How do I get started with therapy at K & K Holistic Counseling?

The first step is reaching out to our practice. When you contact us, sharing a little about what you're looking for can help us determine which clinician may be a good fit.

Helpful information might include what you'd like support with, your general availability, whether you're hoping to use insurance or private pay, and any preferences you have regarding your therapist.

Do I need to know which therapist I want before contacting K & K?

No. You're welcome to review our clinician profiles if you'd like, but you don't need to choose someone on your own.

Tell us what you're looking for, and we can consider your concerns, scheduling needs, preferences, and clinician availability when helping identify a potential match.

What should I include when I contact the practice?

You don't need to tell us your entire story in an initial inquiry. A brief description of what you're seeking support with is usually enough to begin.

It can also be helpful to include whether you're seeking individual, couples, or family therapy; your general availability; relevant insurance information if applicable; and any therapist preferences that are important to you.

What happens after I reach out?

Our team can review your inquiry and determine whether one of our clinicians may be an appropriate fit based on your needs and current availability. From there, we'll provide information about the next steps for beginning services.

If we're unable to appropriately meet your needs, we believe in being transparent rather than trying to make every client fit our practice.

What if I'm nervous about starting therapy?

That's incredibly common. Starting therapy means talking with someone new about parts of your life that may feel personal, confusing, painful, or vulnerable. You aren't expected to feel immediately comfortable or know exactly what to say.

A good therapeutic relationship develops over time. Your first job isn't to be "good at therapy." It's simply to show up as you are and allow the relationship and process to develop from there.

What if I'm ready for something to change but I'm not sure what comes next?

That's enough of a starting point.

You don't need a diagnosis, a perfectly articulated goal, or a complete understanding of why you feel the way you do before beginning therapy. Sometimes therapy starts with a simple recognition: something isn't working the way I want it to anymore. From there, you and your therapist can begin figuring out what comes next together.

Does K & K Holistic Counseling accept insurance?

Yes. K & K Holistic Counseling accepts several major insurance plans, including Independence Blue Cross (IBX), Cigna, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare (UHC). Insurance participation may vary by individual clinician, so we encourage you to confirm that the therapist you're interested in seeing is in-network with your specific insurance plan.

Insurance plans and behavioral health benefits can vary considerably, even within the same insurance company. We recommend verifying your individual benefits, including your deductible, copay, coinsurance, and any other potential out-of-pocket responsibility before beginning therapy.

How much does therapy cost without insurance?

We believe you should know what therapy may cost before deciding whether it's financially sustainable for you. Private-pay rates at K & K Holistic Counseling range from $135–$225 per session, depending on the clinician and type of service provided.

We're committed to transparency around the cost of therapy. Before beginning services, we'll let you know the applicable fee so you can make an informed decision about your care without wondering what you'll be charged.

Can I pay for therapy out of pocket instead of using my insurance?

Yes. Clients may choose to pay privately for therapy rather than use insurance when appropriate. Some people prefer private-pay therapy for greater flexibility, privacy, or personal reasons related to how they would like to approach their mental health care.

Our out-of-pocket fees range from $135–$225 per session, depending on your clinician and service type. If you're considering private-pay therapy, we're happy to discuss the applicable rate before you schedule.

What if K & K Holistic Counseling doesn't accept my insurance?

You may still be able to receive partial reimbursement for therapy through your insurance company's out-of-network mental health benefits. Some insurance plans reimburse members for a percentage of eligible therapy expenses after an out-of-network deductible has been met.

K & K Holistic Counseling can provide a superbill that you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. Reimbursement is determined by your individual insurance plan, so providing a superbill does not guarantee that your insurance company will reimburse you.

What is a superbill?

A superbill is a detailed document containing information about the mental health services you've received and paid for. If your insurance plan includes out-of-network behavioral health benefits, you may be able to submit this document to your insurance company and request reimbursement for a portion of the cost.

K & K Holistic Counseling can provide superbills to clients who are paying privately and would like to pursue out-of-network reimbursement. Your insurance company ultimately determines whether services are eligible for reimbursement and how much it will reimburse.

How do I find out if I have out-of-network mental health benefits?

Contact your insurance company using the member services number on your insurance card and ask specifically about your out-of-network outpatient behavioral health or mental health benefits.

We know insurance terminology can be confusing, especially if you've never used out-of-network benefits before. K & K Holistic Counseling has created an Out-of-Pocket Reimbursement Guide to help you understand the process, including questions you may want to ask your insurance company before beginning private-pay therapy. We're happy to provide the guide to clients considering this option.

What should I ask my insurance company about therapy coverage?

When verifying your mental health benefits, consider asking whether you have coverage for outpatient psychotherapy, whether your therapist must be in-network, what your copay or coinsurance will be, whether you have a deductible that must be met first, and whether there are limitations on your behavioral health coverage.

If you're considering paying privately and seeking reimbursement, ask specifically about your out-of-network outpatient mental health benefits, your out-of-network deductible, the percentage your plan reimburses after that deductible, and the process for submitting a superbill.

Will you check my insurance benefits for me?

Our team can collect your insurance information as part of the process of getting started and provide information related to our participation with your insurance plan. However, insurance companies ultimately determine eligibility, benefits, and payment.

We encourage clients to understand their own benefits whenever possible. Calling your insurer before beginning treatment can help you understand your deductible, copay or coinsurance, and other potential financial responsibilities before your first session.

Why might someone choose private-pay therapy if they have insurance?

There are several reasons someone may decide not to use insurance for therapy. Some clients value greater privacy or flexibility, while others want to work with a particular therapist who isn't in-network with their plan. In other cases, a client may have a high deductible and decide that private-pay treatment better fits their circumstances.

There isn't one payment option that's right for everyone. We want you to understand your choices, what services will cost, and what reimbursement may be available so you can make the decision that works best for you.

Are there hidden fees for therapy?

We believe in pricing transparency. Our private-pay therapy rates range from $135–$225 per session, depending on the clinician and service type, and the applicable rate will be communicated to you before beginning services.

If you're using insurance, your individual responsibility will depend on your plan's benefits, including factors such as copays, coinsurance, and deductibles. We encourage you to ask questions about cost at any point—we don't believe conversations about money should be uncomfortable or unclear in therapy.

Can K & K help me understand how to pay for therapy?

Yes. Insurance benefits, deductibles, superbills, private-pay rates, and out-of-network reimbursement can be confusing, particularly if you're navigating them for the first time.

We aim to make the financial side of starting therapy as straightforward as possible. We can clearly explain our rates and accepted insurance plans, provide superbills when appropriate, and offer our Out-of-Pocket Reimbursement Guide to help you investigate whether your insurance plan may reimburse you for private-pay therapy. While we can't guarantee what an insurance company will cover, we can help you understand what questions to ask.

Is everything I say in therapy confidential?

Confidentiality is an important foundation of the therapeutic relationship. In general, information shared in therapy is private, with specific legal and ethical exceptions.

Your clinician will review confidentiality and its limits during the informed consent process, including circumstances involving mandated reporting, certain safety concerns, court orders, or other legally required disclosures. We encourage clients to ask questions whenever they're unsure about how their information is protected.

What is outpatient therapy?

Outpatient therapy means receiving mental health care while continuing to participate in everyday life at home, work, school, and in your community. Clients typically attend scheduled appointments rather than receiving continuous or intensive treatment.

K & K Holistic Counseling is an outpatient private practice. If your needs require a higher level of care or specialized service that we don't provide, your therapist may discuss additional treatment options or referrals with you.

What if I'm experiencing a mental health emergency?

K & K Holistic Counseling is an outpatient therapy practice and is not an emergency or crisis response service. If you're experiencing an immediate mental health or safety emergency, please use an appropriate crisis or emergency resource rather than waiting for your next therapy appointment or an email response from the practice.

Your therapist can also work with you during treatment to identify appropriate crisis resources and develop a plan for accessing additional support when needed.

Can therapy help even if my problems don't seem "serious enough"?

Absolutely. You don't have to wait until a problem becomes a crisis before asking for supportTherapy can be useful for stress, relationships, identity exploration, confidence, grief, transitions, boundaries, decision-making, emotional regulation, communication, personal growth, and simply wanting to understand yourself better. Preventative and growth-oriented therapy can be just as meaningful as therapy focused on reducing symptoms.

How do I know if therapy might be helpful for me?

You don't need to be in crisis or have everything falling apart to benefit from therapy. Many people begin counseling because they feel stuck, overwhelmed, anxious, disconnected, uncertain about a relationship or life transition, or simply interested in understanding themselves better.

Therapy can provide dedicated space to slow down, recognize patterns, develop practical coping skills, and consider whether the way you're currently navigating life is still working for you. You also don't need to know exactly what you want to work on before reaching out—that's something you and your therapist can explore together.

Do I need a mental health diagnosis to start therapy?

No. People seek therapy for many reasons that may or may not involve a specific mental health diagnosis. You might want support with stress, relationships, identity, self-esteem, grief, life transitions, emotional regulation, boundaries, perfectionism, or simply feeling stuck.

Our clinicians focus on understanding you as a whole person rather than reducing your experience to a diagnosis or collection of symptoms.

What happens during the first therapy session?

Your first session is an opportunity for you and your therapist to begin getting to know one another. Your clinician will typically ask about what brings you to therapy, relevant history, current stressors, relationships, strengths, and what you might like to gain from counseling.

You don't need to share everything immediately. Building trust takes time, and we believe therapy should progress at a pace that feels appropriate for you.

What if I don't know what my therapy goals are?

That's completely okay. "I know something needs to change, but I don't know what" is a perfectly reasonable place to begin.

Your therapist can help you identify patterns, clarify what's important to you, and develop meaningful treatment goals over time. Goals can also change as therapy progresses and you develop a deeper understanding of yourself.

How often should I attend therapy?

Many clients begin with weekly therapy because consistency can help establish the therapeutic relationship and build momentum toward treatment goals. The appropriate frequency depends on your needs, goals, clinician availability, and other factors.

As treatment progresses, you and your therapist can continue discussing whether the frequency of sessions is meeting your needs.

How long will I need to be in therapy?

There isn't one correct timeline for therapy. Some people seek short-term counseling around a specific concern, while others benefit from longer-term therapy focused on patterns, relationships, identity, trauma, or ongoing personal growth.

We encourage clients to periodically reflect with their therapist on what's changing, what's still difficult, and whether therapy continues to feel useful.

What can I talk about in therapy?

Almost anything that feels meaningful to you. Therapy might include conversations about anxiety, depression, stress, relationships, family, identity, sexuality, work, school, grief, trauma, self-esteem, body image, boundaries, life transitions, neurodivergence, or questions about who you are and what you want from your life.

You don't have to decide whether something is "important enough" before bringing it into the therapy room.

How do I find the right therapist for me?

Finding the right therapist involves more than looking at credentials or treatment modalities. Training and experience matter, but so does the relationship you develop with your clinician.

A good therapeutic fit often means feeling respected, heard, understood, and safe enough to be honest while also feeling appropriately challenged when growth requires it. Different people need different things from therapy, and we encourage you to consider both a therapist's clinical experience and how it feels to interact with them.

What should I look for when choosing a therapist?

Consider what you'd like help with, what kind of therapeutic relationship feels comfortable to you, and whether you have preferences related to your clinician's communication style, identity, areas of expertise, or treatment approach.

Some clients want a therapist who provides concrete skills and structure. Others value having more space for reflection, processing, and self-exploration. Many want a combination of both. Understanding what you value can help us identify a clinician who may be a good fit.

What if I don't know what type of therapy I need?

You don't need to choose a therapy modality before choosing a therapist. That's our job to help with.

Our clinicians draw from approaches such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Person-Centered Therapy, trauma-informed care, mindfulness, strengths-based interventions, and other approaches depending on their training and your individual needs.

What if my therapist and I aren't a good fit?

Therapeutic fit matters, and recognizing that a particular relationship isn't working doesn't mean therapy itself won't work for you.

We encourage clients to discuss concerns with their therapist whenever possible. Sometimes an open conversation can strengthen the therapeutic relationship. Other times, another clinician or treatment approach may simply be a better match.

Will my therapist just sit and listen?

Listening is important, but therapy can involve much more than that. Depending on your needs and your clinician's approach, sessions may include identifying patterns, learning coping skills, practicing mindfulness, exploring emotions, challenging unhelpful beliefs, discussing relationships, examining past experiences, clarifying values, or developing strategies to try between sessions.

We view therapy as collaborative. Your therapist brings clinical knowledge and perspective, while you bring expertise about your own life.

Will my therapist tell me what to do?

Our goal isn't to make decisions for you. Therapy can help you better understand your options, recognize patterns, clarify your values, and develop confidence in making decisions for yourself.

Your clinician may offer feedback, provide psychoeducation, teach skills, ask challenging questions, or help you consider perspectives you haven't considered before. Ultimately, however, your life belongs to you.

Does K & K Holistic Counseling offer online therapy?

Yes. K & K Holistic Counseling currently provides therapy virtually. Online therapy allows clients to meet with their therapist from a private location using a secure, HIPPA-compliant telehealth platform.

Virtual counseling can be particularly convenient for clients balancing work, school, parenting, commuting, or other responsibilities and can make consistent participation in therapy easier to maintain.

Does K & K Holistic Counseling offer in-person therapy?

At this time, K & K Holistic Counseling is a virtual therapy practice and does not offer in-person appointments.

We value the benefits of both virtual and in-person therapy and are continuing our search for an office space that feels like the right home for our practice and clients. Any future availability for in-person counseling will be shared through our website.

Is online therapy effective?

For many people and many common outpatient mental health concerns, virtual therapy can provide a meaningful and effective therapeutic experience. Online counseling still allows you and your therapist to build a relationship, discuss concerns, practice skills, establish goals, and engage in evidence-based treatment.

Whether virtual therapy is appropriate depends on the individual, their treatment needs, privacy, safety, and preferences. Your clinician can discuss whether telehealth is an appropriate fit for you.

What do I need for a virtual therapy appointment?

You'll generally need a reliable internet connection, a device with a camera and microphone, and a private location where you feel comfortable speaking openly.

We strongly encourage clients to treat virtual therapy as they would an in-person appointment by finding a private space and minimizing distractions whenever possible. Creating some separation before and after your appointment can also help therapy feel like intentional time set aside for yourself.

Can I attend online therapy from anywhere?

Telehealth laws generally depend on where the client is physically located at the time of the session, not simply where they live. Your therapist must be legally permitted to provide services where you are physically located.

If you're traveling, moving, attending college in another state, or otherwise planning to participate in therapy from somewhere different than usual, please discuss this with your therapist in advance.

What if I prefer in-person therapy?

We understand. Virtual therapy is convenient for many people, but it isn't everyone's preference.

Because K & K currently provides virtual counseling only, someone who strongly prefers or clinically requires in-person treatment may be better served by another provider at this time. We believe finding care that actually meets your needs is more important than trying to make a particular format work for everyone.

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, commonly called CBT, explores the relationships among our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Over time, we can develop automatic thoughts and beliefs that shape how we interpret ourselves, other people, and the situations around us.

CBT can help you identify these patterns, evaluate whether your beliefs are accurate or useful, and experiment with different ways of thinking and responding. At K & K, we aren't interested in simply replacing every uncomfortable thought with a positive one. We aim for perspectives that are more truthful, balanced, flexible, and compassionate.

What can CBT help with?

CBT techniques can be useful for concerns including anxiety, depression, negative self-talk, low self-esteem, perfectionism, stress, avoidance, and unhelpful behavioral patterns.

CBT may help you recognize patterns such as catastrophizing, all-or-nothing thinking, harsh self-criticism, reassurance seeking, or assuming thoughts are facts. Your therapist can then help you develop alternative ways of responding that better support your goals.

What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, focuses on increasing psychological flexibility: our ability to experience difficult thoughts and emotions without allowing them to determine every choice we make.

ACT incorporates mindfulness, acceptance, values exploration, cognitive defusion, and committed action. Rather than waiting until anxiety, fear, uncertainty, or self-doubt disappears, ACT can help you identify what matters and continue moving toward those values even when uncomfortable feelings come along for the ride.

Does acceptance mean I have to be okay with bad things happening?

No. Acceptance does not mean approving of something, liking it, or deciding that a situation shouldn't change.

In therapy, acceptance often means acknowledging what is already true in the present moment so you can decide how you want to respond. Sometimes change is possible and necessary. Other times, continuing to fight against something outside of our control creates additional suffering. Learning to recognize the difference can be an important therapeutic skill.

What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, is an evidence-based treatment approach that combines strategies for acceptance and change. DBT teaches practical skills across four primary areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.

These skills can help people become more aware of their internal experiences, navigate intense emotions, tolerate difficult moments, communicate effectively, establish boundaries, and make intentional choices even when emotions are strong.

What does it mean that K & K uses DBT-informed therapy?

DBT-informed therapy means a clinician incorporates principles, strategies, and skills from Dialectical Behavior Therapy into individualized treatment.

Depending on your goals, this might include learning mindfulness, understanding emotions, practicing distress tolerance, strengthening communication, setting boundaries, or exploring how two seemingly opposite ideas can both contain truth. Your therapist may integrate these strategies with other approaches rather than following a comprehensive DBT program.

Do I need to have severe mental health concerns to benefit from DBT skills?

No. DBT skills are also practical life skills that can be useful for navigating ordinary human experiences.

Learning how to tolerate uncertainty, regulate emotions, communicate needs, establish boundaries, remain mindful, and respond rather than react can be valuable for people navigating anxiety, stress, relationships, transitions, perfectionism, identity concerns, and many other everyday challenges.

What's the difference between CBT, ACT, and DBT?

All three approaches can help people become more aware of patterns and respond differently to difficult experiences, but they emphasize somewhat different things.

CBT often helps clients examine connections among thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and develop more accurate or useful patterns. ACT emphasizes acceptance, psychological flexibility, values, and learning not to let every difficult thought dictate your behavior. DBT balances acceptance with change while providing concrete skills for mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and relationships.

At K & K, therapy doesn't have to fit neatly into one box. Our clinicians may thoughtfully integrate strategies from multiple approaches based on your goals, preferences, strengths, and needs.

Will therapy just be worksheets and coping skills?

Not unless that's what is useful for you. Practical skills can be incredibly valuable, but we recognize that people also need opportunities to understand why patterns developed in the first place.

Our clinicians balance evidence-based strategies with humanistic, relational, strengths-based, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed perspectives. Therapy can include practical skill building alongside deeper exploration of identity, relationships, past experiences, values, meaning, and the systems that influence our lives.