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COMMON FAQ's

Do you accept insurance?

Many of my clients pay for services out-of-pocket.

 

Please visit: https://headway.co/providers/krystle-hearley if you have the following insurance, and would like to utilize your in-network benefits:

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  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (can only be seen virtually)

  • Cigna

  • Empire Blue Cross Clue Shield (can only be seen virtually)

  • Oscar Health

  • Oxford

  • United Healthcare

You do not accept my medical insurance. Why pay out-of-pocket?

Finding a mental health provider that you connect with and trust is most important. Many mental health providers do not work with insurance companies because of (1) the amount of paperwork and time it requires, and (2) the low reimbursement rate. Additionally, out-of-pocket services allow for ultimate confidentiality on behalf of the client -- no entity to report diagnosis codes or treatment progress to.

Why do people go to therapy? How do I know if it is right for me?

People go to therapy for a wide variety of reasons. Sometimes people try therapy because a specific life event or struggle. Sometimes people are struggling with more existential, philosophical questions (i.e. what is the purpose of life?). The over-simplified reason people try therapy is because they are experiencing something that is causing them to feel uncomfortable in some way, and believe they could feel better.

Therapy has the potential to help anyone. Finding a Counselor/Therapist that you connect with, trust, and believe in is the most important ingredient for the process to be of benefit.

How can therapy help me?

Commonly, therapy is a place to explore thought processes and beliefs of the Client. Beliefs shape our thoughts. Thoughts shape our feelings. All of the above affect our actions. A Counselor/Therapist will help a person more deeply explore their thoughts, beliefs, emotions, and actions to build self-awareness, coping skills, self-esteem, acceptance (to name some common results). Therapy can also help a person improve effective communication skills.

How many sessions will I need?

On average, people attend 5 - 20 sessions. The number of sessions a person will attend is highly individualized. A conversation will be held between the Client and Counselor regarding plan for treatment, and will be revisited periodically throughout the counseling process. There is never a contract for a minimum number of sessions. The Client can terminate treatment at any time. In the spirit of practicing effective communication, the Client is encouraged to discuss the plan to end treatment with the Counselor. If the Counselor believes it is time for the Client to "graduate" from treatment, the Counselor will initiate that conversation.

What is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor?

A Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) is a skilled professional that can offer a variety of services, including:

  • Psychotherapy -- "talk therapy" -- professional process to address mental health symptoms, mood symptoms, emotional difficulties

  • Treatment planning -- developing a plan to help the Client achieve specific, measurable, relevant goals

  • Brief and solution-focused therapy -- goal-focused therapy to work through a specific, identifiable problem in the Client's world

  • Alcoholism and substance abuse treatment -- support and services to maintain sobriety

  • Psychoeducation -- providing knowledge about mental health symptoms, moods, and emotional difficulties

  • Crisis management -- on-demand support when a Client is experiencing severe emotional symptoms causing impairment in judgement/decision-making

What education / experience does a Licensed Mental Health Counselor have?

A Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) has:

  1. completed a Graduate-level mental health counseling program from an accredited college.

  2. worked under the supervision of an approved licensed mental health provider for 3,000 hours.

  3. passed the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination.

What is the difference between a Social Worker and a Counselor?

A Counselor generally works with an individual/family/group to address mental health diagnoses and mood symptoms. A Social Worker more often offers a wider range of services within a larger Social Services System.

What is the difference between counseling and therapy?

Mental health counseling and therapy refer to the same general process. Therapy and mental health counseling are common terms used to describe the process of "talk therapy" when a professional helps a client address mental health or emotional symptoms. Counseling can additionally refer to assistance in a specific area of expertise (i.e. couples' counseling, school counseling, vocational counseling).

Have a different question?

Email:  krystle@khmhc.com

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