Frequently Asked Questions
Starting therapy brings up a lot of questions. Here are answers to the most common ones. If you don't see yours here, reach out directly through the Contact page.
Getting Started
-
The first step is a free 15-minute phone consultation. During this call, you can share what's bringing you to therapy, ask any questions you have, and get a sense of whether working together feels right. If we decide to move forward, we'll schedule your first full session and complete intake paperwork online before we meet.
-
That's completely fine, and very common at Cura. Many of my clients are trying therapy for the first time. You don't need to have everything figured out or know exactly what to say. We start wherever you are, and we go at your pace.
-
The first session is mostly a chance for me to understand your background, what's bringing you in, and what you want from therapy. I'll ask questions, but there's no pressure to share more than you're ready for. By the end of the first session, we'll have a clearer sense of direction and what our work together might focus on.
Fees and Insurance
-
Cura Counseling is a private-pay practice. Session fees are:
• $165 per 50-minute individual session
• $250 per 90-minute session
Payment is due at the time of service via secure electronic payment.
-
I do not accept insurance directly or submit claims on your behalf. Cura Counseling is an out-of-network, private-pay practice.
Working outside of insurance allows for greater privacy and confidentiality, a personalized approach not dictated by diagnosis requirements, and flexibility in the pace and focus of our work.
-
If your insurance plan includes out-of-network mental health benefits, you may be eligible for partial reimbursement. I can provide a superbill (a detailed receipt of services) that you can submit to your insurance company independently.
To find out if you have out-of-network benefits, call the number on the back of your insurance card and ask:
Do I have out-of-network benefits for outpatient mental health therapy?
What percentage of the session fee would be reimbursed?
Do I have a deductible I need to meet first?
How do I submit a superbill for reimbursement?
-
A limited number of reduced-fee appointments are available based on financial need and current availability. These spots are limited and may not always be open. If cost is a concern, please reach out to discuss your situation.
How Therapy Works
-
Sessions are 50 minutes and held via secure online video (telehealth). Every session is different, but we typically balance exploration of what's showing up for you right now, deeper pattern work, and practical skill-building. The ratio shifts depending on what your goals for therapy are, and what's most useful for you that week
-
Most clients begin with weekly sessions, which builds momentum and allows us to develop a working relationship. As your goals are met and you build more stability, we may shift to bi-weekly sessions. We'll determine the right cadence together based on your needs.
-
This varies significantly depending on your goals and your history. Some clients come for a focused period of 8–12 sessions to navigate a specific challenge. Others work with me longer-term to address deeper patterns. We revisit this question regularly and adjust based on what's actually helping.
-
Yes, all sessions at Cura Counseling are conducted via secure online video. I'm licensed to work with clients anywhere in Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and surrounding areas. Telehealth allows you to do this work from wherever you actually are, without the added barrier of commute or logistics.
About the Work
-
Not necessarily, and not all at once. We look at where patterns come from because understanding the origin helps us change them, but we always balance this with present-focused work and practical tools. You're never required to share more than you're ready for.
-
Yes. What you share in sessions is confidential, with specific legal exceptions (such as imminent risk of harm to self or others, or child/elder abuse). I'll explain these limits clearly at the start of our work together.
-
That's what the free consultation is for. It's a low-stakes, no-commitment conversation. You can ask anything, share as much or as little as you like, and make a fully informed decision about whether to move forward.