Frequently Asked Questions

Do you accept insurance?

Yes. We accept:

• Aetna
• Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Capital Blue Cross
• Carefirst
• Cigna
• Highmark
• Optum
• Quest
• United Health Care

We do not accept Medicare or Medicaid plans at this time.

Out-of-network benefits can be pursued to obtain services, as well as private pay for those who do not wish to use their insurance (insurance requires a diagnosis).

Our admin office handles the billing. This includes deductibles and copays. We require a card on file for taking payments.

Your claim will contain a mental health code. That code is sent to the insurance company for reimbursement following the appointment. Any additional balances due are communicated to you by our Admin office once the claim has been processed.

We suggest you contact your insurance company prior to your appointment. Please ask your insurance company the following questions and bring this information with you to your appointment:

1. Is SHCS a participating provider?
2. Does my insurance cover the services I am seeking?
3. Do I have a deductible?
4. Do I have a maximum number of sessions?
5. Do I have a copay or coinsurance?
6. Do I need precertification or preauthorization?

What should I bring to my first appointment?

Once you request an appointment, you will receive an email from us with a link to our secure client portal.

In the portal you will receive instructions for completing the intake paperwork (i.e. social history, release forms, and policy forms) prior to your visit.

In addition, you will receive instructions to download Spruce Health, an app for secure calling and texting communications, should you choose to use it.

Please bring along your insurance card and whatever method of payment you choose to use. We will handle the rest.

What can I expect during my first therapy session?

You will enter our beautiful space and have a seat in our comfortable waiting area. Your therapist will greet you and take you to the therapy room for your appointment.

You can expect the first appointment to last approximately an hour. During this time, your therapist will ask you or your caregiver questions about what concerns you have and the reasons for starting therapy. The therapist will also gather more specific information from you to help formulate the goals for treatment.

If your first appointment is for a child, this time is reserved just for the parent or guardian to express their concerns without the child present. For older children or teens, we invite them to attend with you. We may interview you together or separately, depending on the child's needs. If there is time left over, the child is given time to explore the therapy space.

What is Music Therapy?

Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program. It is an established healthcare profession that uses music to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals of all ages.

How is Music Therapy helpful?

Music is a form of communication and connection. Research shows that music therapy reduces pain, alleviates anxiety, reduces stress, increases motor abilities, strengthens respiration, improves memory and brain health, reduces depression, and enhances feelings of well-being, among other benefits.

What is Rhythm 2 Recovery (R2R)?

Based on the latest neuroscience, R2R is an integrative model of experiential therapy combining rhythmic music with cognitive-based reflection. Groups deliver a tailored therapeutic program and professional development opportunity that utilize fun and engaging music activities to support social and emotional development. Activities are strength-based, focus less on exploring problems, and more on finding solutions!

What are expressive arts activities?

Expressive arts activities are therapeutic techniques that integrate counseling with art, clay, music, play, sand, drama, movement, writing, etc. to meet individual or organizational goals.

How are expressive arts activities helpful?

Activities are action-oriented, focusing on the process of creating and doing, not the product. They activate the brain, relieve stress, promote self-discovery and understanding of feelings or life concerns, and create a pathway to sound health.

What is Play Therapy?

Play is the language of the child. Toys are the child's words. Play builds on the natural way that children learn about themselves and their environment. It helps children communicate and relate to others, express feelings, modify behavior, and develop problem-solving skills.

What is Animal-Assisted Play Therapy?

The integration of animals in play therapy, where the therapist and animals engage with the child, through playful interventions, with the goal of improving the child's functioning, while ensuring the animal's well-being and choices.

What if I'm not musical and talking helps me the most?

While we all have music within us (rhythm is in our bodies) and the potential to be musical, a skilled provider will never push you to engage in a task that is too uncomfortable. Most people willing to try some of these interventions find them fun, relaxing, and more enjoyable than simply talking about troublesome circumstances. (Happier people also heal faster!)

How do I know if I need therapy or counseling?

If you are experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, overwhelm, relational distress, or other symptoms or concerns that are not resolving, are lasting a long time, and beginning to interfere with school, home, or work, this is a pretty good indicator that therapy is needed and would help.

How long does therapy take before I start feeling better?

It depends. Some people find some relief once they have the first appointment, as they have agreed upon goals to begin to work toward for lasting change. Generally, goals are reviewed every 6 months. This could mean 12 bi-weekly appointments or 24 weekly appointments.

You will find that reaching your goals depends on your own attitude towards therapy, personal investment into your own care, and commitment to making those changes you desire to see in your life.

Sometimes, therapy isn't enough to reduce the severity of symptoms. In those cases, we may recommend seeing a doctor for additional help. The combination of therapy and medication can make progress faster and provide additional relief.

What is the difference between therapy and counseling?

These are terms often used interchangeably. Counselors provide therapy that addresses specific life challenges and focuses on mental health outcomes, namely: psychological, social/relational, emotional, behavioral, and communication needs.

Do you offer online or teletherapy sessions?

Yes. We are licensed to offer telehealth sessions in the state of PA. If you live out of state and your therapist is licensed in PA, your session must still be in PA, unless your therapist is licensed in the state where you live.

How is everything I share in therapy kept confidential?

Your sessions are for you alone. What is said in therapy stays in therapy. Confidentiality by a counselor may only be broken in the following situations:

A therapist or counselor is a mandated reporter in PA, therefore if there is a disclosure of abuse for a child this must be reported.

If you have thoughts or acts of harming yourself, we have the right to notify a third party to improve safety for you in your environment or may recommend you go to crisis to be evaluated.

If you are having thoughts of harming someone else, we have the right to notify a third party to ensure safety for both you and the other person.

For teens 14+ in PA there are additional protections. At 14, a teen completes their own intake paperwork, signs their own goals for treatment, signs their own consent forms, and has more say into who the counselor can share personal information with regarding their care.

How do I choose the right therapist for me?

You can view our counselors on our website. Finding the right therapist is an important part of the journey. You want the "best fit" for the best outcomes. All of our counselors are trained and licensed, and all have specific modalities or approaches that have enhanced their skills to help a range of different people.

We encourage you to learn about us and have a willingness to try some of the approaches or modalities we offer. However, if simply talking works best for you, we can do that.

What types of mental health conditions do you treat?

While our counselors treat a myriad of conditions, we look first at the person, and how their concerns are impacting them.

Conditions most commonly seen in our practice include: Neurodivergence (ADHD, autism, learning differences, giftedness, sensory differences, OCD, intellectual disabilities), anxiety, depression, divorce, life changes, grief/loss, parenting concerns, couples work (communication/relational concerns), bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and trauma.

We do not treat substance abuse, eating disorders, or complex trauma.

How much does therapy cost, and do you offer a sliding scale fee?

You can view our private pay rates on our website.

If you are using your EAP or insurance, rates vary from plan to plan. There is typically a co-pay or deductible involved when using insurance. When the OOP expenses are met, the sessions are fully covered.

We do not offer a sliding scale. We do, however, have pre-licensed clinicians and interns that have reduced session fees. This can reduce wait time so your healing can begin sooner.