What is Emotionally Focused Couples Counseling (EFCT)?

What to expect in the first contact?

What should I expect during the first few appointments?

How do you schedule appointments?

What are your office hours?

Do you have online/remote appointments?

How does payment work?

What are your fees?

Do you take insurance?

What is a “Good Faith Estimate”?

What are your policies?

Please go to this link for more information: What is EFT?

I like to speak with new clients on the phone before scheduling the first session. For couples, this means that I want to speak with both of your (a 3-way call is fine if you can’t be in the same location) so we all stay on the same page. This allows me to make sure I'm the best fit for your needs, and vice versa. During the 20 minute conversation you'll tell me a bit about what you are wanting to work on and where you would like to end up, we will start to develop a plan, and discuss the structure of therapy. Then of course, schedule the appointment!

In the first appointment we will review the paperwork that you completed in the client portal and I will begin the process of getting to know you and what you're looking to work on more in depth.

For couples, I meet with you both in the first appointment and then I will meet with you each separately for individual appointments.

Sessions are 50 minutes in length and held weekly.

All clients are taken on with the expectation of weekly appointments. This makes sure that work is done consistently, builds momentum, and change will be seen more quickly. Multiple weeks between sessions without accountability and tweaking often leads to dropping back into the old patterns and can ultimately lead to ending therapy due to lack of progress - which will only hurt your relationship further.

Self-Scheduling: I use a self-scheduling online calendar in your client portal. My calendar is open a month in advance. It is your responsibility to schedule your sessions for the month. If you need more regular scheduling or have a less flexible schedule, you can schedule your sessions for the month as soon as the calendar opens to make sure you get the time you want. Or you are welcome to schedule week to week if you have a lot of flexibility in your schedule.

As mentioned above, appointment frequency is weekly. I find that this works best to build momentum and really make change in your relationship. Frequency is not reduced to biweekly until therapy is preparing to come to a close (or “graduate” as I call it!). Change is a slow process and requires regular, habitual practice and weekly sessions are the most effectual way to create regular accountability.

As a way to encourage regular sessions and make sure we are making progress, if (without advanced notice) we do not have appointments for three weeks in a row then you become an inactive client, run the risk of losing your spot on my caseload, and will have to contact me directly to reschedule.

Monday through Thursday 8:30am to 4pm.

Yes! All appointments are conducted remotely through video sessions.

Online therapy is very similar to in-person therapy, while being even more convenient and accessible. You may engage in therapy from any location in the state of Washington, avoiding the need to cancel or reschedule appointments due to transportation concerns, as well as the need to drive to and from your appointments. Rather than meeting in an office, we will meet on a secure, HIPAA compliant video conferencing platform. Detailed instructions regarding how to access the platform will be provided during your initial consultation.

See the “Why Remote Couples Therapy?” page for further information.

Payment is expected at the time of session and can be made by cash, check, or credit card (including FSA or HSA cards). A credit card is kept on file and automatically charged for appointments unless a different payment method is requested. 

All appointments are 50 minutes and billed at a rate of $350.

I am not in network with insurance. Therefore, my clients either pay out of pocket or use out of network benefits.

If using your insurance is important to you, I always recommend calling your insurance company and understanding your out-of-network mental health benefits as couples therapy is frequently not a covered service. Here are some questions to ask when talking to your insurance provider should you choose to use your out-of-network coverage. If your insurance company does provide out of network benefits for couples counseling, I provide a monthly superbill for you to submit, which would allow you to be reimbursed directly from your insurance company, as your plan allows.

A Good Faith Estimate is a new piece of ethical paperwork required for all healthcare providers. Ultimately, it outlines the fee structure so you are not surprised by any bills once we begin working together. As stated on my fees page, all sessions are billed at a rate $350.

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.

• You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.

• Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least one business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.

• If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.

• Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or contact Dr. Rachel Orleck at rachel@meaningfuljourneycounseling.com.