Q: How will I know the right therapist for me?

A: The only way to know for sure is to come in for a session. Most people have a good sense of whether the therapist is the right professional to help them within the first two sessions. Also, our therapists have attempted to provide a sense of who they are and how they work on this website.

Q: Whom do you work with?

A: Atlas Therapy is specifically designed for: working class adults/corporate executives, parents, families, high school and college students, people with persistent depression and anxiety, people with mental challenges, children, and the LGBTQ+ community. We do not conduct child custody evaluations, nor do we provide custody recommendations. We also do not provide treatment for eating disorders, psychotic disorders (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, etc.), or personality disorders. Due to state licensing laws, we can only provide therapy and counseling to individuals residing in Indiana.

Q: What happens during the first session?

A: The initial session is the time for you to start to share your story and what you would like to change. You will begin to figure out some goals; your therapist will begin to figure out how to help you get there. During the first session, your therapist will review the opening paperwork (similar to what you sign at most doctor's offices), talk about confidentiality, and begin asking questions to get background and a bigger picture of what is going on. Questions might include things like: What brought you to therapy? What do you feel is wrong in your life? What are your symptoms?  We may talk about your history, including childhood, education, career, and relationships (family, romantic, friends). At the end of the first session, there will be a discussion regarding a plan for future treatment including frequency of sessions. If the client is a minor, the parent is typically present for the first and last part of the session; the client and therapist will meet one-on-one for a brief time if minor is comfortable. 

Q: How long do appointments last?

A: Standard counseling sessions are 45-55 minutes long. 

Q: How often will we meet? And how long do I have to be in therapy?

A:  To begin, generally, sessions generally occur once a week. It’s important to gain some momentum in the beginning by meeting weekly. Once some of your goals are met, meeting less often will make sense. Most clients report seeing some change after about 8 sessions, and the average duration of treatment is 6-9 months (starting weekly, moving to every other week, then monthly or as needed). The length of treatment is based on your needs and what you want counseling to help with. Some clients have come for a few sessions, followed through with recommendations in between sessions, and felt better and moved on. Other clients come back into treatment as needed or stayed on to work on more complex issues. While it’s hard to predict how long therapy will take, we promise we won’t keep you for longer than needed.

Q: Can we meet virtually? Do you provide online counseling?

A: We conduct many sessions online using a secure video system (similar to Zoom or Skype). This is only available to clients who are physically located in Indiana and is not appropriate for clients traveling out-of-state. If using insurance, most in-state plans cover “telemedicine” as a part of your mental health/behavioral health benefit. Please make sure to have high speed internet access and a confidential room. Nancy only offers telehealth sessions at this time. 

Q: Do you accept insurance?

A: Our providers accept most major insurances, to see which provider accepts your insurance go to the team page. 

When we accept insurance: Atlas Therapy will bill these insurance companies directly for services provided. For other health plans not listed, we're considered an out-of-network provider. We'd be happy to provide you with a "Superbill" to submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. It is strongly recommended that you call your insurance company and ask for information about your plan's coverage for mental health in an outpatient office setting; this will help you know if your deductible will apply and what your copay may be. Anything not covered by insurance will be the responsibility of the client and will be charged to their credit card on file unless other arrangements are pre-made. 

Q: What is the cancellation policy?

A: Atlas Therapy requires 24 hours' notice of cancellation, or you will need to pay for the appointment. An occasional exception may be made in the case of an emergency. This policy is in place because it is important that we meet consistently in order to make progress, this is how we make our living, and other clients may need that time slot. Medicaid clients will not be charged a no show fee, however, after two late cancellations/no shows you may be discharged from services.

Q: Do you prescribe medication?

A: No, we are not medical doctors. Many clients find medication is helpful and we often refer to doctors for such assessments, but many of them also progress well in therapy without medication. If you want to be evaluated for psychiatric medication, either contact your primary care physician or a psychiatrist. If you are already taking medication, we can coordinate care with your doctor.

Q: What are your privacy practices?

A: In general, your services are confidential but there are many limits to confidentiality including if you are going to hurt yourself, someone else, or children are being harmed. Additionally, information will be disclosed upon request from client. For a full review click here.

Standard Notice: “Right to Receive a Good Faith Estimate of Expected Charges” Under the No Surprises Act

Beginning January 1, 2022:  If you’re uninsured or you pay for health care bills yourself ("self-pay"; you don’t have your claims submitted to your health insurance plan), providers and facilities must provide you with an estimate of expected charges before you receive an item or service.  

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost 

Under this law, health and mental health care providers need to give clients who don’t have insurance or who are not using 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. 

• Make sure your health or mental health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health or mental health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service. 

• 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 HHS at (800) 368-1019.