Do you offer teletherapy or online counseling sessions?

Yes, we use a secure HIPPA-compliant platform to offer video counseling.

Do you accept insurance?

We currently do not accept insurance at this time. Please go to our Rates and Insurance page to learn more about why we do not take insurance. We will give you a Superbill to file for out-of-network benefits.

How do I know if I really need to see a counselor?

We all need a fresh voice in our lives from time to time.  Maybe you are struggling with a loss, trying to overcome a daunting challenge, or seeking guidance on a future decision.  A counselor can help you understand better why you do what you do and how to best steer yourself in the direction you most want to go.  If we do not find a safe outlet to explore and understand our grief, pain, hopes, and dreams then we typically isolate and ultimately wither.  I urge you NOT to surrender your identity and worth so easily. If you have grown quiet, let me help you find your voice again.  Maybe you have withdrawn from the world, let me help you re-engage. Perhaps you have lost the ability to dream of better days, let me help you rediscover hope.

What’s the difference between talking to you or my best friend or family?

Talking with an objective third party as opposed to family or friends has some distinct advantages.  When processing with people that we are intimately involved, we tend to censor or manage our thoughts and emotions in an effort to minimize disruption to the relationship.  In counseling, you can speak freely without hesitation or concern for the backlash from unfiltered honesty. Counselors listen without judgment and ask questions that help clients sort through the raw material they excavate in counseling. While friends and family often focused on helping you find a quick solution or explanation, a good counselor will take the time to help you identify probable causes, implement effective coping skills and inspire new perspectives and possibilities.

If I commit to counseling, what can I expect? How can I get the most out of counseling?

The ultimate goal of counseling is to apply what you learn in sessions to your life.  If you commit to honest reflection and resolve to change what you can, you will quickly see a difference in your internal reality and eventually in your experience of the external world. Your progress will depend greatly on your personal investment in the process.  The more attention you give to your personal growth and healing, the better you will become.  At times you may be encouraged to journal your thoughts and feelings, listen to a podcast, read a book or engage in self-care activities to promote progress, but the decision to participate will always be yours to make.

How often do I meet with the counselor?

We have found that meeting weekly improves clients’ progress toward their goals. For that reason, we meet with clients weekly. We establish a set time to meet each week and that will be our reoccurring weekly appointment.

How long can I expect each counseling session to last?

We offer 53-minute sessions.  The number of sessions needed to address your needs will depend on the intensity and volume of issues you bring to counseling. 

How does counseling work? What happens in a counseling session?

When you schedule your first appointment, you will sign into a secure online client portal and fill out and sign all the forms necessary to begin counseling. We ask that these forms are filled out 24 hours before your first appointment. These forms will provide me with some initial information about you and give you some additional information about the counseling process.

In our first session, it will be important to answer some preliminary questions regarding your personal story and what has brought you to Embrace Calmness Counseling, LLC. Coming to a shared understanding of expectations and goals for sessions is helpful in determining the pace and approach that would work best for you and the issues you identify as pressing.  We will typically pose questions to give some direction and structure to our time together, and at the conclusion of each session, we will review our progress and agree on appropriate action steps.

Will my counseling sessions be confidential?

Absolutely.  Confidentiality is crucial for a productive, safe counseling relationship. Confidentiality creates a space for vulnerability and honesty, which are prerequisites for growth and healing.  I will hold all you disclose in our sessions in strict confidence unless (1) you direct me to tell someone else and you sign a “Release of Information” form; (2) I determine that you are a danger to yourself or to others; (3) you report information about the abuse of a child, an elderly person, or a disabled individual who may require protection; or (4)  A judge orders me to disclose information;

How do I schedule an appointment?

You can call (475) 441-5714. If we do not answer, please leave a message on our confidential voicemail. We will return your call as soon as possible. You can also send an email at sehee@embracecalmness.com requesting an appointment.

What if I need to cancel my counseling appointment?

We have a 24-hour cancellation policy, but we understand that is not always possible because, well… “life happens.” We do have a very firm 24-hour cancellation policy, so if you need to cancel for any reason, make sure you give us 24 hours notice to avoid paying the late cancellation fee, which is the full session rate. We offer phone and video sessions in case something happens last minute that prevents you from coming to your appointment.

What is the difference between a counselor and a psychiatrist?

A counselor's training helps people articulate their struggles and assist them through difficult seasons and situations in life.  They focus more on providing support and direction for common life issues like relationship conflicts, identity crises, depression, recovery, etc. Psychiatrists specialize in the treatment of severe mental issues and are authorized to prescribe psychiatric medications since they are medical doctors.

How do I know if I should take medication?

That is a decision for you to make with guidance from your doctor and psychiatrist.  They have the training and authority to advise you on what is best for your health and happiness on those particular treatment options. However, it is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems often requires more than medication. While medication can help manage symptoms, counseling addresses the root of our brokenness and provides new perspectives on old behaviors. I believe that long-term stability and growth are best achieved with an integrative approach that includes counseling and medication as needed.

How much should we expect our total treatment to cost?

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

• Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. 

• You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services.

• You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a 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 https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises. 

You will be provided a Good Faith Estimate when you sign up for services and any other time you request one, including before signing up for services. We recommend at least 3 sessions, the average number of sessions for our practice is 12, and the exact number you will need depends on your individual circumstances and needs.