Getting started
What happens between your first call and your first session, and what stays private.
- Book a free 15-minute callPick a time online or leave a message. A therapist calls you, or meets you by video, at that time. Tell us as much or as little as you like.
- Fill out a few formsWe email a secure link to our client portal: contact details, a short history and our consent form. It takes about 20 minutes.
- Your first sessionSixty minutes. Your therapist asks about what brought you in, your life now and what you’d like to be different. You can ask questions too, and you don’t have to tell everything at once.
- A plan togetherBy the second or third session we agree on goals and how often to meet. We check in on how it’s going every few months.
In person or by video
At the office
Ring the bell and take a seat in the waiting area; your therapist will come and get you. There’s water and tea, and a restroom on the same floor.
2041 Atwood Avenue, Madison, WI 53704
By video
You get a private link before each session; no app or account needed. Find a quiet place with headphones. Because of licensing, you need to be in Wisconsin during the session.
Many people mix the two, for example video in winter or on busy weeks.
What stays private
What you say in sessions stays with your therapist. We don’t share it with your employer, family, school or anyone else without your written permission.
There are a few limits, set by law. We may have to act if we believe you’re at serious risk of harming yourself or someone else, if a child or a vulnerable adult is being harmed, or if a court orders your records. When we can, we talk with you first.
Notes are kept in a secure, encrypted record system. Email and text aren’t fully private, so we use them for scheduling only.
Questions
Anything else, ask on the free call or send us a message.
Do you take insurance?
We’re out of network, so we don’t bill insurance directly. You pay at each session, and we send a monthly superbill you can submit to your plan for any out-of-network benefits.
What is a superbill?
A detailed receipt with the dates, fees and codes your insurance plan needs to pay you back. You send it to your plan yourself; most let you upload it online.
How does the sliding scale work?
Each therapist keeps a few lower-fee spots, from $90 to $150 a session. Tell us on the free call what you can afford. We don’t ask for proof of income.
Is video therapy as helpful as meeting in person?
For most people and most concerns, yes. Some people prefer the room; others find it easier to talk from home. You can switch between the two.
How long does therapy take?
It depends on what you come with. Some people come for 8 to 12 sessions for one clear problem; others stay longer. We review progress with you every few months.
Can you prescribe medication?
No. We’re therapists, not prescribers. With your permission, we work alongside your doctor or psychiatrist, and can suggest one if you need it.
Do you see teenagers?
Yes, from 14. A parent or guardian joins the first session, and we agree together what will be shared with parents and what stays private.
What if I need to cancel?
Give us 24 hours’ notice and there’s no charge. Later cancellations and missed sessions cost $85, which we waive for illness or emergencies.