Frequently Asked Questions

Roughly 50% of prescriptions are taken as prescribed. Comparably 80% of our medicine for pets is taken as prescribed. We are almost TWICE as likely to care for a pet rather than ourselves.

Investing your time, energy, and resources in yourself can be intimidating, so let’s take small steps together.

Begin today is a motto I hope to instill in you because life moves forward one step at a time. Contemplate what you have read and schedule a free, no-pressure phone consultation. A roller coaster is thrilling for the ups and downs, not the picture that gets taken along the way.

I offer a free initial 15-minute phone consultation where we can briefly discuss what brought you to counseling, a proposal of what treatment might look like, and if that blends well with you, we move forward with the next steps. If you would like to schedule a phone consultation without scheduling an appointment, please email mattbedell@begincounselingtoday.com

First Session: During a full clock hour (60-minutes), we will cover more history and background information to gain context for your life, clarify and confirm your custom treatment plan, your expectations of counseling, and discuss session frequency. For that appointment, I charge $200.

*First Session with teens has two options for the initial 60-minute session.

Subsequent Sessions: I offer both 45-minute and 60-minute sessions. During treatment, I will check in occasionally to provide an opportunity to provide feedback. We call this feedback-informed therapy. Research supports that the most significant determining factor in treatment is the counselor's and client's relationship. I take that to heart and genuinely want to meet you where you are.

Each session, I hope you leave feeling like you have a sense of direction, were heard and understood, as well as challenged and inspired. Each session, we try to develop one new coping skill, and as time goes on, we can apply more advanced and individualized techniques.

For 30 mins | $120

For 45 mins | $175

For 60 mins | $200

I am not in-network with any insurance providers, and my rates are self-pay. However, I can provide you with an invoice we refer to as a “Superbill,” which will have all the information insurance needs to complete an out-of-network claim. If you elect to use a Superbill (over half of my caseload chooses this option), payment is due at the time of services and can be provided either after each session or monthly.

What can I ask my insurance company to determine if a Superbill will be helpful?

1. What is my out-of-network mental health coverage?

2. What is the (insurance’s) process for completing an out-of-network claim? (fax vs. online form)

3. Do I (client) receive reimbursement directly, or is the cost applied to my deductible/out-of-pocket max?

4. How long, on average, does it take for insurance to process a claim?

If they would like specific services codes, they are listed below:

1. 90791: Initial Appointment

2. 90834: 45-minute psychotherapy appointment

3. 90837: 60-minute psychotherapy appointment

Insurance’s approach to treatment often does not align with my view of therapy and instead focuses on the cost. Usually, insurance will require change for reimbursement, an insurance-based treatment plan, a limited number of sessions, and limited confidentiality. This model does not allow for the stages of change to progress naturally and interfere with the specialized individual approach to treatment I provide.

I have taken many steps to streamline therapy and ensure our precious time, resources, and energy is spent on finding wellness rather than administrative efforts.

Each person will make progress at different rates. Feeling better may look like finally being able to share and feel heard. For another person feeling better may be applying knowledge with confidence and bravery. Counseling with the six stages of change in mind means everyone has a different readiness for change, and that’s okay!

Also, let’s put therapy in context…

If you sleep 10 hours a night, you are awake 14 hours a day. Over one week, you will be awake for 98 hours. Thus one hour of counseling is a little more than 1% of your time awake. So, with insight comes the responsibility to apply knowledge; sometimes, we need to dig and find the blocking belief holding us back. It is beneficial to do additional work outside of the office to maximize therapy. I will also provide specialized challenges for you to embrace each week when you are ready.

As needed, counseling. Wherever your starting point is, I hope always to provide value in your life through my services. Nevertheless, there will come a time when self-compassion, knowledge, application, and safety solidify a foundation of wellness. Even quarterly sessions (once every three months) become like you have nothing to work on actively. We can then review your experience in therapy and practice healthy closure.

Whether you’ve decided you would like to pause for the foreseeable future or feel inspired to go at life without therapy, please know my office is ready for your return if needed. However, if there is something you think has not been addressed yet, please bring that to a session so we can see if a therapist with that specialty might be a better fit. I’ll always do my best to meet you where you’re at with compassion and hope.