Frequently Asked Questions
The fastest way is our online appointment request form. It takes about ten minutes and asks for basic information about you, what you want to work on, and your therapist preferences, including whether you want an LGBTQIA-identified therapist, a BIPOC therapist, or are open to working with an ally. If you will be using insurance, you can upload pictures of your insurance cards right to the form.
If you’d rather start with a phone call, you can reach us at 517-798-6745.
A completed form gives us the information we need to match you with a therapist and verify your insurance.
Most appointment requests get a response on the same business day. If you reach out outside of business hours, you’ll typically hear from us the next business day. We’ll either follow up with next steps or, occasionally, with questions to clarify what you’re looking for.
First, we determine if we have a therapist likely to be a good match. A good match means the therapist has experience with your needs, accepts your insurance, and has a new client opening that fits your availability.
If we do not have a therapist match, we will let you know right away and provide referrals to other practices we trust that may better meet your needs.
If you use insurance, we will verify your plan and determine your appointment costs. If you’re paying out of pocket, we will discuss options, including cost reduction or matching with a therapist intern at a lower fee. We will email you to discuss options or, if you’re using insurance, to explain expected costs. We want to avoid surprise bills.
Once a therapist match is made and payment is established, we will set your first appointment and email you a link to complete intake forms. Forms must be completed before your first appointment. If the scheduled time doesn’t work or you want a different therapist, just email or call us.
No referral needed. You can reach out to us directly to start therapy.
That’s a valid place to be. You can contact us to ask questions before committing. Some people start with a single session to see how it feels, then decide whether to continue. Others prefer to talk first over the phone. Whatever pace feels right, we will meet you there.
When you fill out our intake form, you tell us your therapist identity preferences, what you want to work on, your scheduling needs, and whether you want in-person or telehealth. Our intake team uses this to match you with a clinician whose specialties and availability fit your needs.
We’ll tell you straight away rather than waste your time. If we don’t have a clinician who fits what you’re looking for and you don’t want to work with an ally, we’d rather refer you to a practice that does fit than have you settle for a worse match. We’d rather lose you as a client than keep you as a disappointed one.
Yes, absolutely. Fit matters in therapy, and the first match isn’t always right. If you want to switch for any reason, including ones you don’t want to explain, let your therapist or our intake team know. If we do not have a therapist at our practice who is a good match for the transfer, then we will offer you referrals to other practices that we have trusting relationships with. Either way, we will support your transfer without judgment.
Yes, that is our aim. However, there are times when you may see a different therapist. Here are some examples of when this may happen. There may be other reasons not listed here.
- Your therapist has determined that your symptoms have met the criteria for a diagnosis that they are not equipped to treat due to a lack of training. If this occurs, your therapist will have a conversation with you about this and work collaboratively with you to explore options.
- If your therapist will be out of the office for a week or more, then your therapist may discuss with you possible other therapists on our team you can schedule with until your therapist returns. Even if you initially decide not to schedule with anyone else, we know this sometimes changes. You are welcome to contact us and request an appointment with another therapist while your therapist is away. If the therapist you meet with while your therapist is on leave feels like a better match for you and you want to continue meeting with them, this is an option, as long as the therapist has availability.
The first appointment is typically 60–90 minutes. It’s a thorough first conversation where your therapist will go over your intake forms and ask about you, your concerns, your support system, your health, and your history, so they understand the full picture of your life before the work begins. Ongoing therapy sessions are typically 55 minutes long. Your therapist will also give you time to ask questions and review with you some of our policies that you will also read about when you complete intake forms.
Most clients start with weekly appointments, especially in the first few months. As therapy goes on, appointment frequency may change. Your therapist will help you find a schedule that fits your needs and your life.
Both. Telehealth is available to clients across Michigan. Some therapists offer only in-person appointments, while others offer only telehealth appointments, and others offer both. Some clients meet in person when they can and switch to telehealth when they can’t.
Life happens. We ask for at least 24 hours’ notice when possible, as we reserve your appointment time specifically for you. Each therapist’s cancellation policy is explained in your intake paperwork. Please review this information carefully in your intake forms. If you have a regular appointment time, frequent cancellations may result in your appointment time being moved. If you are using commercial insurance (not Medicaid or Medicare) or self-paying, late cancellations may result in a cancellation fee. If 24 hours’ notice isn’t possible, please still let us know.
Our current list of in-network insurance plans, self-pay rates, sliding-scale information, and good-faith estimate notice is available on our Insurance & Fees page.
Often, yes, depending on your therapist’s availability for each format. Tell us at intake, or at any point during therapy, if you’d like to switch.
A reasonably private space, a phone or computer with a camera, and a stable internet connection. We use a HIPAA-compliant video platform; details are sent to you before your first telehealth appointment.
No. Respecting your identity doesn’t mean it must be the focus. You’ll be asked about your identity, history, and family on intake forms and during early appointments, but your identity doesn’t have to be processed in therapy unless you want it to be.
We are a person-centered therapy practice. You are coming to therapy because you have chosen to and what the main focus is each appointment is up to you.
Yes! We work with many clients who are still figuring out who they are, who they are attracted to or maybe not attracted to (asexuality), or what their gender identity is or is not (agender). Therapy doesn’t require being out to anyone, including your therapist, if that is not something you are ready to explore. Your appointment is for you.
We use the name you give us. Your affirmed name and pronouns go in your client file, and they’re what your therapist and our team will use with you. If you’re using insurance, insurers require your legal name on billing claims, so your legal name will appear on insurance documents specifically, but everywhere we can use your chosen name, we do. If your legal name and chosen name are different, just let us know, and we’ll make sure your file reflects who you actually are.
*If other people will have access to your email, your appointment reminders, etc., and you do NOT want them to know your affirmed name, then let us or let your therapist know. We can keep only your legal name on your file and if you desire, your therapist can still address you by your affirmed name during your appointments.
Yes. Many of our clinicians have experience with religious trauma, including the type of trauma that may intersect with LGBTQIA+ identity. We understand that holding both an identity connected to a religion or spiritual practice and other identities, such as LGBTQIA+, can be challenging. We also know that some clients may have disengaged from a religion that harmed them. Other clients may be active in their religion and deeply value it. Whatever is going on for you, we are not here to support you, help you process. It is up to you to decide what is best for you, and we will do so without judgment.
More than okay. You come in to work on what you actually want to work on, knowing your identity is held without question. No one is going to hold that identity against you, judge you, or think of you differently. This is one space where you do not have to worry about judgment or discrimination.
100%. You do not have to hold an LGBTQIA+ identity to come to therapy with us. You are welcome here and we honored you want to schedule with us.
Still have a question?
We’re happy to answer. Reach out, and we’ll get back to you, usually the same business day.
Feeling ready to request an appointment? Click the button to complete our new client request form.