Frequently Asked Questions

Therapy involves a process of developing insight, shifting your thought patterns or cognitions, or adjusting behaviors that have been present for months to years. These changes depend on a number of factors – however the best predictor of change is motivation.  Clinicians at Integrated Care Clinic provide education to their clients and set appropriate expectations – that shifting the way our brain operates through therapy takes time.  Unfortunately, there is no clear-cut answer to this question.

Some evidence-based treatments follow a 8 to 12 session goal.  However, in many evidence-based treatment, sessions are limited for the purpose of research – not necessarily because they have completely addressed the client’s needs.  What often happens in outpatient therapy is that people come in to address one issue they are struggling with (e.g. depression), and over the course of treatment, they begin to address other issues they feel need to be addressed (e.g. self-esteem, stress-management, relationship issues), all of which may be contributing to the presenting issue.

At Integrated Care Clinic, we want to work with you to reduce your symptoms, get you feeling better, and get back to your life.  For some people that means 6 months of therapy, while for others it means more.  Your clinician will check in with you to see how you feel therapy is going, and what you think your ongoing needs are.  We even offer “booster sessions” – sessions spread out over time –  for when you are on the right track, but may need a check-in every now and again.

We accept the following payment options: Cash, Check, Credit Cards, & Flexible Health Care Spending Accounts.

We are considered an out-of-network provider and our full session fees are due at the time of service. Please contact your insurance provider to determine what your actual cost of counseling would be. Historically, our clients have received 50-80% reimbursement from their insurance companies if they have out-of-network coverage for psychotherapy. Our services are able to be applied to your deductible. We will provide you with a detailed statement in order for you to file for reimbursement with your insurance carrier.

This is often a concern for patients and parents, a diagnosis will need to be given to you or your child in order for you to be reimbursed under insurance.

Most Insurance Companies Do Not Cover Marriage Counseling, Couples Therapy, or Premarital Counseling. Please call and verify with your insurance provider but normally they only cover psychotherapy and family psychotherapy, but not marriage or couples counseling.

Yes, we can provide a superbill upon request. Superbills are processed on the first of each month.

We understand that our clients sometimes need to cancel their appointments. Please let us know of any appointments you are unable to keep. There is a full session charge for sessions canceled inside of 24 hours (outside of emergency situations). If you have any questions about our policy we would be happy to provide more information.

A psychiatrist has a M.D.  A psychiatrist went to medical school, and over the course of their training, specialized in psychiatry.  They become experts on all psychiatric medications.  This means that they know what medication might work best for you, if psych meds may interact with other medications, and what side effects to look for.  They guide people through the medication process, helping them find the best medication to meet their client’s needs.

A psychologist has a Ph.D or a Psy.D.  A psychologist went to college and graduate school for at least 9-11 years to earn their doctorate, and learned all about mental health and effective therapy approaches to tackle each mental health disorder.  As a psychologist goes through their training, they can choose to specialize on specific mental health issues or therapy approaches.  However, most psychologists

emerge with knowledge of several intervention approaches and a deep knowledge of psychopathology.  Psychologists are also trained on how to read, evaluate, and interpret medical and psychological research. Research is an important component to a psychologist’s education because it allows them to evaluate what treatments would be best suited for their particular client. Many psychologists were required to complete a comprehensive research project called a “Dissertation” prior to graduating with their doctorate.

What a lot of people do not know is that a psychologist goes to graduate school just about as long as a psychiatrist goes to medical school, and goes through a similar residency process.  Some psychiatrists also engage in therapy with their clients, but this tends to be briefer and less intensive, when compared to what a psychologist might do.

The term “psychologist” is heavily regulated by the American Psychological Association and the Florida Department of Health. Only those who have completed their doctorate from an accredited university, passed their comprehensive licensure exam, and completed the necessary supervised hours can call themselves a psychologist.  The terms “counselor”, “psychotherapist”, and “therapist” are not regulated, so it is important to understand and clarify the type of mental health provider and services you expect to receive.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a specific psychotherapy that works to change disruptive thinking and behavior, with the goal of create long-term change and benefit in mood and overall health.  The main theory is this: the way individuals perceive situations impacts how they feel emotionally.

The cognitive part of CBT relates to the thoughts we have.  When someone is struggling with a mood disorder, their thoughts tend to be negative, inaccurate, and even hurtful.  Through CBT, clients learn how to recognize these thoughts and change them, so their thinking becomes more positive.

The behavior part of CBT tackles the behaviors we engage in, either when we feel a certain way, or have a certain negative thought.  Therapy will help you recognize behavior patterns that are negatively impacting your mood, and work to introduce new, more effective behaviors.

CBT tends to be a fairly structured therapy, that focuses on problem-solving and making concrete changes to thoughts and behaviors.  CBT looks a little different for each individual, as people’s struggles and therapy goals may be

different.  Therefore, the Integrated Care Clinic therapists work closely with you to ensure that your treatment plan is perfectly tailored to meet your needs.

In researching therapy or therapists, you likely have come across the term “evidence-based treatment,” or something very similar.  You may find yourself wondering, “What does that really mean?”

Evidence-Based Treatment is a therapy approach that has been researched and “tested out.”  Often, researchers will study a specific type of therapy for a specific type of mental illness and see if it is effective in reducing symptoms.  They do this first by dividing people into two groups, usually a therapy group and a waitlist or “business as usual” group.   The therapy group receives the therapy, while the waitlist group….waits.  Over the course of treatment (and waiting) the participants are typically given screeners or questionnaires that check in on the strength or severity of people’s symptoms.  Often, studies will give out screeners long after the treatment, to see how people are doing long term.

These types of studies have shown that certain types of therapy approaches can help alleviate different mental health issues.  For example, research has shown us that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can significantly reduce

symptoms of Depression and Anxiety. Research also suggests that Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is very effective for those struggling with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Phobias.  The list goes on.

Psychologists spend most of their training reading these research studies and learning and practicing the therapy techniques.  Now, EBT tends to follow very strict rules and regulations, because it is in the world of research.  Therefore, the therapy you would get from a psychologist is informed by EBT, but is flexible to need your specific needs and adjust to your unique circumstances.

Providers at the Integrated Care Clinic may use a strict Evidence-Based Treatment, such as Maudsley (Family-Based Treatment) for an adolescent suffering from Anorexia Nervosa – or an Evidence-Informed Treatment such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy with Exposure-Response Prevention for Anxiety or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. We tailor the treatment to your specific needs while maintaining the most relevant and informed treatment approaches.