FAQ

What are your hours/days for seeing clients?

Wednesday 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm CT
Thursday   7:00 am – 8:00 pm CT
Friday    7:00 am – 8:00 pm CT
Saturday    7:00 am – 2:00 pm CT

How long is the treatment?

The treatment timeframe varies by individual conditions and needs. Short-term is 12-18 sessions, Moderate is 18-22 sessions, and Long-term is 22-30. We can extend in response to life variables (i.e., deaths, moves, divorce) within the treatment timeframe. After the treatment course, I recommend that you have a session quarterly or twice per year to ensure momentum.

How long is a therapy session?

A typical session is 53-60 minutes; however, it could be 38-45 minutes depending on your treatment needs and goals.

What is the hourly fee?

My hourly rate is $175.

How do I pay?

I contract with a billing service, Alma, and they verify your insurance and charge your card on file for the co-pay. Additionally, you can pay me directly to eliminate services fees by Venmo.

Do you accept insurance?

Yes. I accept Optum/United Health, Aetna. If I am not in your network, I can also provide you with an Out of Network-OON Superbill to file with your insurance to get reimbursed.

How do I make an appointment?

Emailing is the best way for the most immediate response at angela@thegrittytherapist.org. Second, you can call and leave a voice mail or text with your initials at (903) 218-7900.

Our initial consultation will help us determine what day and time work best for both of us, and that will be your standing appointment day/time.

Can I cancel an appointment? What are your cancellation policies?

I expect > 48 hours of cancellation, or the cancellation charge will be the same as the session costs. If you cancel < 48 hours of the appointment and can move to another open timeframe in the same week, if available, then you will not receive a charge.

Who is your perfect client?

Typically, my perfect clients are people who suffer from nervous system issues that usually present as anxiety or depression, often coupled with trauma or high cortisone.

What are the age ranges of your clients?

I work with adults 18-64 and minors 12-17. I also will consider other ages.

What can I expect in the first session?

The first session is typically the client discussing the context of their current situation and therapy goals. Additionally, I will aim to understand your family history as you understand it and your current family dynamics.

What is therapy like with you?

I provide a variety of therapy modalities and typically have a top-down and bottom-up approach, including humanistic, cognitive, behavioral, psychoanalytic, systemic-family, and somatic experiencing.

These approaches are often under the lens of attachment and trauma-informed.

My focus is on client structure, empowerment, and connections. I also encourage clients to align with technology and biofeedback data to understand improvements and forward movement. Naturally, I am results-driven and will look for those improvements.

I will also spend time focused on mind, body, and spirit because I understand how these are connected and affect each other to a great degree.

Does anyone cry with you?

Crying is one way the nervous system releases energy, and I work with the nervous system, so crying does happen. Suppression of this process is disadvantageous to your nervous system.

Do I have to tell you everything?

I expect clients to tell me what is concerning to them and what makes them uncomfortable to assist the client in moving to a place of contentment. I have worked with clients without knowing details, and they improved due to working directly with the nervous system and body.

Is our work confidential?

Absolutely! I have multiple processes and systems in place for confidentiality, including the following: a sound machine at my office door that buffers against audible sound; my office door is closed; my monitor faces a direction where only I can see clients along with a screen protector; the video used is HIPAA compliant, meaning no one can join without my permission, and no one can record; phone calls are on a HIPAA-compliant phone with messaging; please use initials if texting; emails are educational or administrative by nature with limited to no PHI; I also use initials in emails opposed full names.

If a need or request for client therapy notes arises and transferring PHI requires a secured option, I have a proton email account, and the client would need to also create a proton email account for this transfer of PHI. As per HIPAA regulations, the client can specify, in writing, the method in how they wish to receive their PHI.

What else can I try to help myself?

It would be helpful if you tried to be open-minded and willing to try things you have not tried or try with a different approach. Assessing and monitoring feelings, thoughts, and behaviors is important. Technology is helpful with measurements.

How long have you been in practice?

I have worked in behavioral health for over 28 years with different psychiatric systems. I started my private practice in 2021.

Have you been in therapy yourself?

Yes. I have received both personal and couples therapy.