verification & billing.

Currently in-network with:

-Aetna

-Cigna

-Oscar

-Optum

-Carelon

-United healthcare

-UMR

-Oxford Health

Those not wishing to use their insurance benefits, can pay for services via Credit, Debit, and HSA cards through Ivy Pay, a HIPAA compliant app that makes payment easy. Once I have added you to my practice as a client, I will send you a link to set up your Ivy Pay account.

Note: An active card is required to remain on file in your Ivy Pay account, and any charges will automatically be billed for any balances to your account at the end of your session.

Please keep in mind that it is your individual responsibility to know the details of your healthcare coverage and you accept responsibility for any co-payment, co-insurance or deductible at the time of service.

Late Cancellations A cancellation is considered late if you cancel less than 24-hours prior to your scheduled appointment time. Reminders for your scheduled appointments are sent as a courtesy, and it is YOUR responsibility to make sure to cancel in a timely manner to avoid late cancellation fees. Because sometimes life happens, I do offer every client one “free” late cancel or no show per treatment year. After your one "freebie", all “late cancels” (less than 24-hours’ notice) will be charged $100. This policy applies even if missing an appointment was an unintentional act. In limited circumstances, I will consider waiving the fee in the event you are experiencing an emergency. I reserve the right to terminate therapy with clients who show a pattern of late cancellations. If you cannot keep your scheduled appointment, please reach out to see if I have the availability to offer a reschedule. Rescheduled sessions are always first come first served and are free of charge.

Missed Appointments If you do not cancel with at least 24 hours' notice and do not show up for your scheduled appointment, this will be considered a missed/failed appointment, also known as a "no show". With text, email, messaging through your client portal, and voicemail, there is always a way to contact me to cancel your appointment, unless in the event of an emergency. As with late cancels, I also offer one "freebie" no show per treatment year. The full session fee will be charged, however, for missed appointments after, and fees will be equal to the fee charged your full session fee. I will also consider waiving the fee in the event you are experiencing an emergency. I reserve the right to terminate therapy with clients who no show three times in a calendar year. If you cannot keep your scheduled appointment, please reach out to see if I have the availability to offer a reschedule. Rescheduled sessions are always first come first served and are free of charge.

Late Cancels & Missed Appointments for Intensives A 50% non-refundable deposit is due at the time you book your Intensive. The remaining 50% is due on the first day of the Intensive. You will be charged the full fee of your scheduled Intensive if cancellation is less than 24 hours or if you no-show the day of your intensive.

Whether you’re looking for regular weekly therapy or diving into some intensive sessions, I’m all about giving you top-notch quality care that’s centered around YOU! I’ve found that creating a laid-back, open, and empowering space makes all the difference in our work together. I like to keep things casual and conversational, so you don’t feel any pressure. Working through past traumas and picking up new skills is way easier when we have that relaxed vibe; it helps you be vulnerable and feel empowered. And hey, if you need to let out a little cursing during our chat, I’m totally fine with that! My main goal is for you to show up just as you are—no masks and no hiding. You’re enough, just as you are, and I want to create a space that really reflects that!

For the purposes of late cancellations and no shows, an emergency is defined as one or more of the following events:

• You are in the emergency room for yourself or an immediate family member

• Someone you take care of suddenly becomes ill

• You are in an automobile accident

• You are in a situation that involves law enforcement or incarceration

• Untimely death

At this time, I am currently in-network with the following insurance companies:

-Aetna

-Cigna

-Oscar

-Optum

-Carelon

-United healthcare

-UMR

-Oxford Health

I contract with Rula and Alma for insurance verification and billing. See my Rula profile here. And my Alma profile here to see if I accept your insurance.

For clients who are paying cash for therapy with me (i.e. not using insurance benefits or those who are seeing me at a reduced rate through Open Path), at your request, I can offer you a "Superbill" (therapy receipt) at the end of every month, summarizing the services and payments you received and paid.

A Superbill might allow you to receive a partial reimbursement of my fees if your insurance carrier/plan offers Out of Network benefits. To inquire about potential insurance reimbursement using Out of Network (OON) benefits, please call your insurance provider for additional help.

*Superbills are not allowed for Intensive Therapy Packages. You will be required to sign an "opt out" form for any insurance reimbursements upon booking.

These are some questions you can ask when you call your insurance company to see if your plan offers Out of Network benefits:

• What are my mental health benefits?

• What is my coverage amount per therapy session?

• Does my plan cover telehealth therapy?

• How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?

• How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?

• Is pre-approval required from my primary care physician?

When deciding how to pay for therapy, you can choose between using insurance or paying out of pocket, and both options have their pros and cons. With insurance, you usually pay only a copay for each session, which can save you money, but there can be limits on how many sessions you get and the types of treatments covered. Also, your insurance company gets to access some of your personal information, which could affect your privacy.

On the other hand, paying privately means you can often avoid these restrictions and keep your therapy more confidential, choosing any therapist you like without worrying about their insurance network. However, you’ll need to pay the full fee for sessions upfront, which can be more expensive. Private pay also gives you more flexibility in how often you meet and allows for different treatment styles without the red tape of insurance. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your personal situation and what you value more—cost savings or privacy and flexibility--and that's entirely up to YOU!

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are choosing not to use insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.

• You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.

• If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.

• Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 800-985-3059.

For Alma & private pay clients, your sessions will be held through Doxy.me telehealth platform. You will receive one link that is used for each and every appointment--and the link never changes! No apps are needed to be downloaded. Just copy the link into your browser bar and voilà! You are in the waiting room!

For Rula Clients, your sessions will be held through Zoom, linked in your client portal.

Each platform is secure and HIPAA compliant.

Crisis care is not provided at Inner Strength Counseling, as services are given as outpatient therapy. Clients who currently or frequently experience mental health crises are not appropriate for telehealth care and should seek a higher level of support than what is provided at Inner Strength Counseling. Please see the Resources page for support in getting connected to care.

Non-urgent calls, emails, and texts will be returned within 24 business hours. In the event of a medical or psychiatric emergency involving a threat to your safety or the safety of others, please go to the nearest ER, call 911, or contact 988, the National Suicide Prevention hotline for immediate assistance. If your situation does not warrant the above solutions but you would like additional time for processing, you can contact me to schedule an additional session during regular business hours.

Although I am dedicated to helping many individuals navigate their challenges, there are specific circumstances in which I do not work with clients. Here’s a clear outline of who I do not work with in my telehealth practice:

• Individuals in Crisis: If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or are in immediate danger of harming yourself or others, I recommend seeking emergency services or contacting a crisis hotline for immediate support. Call 911, go to the nearest ER, or see my Resources page for links and numbers.

• Substance Abuse Disorders: I specialize in certain areas of mental health but do not provide treatment specifically for individuals struggling with substance abuse or addiction.

• Severe Personality Disorders: Clients presenting with severe or complex personality disorders may require specialized approaches beyond my scope of practice.

• Legal Issues: I do not provide therapy for clients who are involved in legal proceedings where therapy information may be used in court, nor do I provide court-mandated therapy.

• Children and Adolescents: My practice focuses primarily on adult clients, specifically Millennials (ages 29-44) and Gen X'ers (ages 45-60) and I do not work with children or teenagers.

• Couples Therapy: I do not specialize in couples therapy and recommend seeking a therapist with specific training and experience in working with relationships.

I also do not work with clients who are experiencing the following challenges, as they are beyond my scope of practice:

• Current & ongoing Self-harm Behaviors

• Eating disorders like Bulimia and Anorexia

• Domestic Violence

• Psychosis

• Thought disorders like Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective disorder

At this time, I also do not offer:

• Disability Evaluations

• Fitness for Duty or Return to work evaluations

• Letters for Emotional Support or Service Animals

• Letters for Gender Affirming Surgery

If you have a concern or are unsure if you fall into any of these categories, please feel free to reach out to me at jmcneil@counselinginnerstrength.com and I'd be happy to talk with you or connect you to other resources who may be able to help!

Appointments can be made by calling my office, sending me an email, or submitting an appointment request through this website. After our free 15-minute phone consult to explore your reasons for seeking therapy and seeing if we'd be a good fit to work together, I will send you a link to your client portal where you can complete your intake paperwork. This packet must be signed, completed, and submitted before our first session together, or your initial intake session will be rescheduled. These documents include:

• Informed Consent

• Counselor Disclosure statement

• Financial Responsibility agreement

• Attendance policy agreement

• Personal Information form

• Telehealth Consent form

Weekly sessions are established depending on therapist availability and client preferences. Sessions will be scheduled for the same time every week for ease of scheduling but reschedule options are available on a first come first serve basis, when available.

Note: If care coordination between your therapist and a member of your medical team is appropriate or desired, a Release of Information (ROI) form and an Electronic Authorization form will also be required.

Choosing the right therapist is a deeply personal decision, and I want to make that process easier for you. That’s why I offer a 15-minute consultation. During our phone call, we will talk about what you’re looking for in therapy and determine if my approach aligns with your needs. During our conversation, I’ll explain how I can help you work toward your goals. If it doesn’t seem like the right fit, I’ll gladly help you explore other options. Either way, you’ll leave the call with something valuable.

Pricing varies based on session length & format. I believe in full transparency, and if you are not using insurance benefits to pay for services, I’ll provide you with a detailed estimate (GFE) before we begin your therapy.

My rates are as follows:

• $225 for initial intake session with a comprehensive clinical assessment

• $170 for 60 min sessions.

Using Insurance for payment:

Weekly or bi-weekly psychotherapy services are usually covered by insurance plans. It is your responsibility to confirm your coverage and whether we are in-network or out-of-network. It helpful to contact your insurance provider to understand your mental health benefits and coverage details.

• I can provide you with the necessary paperwork (superbills or receipts) to submit to your insurance for reimbursement if you are paying upfront for your services. You are responsible for filing superbill claims with your insurance company, as this is not a service I currently offer.

• If insurance doesn’t cover our services and you have difficulty paying my rates, I offer sliding scale fees through Open Path Psychotherapy Collective to make therapy more affordable. These spots are offered on a limited basis and are "first come first served". A do maintain a waitlist, should spaces be full and you desire reduced-fee care.

• Depending on your insurance plan, you may have copays, deductibles, or coinsurance. We recommend verifying your benefits beforehand to understand your financial responsibility.

Intensive Packages:

Intensive packages are considered premium services and are not covered by insurance benefits. Intensives are private pay only & you will be required to sign an insurance "opt-out" for, stating that you will not try to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.

• 50% of the cost is due at time of booking and the other 50% is due at least two weeks before the start of our pre-intensive session.

My Intensive Package rates are as follows:

3-day Intensive Package: $1200

5-day Intensive Package $2400

*Weekend Intensives are available at 1.5x my private pay rate