How much are sessions?

The first session is usually 50-55 minutes and is $185.

All sessions after this will be roughly 45 minutes long and are $150.

Do you take insurance?

I do not currently accept insurance as I have found that dealing with insurance companies takes my time away from doing what I love the most, working with my clients. I am able to provide a “super bill” at the end of each month that you can send to your insurance company to access any out of network benefits you may have.

What Questions should I ask my insurance about my out of network benefits?

• Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits?

• Are services rendered by a licensed professional counselor covered? My license in the state of VA is 0701007630

• Is any pre-approval required before obtaining out-of-network mental health services in order to be reimbursed?

• If I have out-of-network benefits, will I be reimbursed the full amount I paid or a portion?

• Do I have a deductible and if so, what is it?

What happens when I call?

When you first reach out to me we will talk about the struggles that you or your child are currently facing. I am always happy to share some information about what I do in my role as therapist and how I might help in your specific situation. This helps us both see if we would be a good fit for each other. I hope to answer any questions you may have about therapy with me, the process etc.

If you feel I will be a good fit, I will email you a link to my intake paperwork that will get you started.

What can I expect from my first session?

In our first session I aim to listen as much as possible and hear about your story and what brought you to therapy. I will sometimes ask questions to gather more information or clarify if necessary. We will talk about current struggles, in addition to challenges in the past. We will also talk about what you hope to gain from therapy, your goals will be the driving force behind all of our work together. We will also cover some of the housekeeping items such as confidentiality, informed consent, scheduling next sessions etc.

What is your cancellation policy?

If you need to cancel your session, please do so within a 24-hour window. This will allow other clients to use the canceled time slot when needed. If you cancel in less than 24-hours, you will be charged a full session fee. I try to be understanding when emergencies or illnesses arise so please call or email me to discuss things further if needed.

How do I pay?

When you complete your paperwork in my electronic health record there is an option to add a credit card. This can be automatically run after each session, you will receive an invoice and a monthly statement.

How can I access my client portal?

Client portal can found at https://nicholas-searle.clientsecure.me/ Here you can type in your email address and you will be emailed a secure link with which you can view billing documents and upload reports.

Good Faith Estimate

In compliance with the No Surprises Act which became effective January 1, 2022, healthcare providers are required to notify clients of their federal rights and protections against “surprise billing.”

The No Surprises Act requires that I inform you orally and in writing of your federally protected rights to receive a notification when services are rendered by an out-of-network provider, whether a client is uninsured or elects not to use their insurance.

Nicholas Searle Counseling PLLC does not participate with any insurance plan; therefore, I am an out-of-network provider.

Additionally, the No Surprises Act requires that we provide you with a Good Faith Estimate of the expected cost of our services.  You will receive a formal Good Faith Estimate of costs for our services when you schedule your first appointment.  

As you may anticipate, it is difficult to determine the length of treatment for mental health care. Each client has different needs, and different goals for treatment.  Ultimately, each client has a right to decide how long they would like to participate in mental health care. As such, the Good Faith Estimate you will receive will include a detailed fee schedule for the services typically offered.

In accordance with the No Surprises Act, if you receive a bill for services, that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate you can dispute the bill.

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate and this federal requirement, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.