The first step is to contact me! The best way to do that is through the contact page, which provides a space to write me a brief message. I will get back to you within 48 hours to answer any questions or schedule an appointment. I also offer a 15-minute consultation (at no cost to you) upon request. This is a nice way to connect prior to your first session to see if I can offer what you are looking for. If it seems like we might work well together, we will set up a time to meet and I will send you some initial paperwork to complete before we start your first session.
Following our initial contact, we will meet to discuss your reasons for seeking therapy in a little more detail. We will likely spend the first session getting to know each other a bit more, discussing your background and history, clarifying what you’re hoping to gain from therapy, and figuring out how we can get you there.
First and foremost, therapy provides a time and space fully dedicated to focusing on your emotional wellness and the pressing problems that have surfaced in your life. In this way, it is a precious gift of self-care. There are also a number of strategies and skills that, when used appropriately, can lead to powerful and relatively swift changes in the way you think and cope with distressing feelings. The long-term benefits of therapy often come from developing awareness of unhelpful patterns, how they were formed, and how to shift to a healthier approach. This insight is what allows you to make new choices and maintain emotional wellness long after therapy has ended.
Valuable and worthwhile therapy is highly dependent on the level of trust and comfort felt in the session. Beginning therapy can feel a bit uncomfortable for almost everyone, but with time and a little vulnerability these initial jitters should begin to subside. However, if you find yourself feeling repeatedly frustrated or misunderstood, or you are tuning out in session altogether, it may be a sign that your therapist is simply not a good fit. If you notice yourself experiencing these issues in our sessions, I gently invite you to share them. Best case, we will work through these issues with openness, humility, and a little humor. Worst case, I will have the opportunity to refer you to a therapist that better fits your needs. At the end of the day, I want the best for you—whether that involves working with me, or finding help elsewhere!
The length and frequency of therapy varies greatly from person to person. A number of factors, including the nature of your concerns, your goals, and your availability will all influence the length of treatment. Therapy is typically recommended on a weekly basis, particularly in the initial phases of our work together. However, we can discuss alternative arrangements and re-assess the frequency of therapy as needs and schedules allow. Individual therapy sessions span 45-50 minutes.
Yes! Online therapy is available to accommodate those who want (or need) to access therapy from the comfort and convenience of their own space. Online sessions are structured in the same way as in-person therapy and all paperwork can be completed electronically prior to your first appointment.
As a psychologist, I understand more than most that life is full of unexpected twists and turns. If you need to cancel, I kindly ask that you let me know at least 24 hours prior to your session. Cancellations made without such notice will be charged a missed appointment fee in the amount of your session fee.
Rates
Dr. Kelsi Clayson
Individual Therapy (50-minute session): $225
Couples Therapy (50-minute session): $250
Dr. Kelly Terry
Individual Therapy (50-minute session): $125
Couples Therapy (50-minute session): $160
Ruba Rum, M.S.
Individual Therapy (50-minute session): $70
Insurance
Out-of-Network Benefits
In order to avoid administrative delays, challenges to confidentiality, and the constraints mandated by many insurance providers (e.g., session limits, required diagnoses), Dr. Clayson is out-of-network with most insurance plans. However, you may still be eligible for benefits if you have out-of-network mental health coverage. In this case, I can provide you with a “superbill” (a monthly statement of your payment) to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. Reimbursement can range from 30-100% of the session cost after you’ve met your out-of-network deductible. Select insurance companies may also provide reimbursement for Dr. Kelly’s services. While Ms. Ruba Rum offers affordable pricing, as a doctoral extern she cannot accept insurance or provide superbills.
To determine whether you have out-of-network coverage, it may be helpful to contact your insurance and ask the following:
- Does my health insurance plan include out-of-network mental health benefits?
- Do I have a deductible for my out-of-network mental health benefits? If so, what is it and have I met it yet?
- What percentage of what I pay to my doctor will be reimbursed to me?
- Does my plan limit how many sessions I can have per calendar year? If so, what is the limit?
- Do I need written approval from my primary care physician in order for services to be covered?
- Privacy– Insurance companies will not have access to your private therapy records in the same way they do when you see an in-network provider.
- Expertise– You can choose a therapist that has the unique skill set and expertise to treat exactly what you need (e.g., couples therapy, PTSD, persistent depression, etc.) rather than being limited to what your network offers.
- Personalization– When not constrained by what is approved and billable to insurance companies, your therapist can provide highly personalized services that includes solutions and therapies that may not be covered by insurance.
- Flexibility– You and your therapist, rather than the insurance company, get to determine how frequently you are seen and for how long you are seen instead of “running out” of sessions after you’ve developed a connection and begun to make progress.
- Access– No need to wait a month to start therapy or go several weeks between sessions. It can be challenging to find a therapist who is in-network and accepting new clients (or bounce from therapist to therapist until you find the right fit). Private pay therapists tend to have more time and availability to see you immediately and accommodate your schedule.
Sliding Scale
My goal is to make my services accessible. As such, I offer a limited number of sliding scale appointments to reduce the economic burden of therapy for those who need it. Please feel free to contact me to determine whether I currently have a sliding scale slot available. If not, I am happy to place you on a waitlist and let you know when the next available slot opens up.