FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Deciding to try therapy and finding a good therapist-client match can be difficult — congratulations on taking the first step.

I offer a free fifteen-minute consultation for you to get a better feel for working with me.

If you’re interested in starting treatment, we’ll schedule an intake appointment, which typically lasts about sixty to seventy-five minutes. This will allow us to get to know one another, establish expectations for therapy, and create a treatment plan.

Read more below, and if you’re interested in speaking further, call or text me at 202.258.1631, or email me at andrewthomas222@gmail.com.

  • Our first session will be an intake, which will be more structured than typical sessions. Intake allows for us to get to know each other, complete paperwork, address any questions you may have about the therapeutic process, and set goals for your treatment together.

    In all following sessions, we will either use your established treatment goals to work on long-term goals or address your immediate day-to-day concerns, connecting them to your short- and long-term goals. The rhythm of sessions can vary depending on your needs that day.

  • I am able to work with you no matter your needs, but I have particular training and experience in the following areas:

    -Anxiety and Stress

    -Depression

    -Grief

    -Substance use disorders

    -Trauma-informed care

    -LGBTQ+ care

  • Depending on your needs, we may be working together for a few months to address a short-term goal, or we may be working together longer to address longer-term goals. We may cycle through multiple short or long-term goals, and you may even take a break and return to treatment when life circumstances change or personal goals shift. Overall, I encourage self-determination, assessing when you’ve gotten what you need. I believe treatment does not need to be a permanent fixture in your life, but rather a support that helps you to develop internal supports that you can access between sessions and after treatment.

  • Yes. If you decide to work with me, you will receive a detailed confidentiality policy as part of your intake paperwork.

  • I am not licensed to prescribe any medications. I may be able to offer referral ideas for a psychiatric prescriber.

  • If you are experiencing an emergency that is posing a risk of harm to you or others, please seek out immediate help, either by calling 911, or calling 988, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.

    Whether you’re an active client or wish to become one, I can be involved in any coordinated care following a crisis. We can integrate crisis prevention into your long-term treatment goals.

  • Due to the flexibility of telehealth, my hours and days currently have some leeway. Mostly I see folks on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, with sessions as early as 9am or as late as 6pm, depending on the day. Most sessions start on the hour, but I have flexibility with this as well.

  • Many clients meet once a week but some work with me twice a week or every two weeks. After our intake session, I will have a better idea on your treatment needs, and can then make a recommendation on session frequency.

  • After our initial intake session (about 60-75 minutes), each session lasts about 50 minutes.

  • At this time, I am only seeing telehealth clients. [Telehealth has many benefits for therapy, including flexibility of timing and your comfort.]

  • I am licensed in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. 

  • You can cancel or reschedule an appointment without fees until 48 hours before the appointment time.

    If you cancel with less notice, you will be charged a $50 cancellation fee.

    If you miss an appointment (which includes giving less than 10 minutes notice that you will not be attending), you will be charged a $100 no-show fee.

    If you reschedule and make up a canceled or missed appointment within four business days, these fees will be reduced by half.

    Any cancellation fees will be out of pocket, meaning they will not be covered by insurance.

  • I am credentialed with CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Aetna, and Cigna (Evernorth). When we do your intake session, I will collect your insurance information. After each session, you will be responsible for paying your co-pay, if any, using Venmo, Zelle, or a credit card I will keep on file.

    If you have another insurance plan, I am an out-of-network provider. You are responsible for paying the full cost of the session at the time of service using Venmo, Zelle, or a card kept on file. If you are able to get an out-of-network benefit, I will provide you a superbill which you can submit to your insurance. They may reimburse you for part of the cost of your session, depending on your plan.

    If you do not have insurance that covers mental health services, you are responsible for paying the full cost of the session at the time of service, using Venmo, Zelle, or a card on file.

  • 50 minute individual therapy session: $175

    60 minute initial intake session: $225

    Unless you’re using insurance, fees are due at the time of service through a credit card on file, Venmo, or Zelle unless a payment plan has been established.

  • You can pay through Zelle, Venmo, or a credit card.