Below are questions often asked before an interested person becomes a client of Waves of Change. If you have additional questions, please don’t hesitate to give us a call or send an email through the Contact Us page. We will respond quickly. Additionally, your question may be one we have overlooked and may add it to our FAQ page.
Are you currently taking new clients?
Yes, appointments are available Monday through Friday between 9 am and 7 pm, and on some Saturdays and Sundays. All sessions are by appointment only. To make an appointment, call 919-272-6220, use the Contact Us form to request a time, or schedule online by signing into the Client Portal and using the on-line Calendar/Scheduler up to 24 hours prior to an appointment.
Are sessions confidential?
Absolutely! Your identity, and details you disclose, are never discussed by me outside of the session with you, unless required by law and your insurance company. As a mandated reporter, I am required to disclose any plans to harm others or yourself, and may be required to report any knowledge of felonies you have committed for which you were not charged.
Additionally, if your health insurance carrier reimburses you for your sessions, I may be required to provide them with notes about our sessions as a condition of their reimbursement. I will always discuss this with you prior to the release of such information.
Will you bill my insurance?
No, I am a private practioner and not on any insurance panels; however, my services may be covered on an out of network basis, or be eligible for coverage by your Employee Assistance Program, Flexible Spending Account, or Health Savings Account. I provide you with a receipt for the package of sessions you have paid for and you can send that to your insurance carrier to file a claim for reimbursement, keep for taxes if using an HSA, or send to your employer for reimbursement from your EAP or FSA.
A package of multiple sessions offers you the best price. These are paid for at the start of our work together, and can be renewed as needed. Please see me to get specifics on the package discounts.
How much do sessions cost, and do you offer a sliding scale?
The per session fee ranges between $80 and $125. However, you may purchase a package of sessions at reduced fees.
Whether you pay per package or per session, I offer a sliding scale for clients whose net income is less than $25,000 annually. We will select the reduced package or session fee that is most appropriate at the first appointment. Sliding scale is offered on a limited basis to those in temporary financial hardship. It is expected than when your situation improves that your session rate will resume at full fee level.
What forms of payment do you accept?
I accept cash, personal checks, and debit /credit cards such as American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa.
You may also initiate a PayPal payment as late as 6 hours prior to any scheduled session. PayPal buttons are on all counseling, hypnosis, and class pages, as well as on the contact page.
What if my check bounces or my credit card is denied?
If your check bounces, I can take replacement payment in the form of cash, credit card, or PayPal payment. You will also be charged a $35 bounced check fee, payable prior to the next scheduled session. If a transaction with a debit card is denied, payment is possible by cash, credit card, or PayPal. Appointments will not be held when you owe for past sessions unless payment arrangements are made in advance.
What if I have to reschedule or forget an appointment?
I require clients to give at least 24 hours’ notice when they have to reschedule, except in situations of contagious illness and medical emergency. A car accident on the way to an appointment would qualify as a medical emergency. Bronchitis, flu, or diarrhea qualify as illness, but a normal headache does not, nor does a migraine if you have gone to work on the day of the appointment. Hypnosis sessions are very effective with headaches and some other illness and physical distress. You might find it beneficial to keep your appointment.
Appointments can be rescheduled by phone, text message, or email. I prefer you not text because I cannot guarantee that texting is HIPAA compliant.
You are financially obligated for missed sessions when you don’t provide advanced notice. If you can reschedule for the same week, the late cancellation or missed appointment fee may be waived on a case by case basis.
How long are your sessions and how many will I need?
First appointments usually run between 60-90 minutes. The extended time allows us to get to know each other, determine if we are a good match, and to complete an initial assessment.
Subsequent sessions are typically 50 minutes and are usually scheduled once a week in advance to facilitate consistency, accountability, and faster progress.
Until I know your history, and how counseling or Hypnosis is working for you, it is impossible to predict how many sessions you might need. My intention is to help you progress as quickly as possible towards your goals.
Can I call or email you between sessions if I have questions?
If you have an emergency and need immediate support, leave a voice mail message to that effect, and I’ll do my best to arrange a session with you as soon as possible. You may also text me but texting is not as HIPAA compliant as Voicemail or Email so please be brief.
Otherwise, as a very busy clinician, I am usually hard to reach between sessions. But if your question is urgent you are welcomed to leave a voicemail or email asking me to contact you. I may be able to answer a quick question pertaining to an assignment we’ve outlined for you.
General questions, or questions about issues that you haven’t yet introduced in sessions should wait for your next appointment time.
Are there issues or people you don’t work with?
Yes. Due to the limits of my license, training, and professional interests, I refrain from working with court mandated individuals / sex offenders / persons with substance abuse issues.
Problems or issues that I choose not to work with in my practice include conduct disorders such as:
- Schizophrenia
- Psychotic episodes
- Pre-surgical gender reassignment evaluation
- Severe personality disorders