If you’re new to teletherapy or counseling in general, we know that initiating services can feel like a daunting task. Don’t worry; I'm here to help and answer your questions every step of the way. Finding the right therapist for you is an important part of the process. I recommend browsing the website, reading through the 'About' page and booking a free consultation. We’ll discuss your individual needs, what I can offer you, and determine the likelihood of your eligibility for services. Should the decision be made that I am the right therapist for you, we'll schedule your initial assessment at the end of our consultation call and you'll pay a deposit to secure your spot.

Currently, Sweet Life Counseling is only able to accept new client appointments made via telephone with the exception of consultations. You can reach me at 601-283-2015 Monday thru Friday between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm. It is recommended (but not required) that you complete a consultation first which you can schedule directly from this site. Existing clients may use their client portals to request/schedule a specific appointment day and time.

I realize that life is unpredictable and sometimes plans just don’t work out. However, in an effort to respect everyone’s time, I ask that you call at least 24 hours in advance to cancel or reschedule services. (For example, if your appointment is scheduled for Thursday at 3 p.m., you will need to call and request a cancellation or reschedule date BEFORE 3 p.m. on Wednesday. A notification at 3:01 p.m. on Wednesday or anytime thereafter will result in penalties.)

Fees paid for services canceled more than 24 hours in advance will be refunded in full.

Fees paid for services rescheduled more than 24 hours in advance are fully transferable to the new service date and time.

Failure to request an appointment cancellation or rescheduled date within the required time frame will be considered a “No Show” and result in the assessment of a fee totaling 40% of the total cost of scheduled services. A client will no longer be eligible for services with Sweet Life Counseling after accumulating 3 No Shows.

Sweet Life Counseling is a primarily private pay service with intentions to move towards private pay only. To see if we are currently in network with your insurance and when this coverage will end, please call use at 601-283-2015.

Each session is scheduled for 45-50 minutes at rates ranging from $125-$150 per session, depending on the service. In some cases, you may be able to request reimbursement from your insurance through your out-of-network benefits.

See also: General FAQs- How do I utilize out of network benefits? and What are the benefits of private pay therapy services?

Curious why your preferred therapist isn’t in-network? Click here to discover the surprising reasons—and how it might actually benefit your mental health!

To receive this benefit through your insurance, you would simply pay for services and submit a copy of the paid invoice to your insurance company along with a claim form for processing. If approved, they would send you a check. If you choose to apply your out-of-network behavioral or mental health benefits the therapist will need to provide the insurance company a diagnosis. Reach out to your insurance company and ask the following questions:

• What is my out-of-network deductible?

• How much of this deductible has already been met?

• Is there an annual limit to the number of sessions or total amount that is reimbursable?

• What is the rate of reimbursement for CPT code 90837 or 90834?

• Do I need pre-certification or pre-authorization?

Please note that reimbursement is not guaranteed and your therapist reserves the right to decline any engagement with your insurance company.

You can also use your FSA (Flexible Spending Account) or HSA (Healthcare Savings Account) to cover the cost of services since counseling is considered a medical expense.

You work hard for your money, and we respect that. Without the stringent requirements of a third party, your therapist will have the freedom to focus solely on your needs and personalize your experience to a greater extent. Sweet Life offers a more holistic approach to mental health. You'll be able to fully explore ways in which to incorporate non-traditional strategies and techniques into your mental health and healing journey. Finances dedicated to the payment for counseling services is an investment in not just your mental health, but overall wellness. You'll have no limits on the number of sessions you can engage in annually and there is no diagnosis required for treatment. To help increase the likelihood of satisfaction with services rendered, Sweet Life Counseling offers a 15 minute, no-cost consultation to assess client/counselor compatibility.

Teletherapy, also known as online therapy, e-therapy, or video therapy, is therapy delivered through a virtual platform via a computer. If you’ve ever used FaceTime or Skype, it’s essentially the same thing – except more secure and with a qualified therapist or counselor at the other end instead of a distant friend or relative. While it has grown in availability over the last few years, teletherapy has been around since the 1990s in the United States and is considered a highly effective method for therapy delivery. Teletherapy sessions work much the same way as traditional therapy sessions with only one significant difference – the therapist and the client are not in the same room. Sessions are scheduled at an appropriate and suitable time and day for each party, who then log-in via an agreed, secure video platform. The therapist and client can see and hear each other in real-time during the session via the use of webcams and headsets. Through this virtual environment, they can interact with each other, and the therapist uses the same traditional techniques and activities they would use in a face-to-face therapy session (Goode and Shinkle, 2019). (Excerpts taken from Positivepsychology.com)

Once you begin services with Sweet Life Counseling, you will receive a personal invitation to create your own client portal account where you can review and complete necessary documents, schedule/reschedule/cancel appointments, and join your teletherapy sessions!

In our increasingly digital world, we’re finding new ways to connect. Therapy is yet another area that has caught on to the power of digital connection. Use of digital platforms is helping more people access the support they need. Teletherapy opens the door for individuals who may not usually have access to quality mental healthcare to receive just that. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals in more rural communities, individuals with disabilities that make traveling difficult, individuals with limited to no access to reliable transportation, and individuals who are simply uncomfortable seeking face-to-face services. Teletherapy offers greater flexibility to those with busy schedules and helps to maximize one’s productivity by eliminating time spent traveling to appointments and sitting in a waiting room. Teletherapy also alleviates the stress and anxiety some experience when faced with encounters with new environments, experiences, and people. E-therapy enables individuals to familiarise themselves with the counseling process from the comfort of their own home. In today’s climate, with the ever growing threat of exposure to/contact with COVID-19, teletherapy becomes an even more important option for those seeking support but wanting to minimize their risk of becoming ill.

While teletherapy can potentially be very helpful for people in certain situations, it is not without some risks or disadvantages over traditional therapy options. Insurance coverage for teletherapy can depend upon the state in which you live and the insurance provider you have. Teletherapy is not an adequate means to address individuals in crisis situations or effectively serve those with more severe psychiatric illnesses. Initial assessments help determine eligibility for teletherapy services. *If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

As a licensed professional counselor, I am not qualified to prescribe medication. However, I'm happy to support individuals wanting to explore or continue the use of psychotropic meds to further their recovery and mental health maintenance. As part of a larger community of mental health service providers, I have a limited knowledge of commonly prescribed medications for mental health issues. I have and continue to work with primary care physicians, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and psychiatrists who do prescribe medications to help ensure proper continuity of care for clients receiving therapy services.

I'm equally as happy to support individuals looking to effectively manage symptoms of mental health conditions without medication and through use of more naturopathic means.

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