Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy

You don't have to be in crisis or have everything falling apart to benefit from therapy. Maybe you're feeling overwhelmed, overthinking everything, struggling in your relationships, or simply feeling stuck. Maybe you've noticed patterns in your life that you'd like to change but aren't exactly sure where to start.

Therapy can provide a space to explore what you're experiencing, better understand yourself, and develop ways to navigate life's challenges. Whether you're going through something difficult or just want to work on personal growth, reaching out for support is a great place to start!!!

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Finding the right therapist is important! Therapy is a collaborative process, and you deserve to work with someone you feel comfortable talking to.

I'm an LGBTQ+ affirming therapist in Perrysburg, Ohio, who works with adults navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationships, identity, body image, folx needing support before and after weight loss (either on their own, through surgery and/or GLP-1’s), and other concerns.

My approach is conversational, collaborative, and tailored to your needs. I draw from different therapeutic approaches depending on what you're experiencing and what works best for you.

You don't have to know immediately whether we're a good fit. Sometimes that becomes clearer as we get to know each other. And if I'm not the right therapist for you, that's okay, too!

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One of the biggest concerns people have about starting therapy is being judged for their thoughts, feelings, experiences, or decisions.

My goal is to create a space where you can show up as your genuine and authentic self without feeling like you have to filter everything you say. We all have experiences, behaviors, and thoughts that we may not feel comfortable sharing with others.  You don’t need more judgment from a therapist when the world around us does that!

Our first session is an opportunity for us to begin getting to know each other. I'll ask questions about what brought you to therapy, your background, what you've been experiencing, and what you'd like to get out of our work together.

We'll also review important information about therapy, including confidentiality, practice policies, and any questions you may have.

I might ask a lot of questions (I'm a therapist, after all!), but you don't have to share anything you're not ready or comfortable discussing.  There's no pressure to tell your entire life story during our first meeting. Building a therapeutic relationship takes time, and we'll move at a pace that feels appropriate for you.

That's completely okay! You don't need to arrive at every session with a list of topics or a perfectly organized explanation of what's going on.  That’s not how we typically have conversations with people, right?

Some sessions you might have a lot on your mind and others you might not know where to begin.  That’s okay!

We can start with what's been happening in your life, how you've been feeling, or something you've noticed about yourself recently. Sometimes even the feeling of not knowing what to talk about can lead to a meaningful conversation.

Therapy is something we navigate together. You don't have to carry the responsibility of figuring out every session on your own.

You get to decide what you're ready to share and when.

There may be experiences, memories, or parts of your life that feel uncomfortable or difficult to discuss. That's understandable!  Therapy shouldn't feel like you're being forced to reveal something before you're ready.  (Unless you’re part of the X-men because that’s pretty cool!)

We can explore what's making a topic difficult, work on building trust, or focus on other concerns until you feel more comfortable.  I'll encourage you to explore things that may be important to your growth, but we'll work together and I’ll respect your boundaries throughout the process.

Everyone's experience with therapy is different.  I know, probably not the answer you were looking for, but my name is Phil and not Willy Wonka; sometimes we can’t sugar coat things. Some people begin noticing changes after a few sessions, while others need more time to work through what they're experiencing.

Progress also doesn't always look like feeling happier right away. Sometimes it looks like recognizing a pattern, understanding your emotions, setting a boundary, or responding differently to a situation that previously felt overwhelming.

There may even be times when therapy brings up difficult emotions as we explore important issues.  I check in at the end of our session to ask how things are going, what's helping, and whether we need to adjust our approach.

Long answer short, it depends.

Some people come to therapy to work through a specific concern or life transition and attend for a relatively short period. Others benefit from longer-term support as they explore ongoing challenges, relationships, or personal growth.  Neither is right or wrong, it’s whatever you need!  The length of therapy depends on your goals, the concerns we're addressing, and how things progress.

We'll work together to identify what you want to accomplish and regularly revisit those goals. My goal isn't to keep you in therapy forever, as much as you are probably a lovely person. It's to help you develop the understanding, confidence, and tools to navigate your life in ways that feel meaningful to you.

No. You don't need to already have a mental health diagnosis to reach out for therapy.

People seek counseling for many reasons, including stress, relationship difficulties, identity exploration, major life changes, self-esteem, and personal growth.

During our work together, we'll explore your concerns and determine whether a mental health diagnosis is clinically appropriate.  Please note, if you're planning to use health insurance, your plan may require a qualifying diagnosis and other medical necessity criteria for services to be covered. We can discuss what that means and answer your questions before moving forward!

Schedule a consultation!

Yes! Philosophy Counseling & Consulting, LLC works with several insurance networks through Headway, a platform that helps therapists manage insurance billing and benefits.

My previously established insurance networks through Headway include:

• Aetna

• Anthem / Blue Cross Blue Shield

• Cigna

• Carelon Behavioral Health

• Curative

• The Health Plan

• Independence Blue Cross

• Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield

Coverage depends on your specific insurance plan, network, and eligibility. Some plans may not be available for services in Ohio, even when the insurance company is listed above.

I'm also working toward expanding my insurance participation through additional contracts.  If you're unsure whether I accept your insurance, please reach out! We can review your plan information and determine whether your coverage can be used before scheduling or if self-pay would work better for you.

My standard self-pay rates are:

• Initial intake appointment: $200

• Individual therapy session: $150

If you're using insurance, your out-of-pocket cost may be different depending on your plan's deductible, copayment, coinsurance, and coverage requirements.  I want you to feel informed about the financial side of therapy before we begin. If you have questions about fees or insurance, I'm happy to help you understand your options.

I understand that finances can be a barrier to accessing mental health care and that’s frustrating! Reaching out for support can already feel difficult, and worrying about the cost shouldn't make that decision even harder.

If therapy feels financially out of reach, I encourage you to contact me so we can explore what options might be available.  Depending on your circumstances and my availability, reduced-fee counseling may be an option. If we're unable to find an arrangement that works, I can also help you explore other potential resources for affordable mental health care.

Yes! I offer sliding-scale and reduced-fee therapy for some clients based on individual financial circumstances and availability.

Reduced fees are considered on a case-by-case basis, and arrangements are discussed before beginning services.  If cost is a concern, please don't hesitate to ask. I'm happy to have an open conversation about your situation and whether a reduced-fee arrangement may be possible.

Yes! You can choose to pay for therapy yourself rather than use health insurance, subject to any applicable insurance program or contractual requirements.

Some people prefer self-pay because they want more flexibility or privacy regarding the information shared with their insurance company. Others may have insurance that doesn't cover their preferred therapist.

My standard self-pay rates are $200 for an initial intake appointment and $150 for individual therapy sessions.

For clients who are uninsured or choosing not to use insurance, I provide a Good Faith Estimate of expected charges in accordance with applicable federal requirements.  If you're considering self-pay, we can discuss the costs and any questions you may have before getting started!

Individual therapy appointments at Philosophy Counseling & Consulting, LLC typically last approximately 50–60 minutes.

Your first appointment may involve more questions and information gathering as we begin getting to know each other, explore what brought you to therapy, and discuss what you'd like to accomplish.

Whether we're meeting in person in Perrysburg, Ohio, or through online therapy, our time together is an opportunity to focus on you and what you're experiencing.

That depends on your needs, goals, and what's happening in your life.  Many people begin therapy with weekly appointments to build momentum, establish a therapeutic relationship, and work consistently toward their goals. Others may benefit from meeting every other week or at a different frequency.

We'll discuss what makes sense based on your concerns, progress, availability, and financial considerations.  Therapy isn't one-size-fits-all, and your appointment frequency can change as your needs evolve.

Getting started is simple! You can reach out through my website at www.philosophycounseling.com to inquire about therapy services or request an appointment.

We'll discuss what you're looking for, whether my services might be a good fit, and any questions you have about insurance, fees, or scheduling. Once we're ready to move forward, I'll provide information about the next steps, including completing any necessary intake paperwork before your first appointment.

You don't need to have everything figured out before reaching out. Sometimes sending that first message is the hardest part!

Listen, life happens! Sometimes schedules change, unexpected situations come up, or you need to move an appointment.

If you need to cancel or reschedule, please contact me as soon as possible so we can discuss available options.  Cancellation and missed-appointment policies, including any applicable fees, are outlined in the practice paperwork provided before beginning services and discussed in our first session together.

If you have questions about these policies, I'm happy to review them with you.

In many situations, yes! I offer both in-person therapy in Perrysburg, Ohio, and secure online therapy for adults located throughout Ohio.

Depending on your needs and scheduling availability, we may be able to alternate between in-person and telehealth appointments.  For example, you might prefer meeting in the office most weeks but occasionally need an online session because of work, transportation, or other responsibilities.

If you're using insurance, we'll also need to confirm that your plan covers the appointment format and location.  During telehealth appointments you will need to be located in Ohio (location verified) and in a secure and private location.  We’ll review the telehealth requirements in the event of any telehealth appointments and in the first session.

My goal is to provide flexibility when possible while making sure your sessions are appropriate for your needs.

Yes! Confidentiality is an important part of therapy, and I want you to feel comfortable knowing that your privacy is taken very seriously.  At Philosophy Counseling & Consulting, LLC, your personal and mental health information is protected by applicable privacy laws, including HIPAA and Ohio confidentiality requirements.

In most situations, what we discuss in therapy stays private. There are some legal and safety-related exceptions, which we'll review together before beginning services.

My goal is to create a space where you can speak openly, explore difficult experiences, and ask questions without worrying that your personal information will be shared unnecessarily.

While confidentiality is a fundamental part of counseling, there are certain situations where I may be legally required or permitted to share information.

These situations can include:

• Safety concerns: When there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or another person and disclosure is necessary or permitted to address that risk.  One of my jobs as a therapist is to keep you safe.

• Abuse or neglect: When reporting is required by applicable laws, including certain situations involving children, animals, or vulnerable adults.

• Legal requirements: When information must be disclosed in response to a valid legal requirement, such as certain court orders.

• Healthcare and insurance: Certain information may be shared as permitted or required for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.

There may be other exceptions depending on the circumstances.

We'll review confidentiality and its limitations during the intake process, and you're always welcome to ask questions about how your information is protected.

Sometimes sharing information between healthcare providers can be helpful, especially when you're receiving care from multiple professionals.  If you'd like me to communicate with your psychiatrist, primary care provider, dietitian, or another professional, we can discuss completing a Release of Information (ROI) form. This form identifies who information may be shared with, what information may be disclosed, and the purpose of sharing it.

Although some healthcare information can legally be shared between treating providers without a separate authorization, I generally prefer to discuss care coordination with you and obtain appropriate written permission when applicable.  Coordinating care with other professionals is important to me and I will ask to complete an ROI for those provider(s), however you have the right to deny the request.  You can also ask questions about what information would be shared, and you may revoke an authorization as permitted by law.

If you're experiencing a mental health crisis, having thoughts of suicide, or feeling unable to keep yourself safe, it's important to seek immediate support!

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

You can also call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, for free, confidential crisis support available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Philosophy Counseling & Consulting, LLC is an outpatient counseling practice and does not provide 24-hour crisis intervention or emergency services. Phone calls, email, website inquiries, and routine appointment communications should not be used for emergencies.

You deserve support, and you don't have to navigate a crisis alone.