What populations do you work with?

At Heal ATL, we specialize in working with adult individuals, couples, and teens 14+. Please see our therapists’ individual pages for more specific information.

What issues can you help me with?

Our therapists have expertise in working with a variety of difficult issues and disorders.  Please see their individual pages for more specific information. 

What are your Session fees?

Our session fees vary based on therapist training and experience, but average between $135 - $200 for 45-50 minute sessions and $200-$350 for new client (initial intake) 90-minute sessions. We do have a limited number of reduced fee openings for low income clients or those with demonstrated financial need, so please reach out to us if finances are a barrier.

We are "out of network" with all insurance plans. All fees are due in full on the date of service.  In the event that you are unable to keep an appointment, you must notify your therapist at least 24 hours in advance.  If advance notice is not received, you will be financially responsible for the full payment of the session you missed.

We are now partnered with Mentaya to help clients save money by using their out-of-network insurance benefits to save money on therapy. Use the Benefits Checker to see if you qualify for reimbursement for our services.

What are your hours?

We work by appointment only. Each therapist’s schedule is different. Appointments are currently available days, nights, and weekends.

WHY ONLINE THERAPY?

Telehealth (online therapy) is convenient because it enables you to receive the same quality care as in an office, in the comfort of your own home or anywhere, on your own time. With your busy schedule and demands of daily life, online therapy increases access to mental health treatment!

If my home is not private enough can I attend my session IN my car, office, or while outdoors?

Yes!

How Does ONLINE THERAPY WORK?

We can have sessions from anywhere that you have an internet connection, video-enabled device, and a private place to talk! Once we have set an appointment, you will receive an email with directions and a link to your session. Everything else works much like in-person therapy. 

IS online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?

Yes!  Research shows that therapy via online video or phone can be just as effective as in-person sessions.

What will my first session be like?

Your therapist will prepare for your first session by reviewing your answers to the initial paperwork you completed online.  Before your first online session, you will receive an email from your therapist with directions on how to access our secure and confidential online platform for telemental health. You can expect your therapist to have questions to jumpstart the first session, and to get deeper into your story and your goals for counseling. Our therapists will spend the first minutes of the first session going over informed consent so that you are aware of your rights as well as our office policies and procedures.

Counseling can be anxiety-provoking for many new clients, so it is not unusual to feel nervous or uncomfortable before the first session. Once you start to form a relationship with your therapist and learn what to expect from each session, the nerves will decrease.  Congratulate yourself for having the courage to make the appointment and for initiating change in your life!

How CAN I PREPARE FOR MY ONLINE SESSION?

You can prepare for your first session by completing the client history and all required forms online beforehand, as well as prepare a list of any questions you may have. Check out this graphic on our Heal ATL Instagram for more tips to help you prepare for your online session!

Why do you not take insurance?

There are several reasons why we are not in network with any insurance plans. 

  • Insurance companies require a mental health disorder diagnosis, which will stay with your permanent health record. 

  • They also require information about your qualifying symptoms and specific work in counseling.  

  • Not involving insurance companies is the only way to assure your utmost confidentiality. 

  • You and your counselor will have the ability to decide the type and time-frame of treatment that would be the most effective for you, rather than an employee  at the insurance company limiting the number of sessions and the type of therapy you receive. 

  • In addition to these important clinical reasons, not filing insurance allows us to keep our self-pay rates as affordable as possible.

    The practitioners at Heal ATL are "out of network" with all insurance plans. If you have verified that your plan has out of network mental health coverage and would still like to utilize your insurance to cover some of the cost of our services, we will gladly provide you with a superbill for services for you to submit to your insurance for reimbursement. We have also partnered with Mentaya if you would like to have your out-of-network claims filed on your behalf! Please know that even if your insurance company offers out of network benefits, they may apply your payment toward your deductible or deny your reimbursement and we are not liable for those charges that you have already incurred.

TO LEARN MOre ABOUT Your Rights and Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills, PLEASE vISIT THIS LINK:

HealATL.com/nosuprisesact

 

What is mentaya?

Mentaya is a service we have partnered with that streamlines getting reimbursed for your therapy sessions through out-of-network benefits. See if you qualify. Mentaya is perfect if you:

• Have out of network insurance benefits

• Feel overwhelmed by superbills and insurance

• Have submitted superbills but failed to get any reimbursement

• Simply want to skip the hassle of paperwork!

Here's how it works:

1. Sign up for Mentaya:

2. Our practice will enter your sessions into the platform.

3. Mentaya submits the claim and handles any insurance follow-up.

4. You get reimbursed by insurance!

Mentaya charges a 5% fee per claim, which includes handling any paperwork required, dealing with denials, and calling insurance companies. It's risk-free: They guarantee claims are successfully submitted, or a full refund of their fees.

IS your Online platform for TeleMental Health Counseling & therapy secure & Confidential?

Yes! Our online platform for facilitating telemental health services is secure and confidential!

What is your confidentiality & Privacy Policy?

We are 100% committed to maintaining and safeguarding your confidentiality and privacy. This is both a personal commitment and a legal obligation as the law protects the relationship between client and therapist. No information can be disclosed without your explicit & written permission.

However, we are legally obligated to report any child abuse, dependent abuse or elderly abuse that is taking place; as well as any reported threat of serious bodily harm to yourself, or to another person(s).

How many sessions will I need?

The answer to this questions depends on several factors and varies from person to person.  Your goals for therapy, the severity of the issues discussed, and your openness to actively participate in your treatment and complete homework assignments are all factors in the length of treatment.  Your level of motivation and willingness to apply what is learned during sessions to your life also has a large influence on the number of sessions. 

Our goal is help you meet your goals as quickly as possible, so we will continually review our treatment goals collaboratively with you to assess your progress and to determine if treatment needs to be adjusted in any way.

What is an LPC?

The acronym LPC stands for Licensed Professional Counselor.  This credential is issued by the Georgia Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage & Family Therapists.  An LPC has earned a masters degree in a counseling-related program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and passed the National Counseling Exam (NCE). 

The Licensed Professional Counselor has successfully worked for a minimum of three years under direction and supervision to earn this credential, and continued education is required yearly to maintain licensure. 

What is an APC?

The acronym APC stands for Associate Professional Counselor.  This credential is issued by the Georgia Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage & Family Therapists.  An APC has earned a masters degree in a counseling-related program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and passed the National Counseling Exam (NCE). 

The Associate Professional Counselor then works for three years under direction and supervision, 3000 counseling hours and 105 supervision hours, to earn the credential of a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).  Continued education is required yearly to maintain licensure. 

What is an NCC?

The acronym NCC stands for National Certified Counselor and means that the counselor has passed the National Counseling Exam (NCE) and has earned a masters degree in a counseling-related program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP). 

The purpose of the National Counseling Exam is to assess knowledge, abilities, and skills viewed as critical for providing effective counseling services.  This credential is issued by the National Board of Certified Counselors.

what is a “psychotherapist”?

What is the difference between a psychiatrist, psychologist, and psychotherapist?

Are Psychotherapists, counselors, and therapists the same thing?

A psychotherapist is any mental health professional who provides “talk therapy” to help individuals, couples, or families to resolve a variety of issues. The terms professional counselors, therapist and psychotherapist are often used interchangably to describe the role associated with talk therapy.  Individuals that hold these titles must have a graduate degree and hold the proper professional license within their state to practice psychotherapy. 

The differences between professionals relate to the years of education, degree, ability (or not) to prescribe medication or to do psychological testing. A psychologist has a master’s and doctoral degree in psychology, provides talk therapy, and can also provide psychological testing.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has additional training in psychiatry; they specialize in treating mood disorders, can do talk therapy, and are the only clinician in the above list with the ability to prescribe medication to combat mood disorders (including depression).  All professionals above require graduate degress, many hours of clinical training, and a professional license by the state they reside in to provide you services. 

Any other questions?

We invite you to call us anytime at 833-HEAL-ATL.  To schedule your first session, click here!  We look forward to holding space for you as you grow and heal!