Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy
The practical questions people ask before booking, answered plainly. What it costs, what insurance we take, how to tell whether a therapist is a fit, and what actually happens in a first session.
A question we ask most new clients is "what brings you to therapy now?" The answer very often starts with "well, I have been thinking about this for a while." Deciding to start is the hard part, and most of the hesitation comes down to a handful of practical questions. Here are honest answers to them.
What it costs
Prism Wellness is in network with Aetna, Aetna State Health Plan, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna and United (fully licensed clinicians only). Select therapists are in network or Certified Out of Network with Tricare, meaning we file the claim for you, accept payment directly from Tricare and accept the Tricare allowable charge.
Accepted plans include all PPO Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, though not UNC Health Alliance plans with a Y2K or BFP prefix; Aetna State Health Plan, PPO, HMO, EPO and Meritain Health; and United Health Care PPO, HMO and UMR. That includes the State and Federal health plans and plans provided through most workplaces. Plans through the UNC or Duke Health Alliance, or purchased through Healthcare.gov, are not accepted.
If you are out of network or uninsured, self-pay rates are $180 for the intake assessment and $155 for follow-up sessions . If you are out of network we can provide a superbill to submit toward your out-of-network benefits. Payments are collected through a secure online portal.
Our billing specialists verify your insurance before your first appointment, though that verification is an estimate. Ultimately it is the client's responsibility if your insurance does not cover part or all of your therapy, or if your coverage ends and Prism Wellness is not told right away.
Finding a therapist who actually fits
Three things matter, and none of them is the therapist's CV.
Style
Some people want a gentle approach, others want to be respectfully challenged. Some want a therapist who shares a little of themselves, others prefer a blank slate. There is no correct answer, only your answer. Say it out loud in the consultation and see where the therapist lands.
Specialty
Is this person trained in what you are bringing? Ask directly about their background. If something surfaces later that sits outside their training, that is normal, and you will decide together whether to work with it or refer you on.
Synergy
Do you feel able to say the thing you are ashamed of? The therapeutic bond is what makes the work possible. If it is not there, your therapist will not be offended. We trust you to know yourself better than we do.
What the letters after their names mean
LCMHC
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (formerly LPC). Minimum of a master's degree in counseling plus post-graduate supervised experience, licensed by the state board, bound to the board's ethics and confidentiality standards. Works collaboratively with you to shape how sessions run.
LCMHCA
Associate licensed. The same master's-level training, currently practicing under the supervision of a fully licensed clinician while accruing hours toward full licensure.
LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Minimum of a master's degree in social work, licensed by the state board. Uses a research-based, strengths-based approach, and can assess, diagnose and determine treatment.
LCAS
Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist. Minimum of a master's in a human services field with a clinical internship. Specifically trained in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of substance use disorders. Scope of practice covers screening, assessment, engagement, treatment planning, collaboration, referral, counseling, education, and professional and ethical responsibilities. Can provide direct therapy in private practice.
NCC
Nationally Certified Counselor. Board certified, requiring a master's with a major in counseling from a regionally accredited program, at least 100 hours of post-graduate supervision over 24 months, 3,000 hours of post-graduate counseling experience, and endorsement from a master's-level colleague.
CGCS
Certified Grief Counseling Specialist. A master's in counseling or a similar field plus dedicated grief training and ongoing continuing education. Works with loss caused by death or by life circumstance.
CTP / CCTP
Certified Trauma Professional. Requires a bachelor's degree or graduate coursework while working in a related human services field, plus 12 or more hours of approved continuing education in trauma assessment and treatment. The coursework covers major research in trauma treatment, evidence-based interventions, treatment phases, diagnostic criteria, trauma-related symptoms, assessment tools, and developmental and cultural considerations. A score of 80 percent or higher on the final assessment is required.
CGP
Certified Group Psychotherapist.
LCMHC-QS
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor with Qualified Supervisor status, meaning they are approved to supervise associate licensed clinicians.
More questions people ask
How do I know where to start?
You do not need to arrive knowing. In the first appointment your therapist will ask about your history, your current life, brief medical background and what you hope changes. Because we specialize in trauma, difficult topics can surface early, and no therapist will push you into detail you are not ready to give. Afterwards you will set goals together, sometimes with a worksheet to identify what to tackle first.
How will I know if I am making progress?
Early on your therapist will build a treatment plan with you. It is a living document, updated whenever things change, and its job is to keep sessions pointed at what brought you in. Life gets stressful and sessions can drift into venting, which is fine sometimes, but venting alone rarely feels like progress. If you ever feel stuck, say so in session. That conversation is part of the work.
I have tried everything. Why would talking help?
Therapy is not what television makes it look like, and it is not just talking. Therapists draw on evidence-based approaches to help you understand your patterns and your choices, and to surface areas you have written off as fine that are quietly costing you. Change takes time, and regular sessions are what sustain the motivation to keep going.
What is a first session like?
You getting to know your therapist and them getting to know you. Want to lead? Go ahead. Not sure where to start? That is completely normal. Mostly they will want to understand what brings you in and what you want out of it.
Can I be seen in person?
Yes. We have a spacious office in Cary, and we also offer HIPAA-secure telehealth. Our telehealth platform supports screen sharing and a shared whiteboard, so collaborative work translates well to video.
How do I prepare for a telehealth appointment?
Check you have a solid internet connection, keep headphones nearby in case of echo, and find somewhere private. That hour is yours alone.
Still have a question?
Ask it. Tori, our care coordinator, would rather answer three questions on the phone than have you talk yourself out of calling. A free 10-minute consultation commits you to nothing.
113 Edinburgh South Drive, Suite 130, Cary, NC 27511
