Online Counseling for Sensitive, Introverted Women

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​​​What can I expect in our first session?

 

Prior to your first online session, you will log onto the client portal and complete your intake paperwork. This will include filling out a form about your personal history and current issues you would like to address.

 

Before logging on to our first video session, I encourage you to relax and surround yourself with creature comforts, like a soft blanket, mug of tea and your pet if you have one.  I will go over your answers from your intake paperwork with you and what you are hoping to get from counseling.

 

You will get a chance to get deeper into your story, discuss your goals for therapy and determine whether I am the best fit to help you achieve them. ​​We both have to feel we are a good fit. If that is not the case, I am more than happy to provide you with referrals.

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Going forward, we may do EMDR (eye movement desensitization reprocessing), CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) or other talk therapies. Regardless of the type of therapy, every HSP online counseling session will likely have plenty of laughs, possibly some tears, and "aha" moments.

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How often will we meet?

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We will typically meet online once per week for at least the first few months. After that, together we will re-access to see if we will continue to meet weekly or step down to every other week and then monthly.

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How long will I be in online counseling?

 

It depends. I know you were probably hoping for a hard, fast number of sessions but everyone is different. What I can tell you is that I work with amazing women, most of whom have had a less-than-ideal childhood. Usually, when issues stem from our family-of-origin it can take months to years to undo the damage and re-train our brains.

 

When working with HSPs, I focus on long-term therapy and not quick fixes. I believe if we can identify where some of our negative messages came from, we can begin to change the way we see the world and ourselves. This takes time but can have positive, permanent results.

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Are there any topics in  therapy that are off limits?

 

Only if you decide there are. I will never pressure you to talk about anything you are not ready or willing to address.

 

However, you are free to discuss any topics you wish; no matter how embarrassing or shaming they may feel to you. After many years in this field I’m pretty much unshockable. :)

 

My job is never to judge you; rather it is to help you remember you are not alone. If I haven’t thought it, imagined it or done it myself, I have probably counseled someone who has. So let’s get it all out, there’s absolutely nothing to be ashamed of!

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I’ve tried counseling before but it didn’t work.  What makes you different?

 

Good question! I am definitely not the online therapist for everyone. Sometimes counseling does not work for us because the therapist wasn’t the right fit. Having a genuine connection with the therapist and feeling safe enough to open up, be vulnerable and present your true self is important.

 

If we detect the slightest chance of being judged, we tend to shut down. It is super important to me that my clients know that no matter what they tell me, my positive opinion about them will never waiver. I have made many, many, many mistakes in my past (and even today), so who am I to judge?

 

In addition, most of my clients have had some success with previous therapists. What seems to be the missing piece is that their therapist was not Highly Sensitive or was not familiar with the HSP trait.

 

Here are a few blog posts from GoodTherapy.com that may help when it comes to choosing an online counselor:

 

• How to find a therapist - https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/how-to-find-a-therapist/

• 50 Signs of Good Therapy - https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/50-signs-good-therapy-0110119/

• Warning Signs of Bad Therapy - https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/warning-signs-of-bad-therapy/

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Is it true that I may feel worse before I feel better?

 

Unfortunately, yes that is possible. Think of it like pouring disinfectant into a wound. Initially the sting of the disinfectant is worse than the pain of the wound. However, you need to go through that initial sting in order for the wound to be properly cleaned out so it can appropriately heal. Without the disinfectant, it may still heal but it will eventually become infected, leaving the wound to fester.

 

The same can be said of a deep cut on your hand. The cut hurts, but getting stitches hurts even worse. It is a temporary pain that is necessary for the cut to heal quickly and correctly. Without stitches, the chance for the cut to re-open increases, thus slowing the healing process.

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​​How much does an online therapy session cost?

 

A 60-minute online counseling session is $160.

 

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Do you offer sliding scale or reduced fees?

 

Unfortunately, I do not offer those options.  I understand that therapy can be a significant budgetary commitment for many, but I believe it is a worthwhile investment for something that can impact the quality of your life and relationships.  HSP Online Counseling is an investment in your future, like buying real estate or saving money in a 401K.  And just like those forms of investment, HSP online therapy can yield a great return on investment, so I charge accordingly.  

 

With that said, I realize that not everyone can afford to work with me.  Below are links to directories with providers that can financially accommodate individuals that need sliding scale or reduced fee services.

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Two good resources for finding low cost therapy options are:

 

• Open Path Collective - https://openpathcollective.org/ 

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• Therapy Den – www.therapyden.com – you can enter in the amount you are able to pay in the

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Do you accept health insurance?

 

At this time, I only accept most United HealthCare (UHC, Oxford, UMR, Oscar), most Aetna, and Hawaii's HMSA. I can offer you a receipt (also referred to by insurance companies as a "Superbill") to submit for reimbursement if you have out-of-network benefit coverage.

 

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If I don't have UHC, Aetna, or HMSA, can my insurance cover at least part of the fee?  

 

Possibly!  If you have health insurance you may have out-of-network mental health coverage.  If you do, here is how it will likely work.  At the time of your session you would pay for your service ($160 for 60-minutes) directly to me, Sensitive Soul Therapy.  At the end of each month I will provide you with a receipt ("Superbill") that you submit to your insurance company. 

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If there is a deductible, the insurance company will apply the amount you paid to that deductible amount.  If you have met your deductible, or there is no deductible, the insurance company will reimburse you for some or most of your session fees.  

 

I make no guarantee that you will receive out-of-network reimbursement (or how much reimbursement) from your insurance company.  Every insurance company is different and every insurance plan varies. 

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How do I find out if I have Out-of-Network benefits?

 

Call the customer service number listed on the back of your insurance card.  Click here to find some questions you may want to ask.

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How do I set up a free 20-minute consultation?

 

Reach out on the "Contact" page and tell me a little bit about why you are seeking to start therapy and your availability.

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What is your appointment cancellation policy? 

 

Cancellations must be at least 24 hours in advance.  You will be charged for the full session ($160) if less than 24 hours notice is given.  There is no charge if you cancel or reschedule your appointment with at least 24 hours notice.

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When are your online therapy sessions? 

Sessions are typically available at 10:30am, 12:00pm, 1:30pm, 3:00pm and 4:15pm (EST), Monday through Thursday.  I am located on the East Coast so all session times are Eastern Time. 

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​What states do you do therapy? 

I work with sweet, shy, introverted, empathic HSPs and INFJ's who live in Florida, New Jersey and Hawaii (Maui, Oahu, Big Island, Kauai, Moloka'i, Lanai) through telehealth (online therapy).

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​​How did you get to be so awesome? 

Ok, maybe that's not a frequently asked question, or even a one-time asked question but I wouldn't mind if someone asked me that.  :)

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www.successfulsensitive.com