Question 1

HOW DO I SCHEDULE A FREE 15-MINUTE CONSULTATION? | WHAT WILL WE DISCUSS DURING THE CONSULTATION?

Accepted Answer

You may schedule a free 15-minute consultation using this link: https://ana-hinshaw.clientsecure.me/request/service. (https://ana-hinshaw.clientsecure.me/request/service.)

During the initial consultation, some of the things we'll address include:
 • Identifying what you're struggling with and want relief around.
 • Giving details on how Hinshaw Counseling operates.
 • Getting a feel for whether we'd be a good fit to work together. 
 • Answering any questions you may have.
 • Scheduling an intake if you'd like to get started!

These consultations are video appointments through the Simple Practice platform. However, I'm happy to conduct the consultation over the phone if needed.

***If scheduling a consultation, please remember to put this in your calendar.*** If you need to reschedule or cancel, please let us know as others are also looking to schedule an appointment. Thank you for understanding!

Question 2

WHAT SERVICES DO YOU PROVIDE?

Accepted Answer

I offer teletherapy, or online individual counseling sessions. I am licensed to practice teletherapy for residents of California, Florida, District of Columbia, Arizona, and Virginia. I only work with clients 18-years-old and older. I charge $85 per thirty-minute session, $160 per one-hour session, and $230 per ninety-minute session.
 
I also offer a free 15-minute consultation to new clients. The consultation is meant to offer a chance to answer any questions you may have about me, teletherapy services, and whether I might be a good therapeutic match for you.
​
I am credentialed to accept the following insurances: Aetna, Cigna, Optum. Click here to view the list of participating insurance plans.(https://support.helloalma.com/hc/en-us/articles/360052213913-Participating-Insurance-Plans-and-Geographies)

I do not offer a sliding scale. I do not provide couples or family counseling sessions.

Question 3

WHY DO PEOPLE GO TO THERAPY?

Accepted Answer

Much like going to see a doctor, consultant, or a trainer, clients come to therapy to get help. The form of that help varies depending on what issue(s) a client is dealing with and the type of services they are seeking. Clients may be seeking guidance, support, psychoeducation (information about a mental health disorder and treatment), or skills that target their goals. These skills might include coping techniques for anxiety/depression, communication skills for interpersonal issues, or self-reflection strategies to explore yourself. Clients might even seek hourly therapy simply as a form of self-care to “let go” and focus on themselves.

Question 4

HOW CAN THERAPY HELP ME? WHAT PURPOSE DOES IT SERVE?

Accepted Answer

This depends on your goals. If your goal is to be a better employee / parent / spouse / person, then therapy can help to explore strategies for change. If your goal is to improve self-esteem, therapy can support in boosting self-acceptance and happiness. If your goal is to process a big emotion like anger / grief / fear, therapy can act as a safe space to practice healthy emotional expression.

Question 5

WHAT WILL WE DISCUSS IN THERAPY?

Accepted Answer

Therapy is a safe space for you to discuss anything you want/need to as it pertains to your mental health goals. I tend to work with clients who are seeking help for any of the following issues:
 • Stress, anxiety, depression, anger, and/or mania
 • Family and/or relationship conflicts
 • Difficulties with sleep
 • Low self-esteem
 • Compassion fatigue
 • Major life changes (such as a loss, a sudden move, etc.)
 • Trauma and past abuse
 • Current and/or historical substance use

Throughout treatment, I also check-in about progress outside of therapy, life updates, or barriers to progress. While I like to challenge my clients to address issues that might be a little outside of their comfort zones (such using positive self-talk to combat low self-esteem, practicing a different way of communicating during conflict, or trauma issues), I will respect the need to not broach any topics that you say are off-limits for you.

Question 6

I DON’T FEEL LIKE I HAVE A MAJOR PROBLEM. CAN I STILL BENEFIT FROM THERAPY?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Therapy can help you regardless of the severity of whatever it is that you are going through. More often than not, I see clients who are generally mentally healthy, but may use therapy as a “check-up” for their overall wellness.

Question 7

WILL YOU PRESCRIBE MEDICATION?

Accepted Answer

As an LCSW I am NOT able to prescribe medication. I also cannot speak to medication recommendations as it is outside of my scope of practice. However, depending on a client’s level of functioning and/or their therapy goals, we might discuss certain topics around medication such as:
 • How to talk to your doctor about medication, how to ask questions about medication, and/or advocating for your needs as a patient.
 • Weighing the pros and cons of deciding to seek out psychiatric support.
 • Coping with the stigma around taking medication to treat mental health symptoms.
 • The importance of seeking physician support to rule out underlying medical causes for mental health symptoms. (I’ve had a few instances in which clients were diagnosed with a medical condition that exacerbated their mental health symptoms.)

Question 8

WHAT IS TELETHERAPY LIKE? WHAT DO I NEED FOR IT?

Accepted Answer

Teletherapy is when a client “meets” with their therapist over the internet. Teletherapy shares many similarities with regular face-to-face therapy. However, some major differences, both good and bad, include the following:

Pros:
 • Clients may easily access their therapist no matter their location, as long as they have an internet connection. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with clients in rural areas where mental health resources may be highly limited or far away. I’ve even worked with clients who are bedridden due to illness, and teletherapy allowed them the means to access support without getting out of bed.
 • Clients and therapists do not have to deal with driving out to their session, deal with parking, bumping into people they know, etc. In my experience, teletherapy has proved far more private than face-to-face sessions.
 • If illness, weather, or other safety factors are a barrier to services, teletherapy services from the comfort of one’s home can ensure continued access to care.

Cons:
 • Internet connectivity issues may cause a “lag” or even for the session to drop. Telehealth therapists are advised to have a good strong internet connection to help mitigate this. I myself have a 1 GB wired connection to ensure smoother sessions.
 • Therapists have less control over privacy on the client’s end. Traditional therapy offices have designated private spaces with locked doors to eliminate disruptions. Unfortunately, client’s family members, roommates, or pets might not understand the need to respect clients’ privacy needs. If privacy is a concern, we can troubleshoot ideas on how to accomplish this so that you feel emotionally safe to speak in therapy.
 • Meeting on the screen is certainly not the same as meeting face-to-face. (I think an abundance of zoom meetings during the pandemic has reinforced this!) This means that therapists are more limited in their assessments as they rely solely on what they see on the screen and what clients have written. If you are seeking a more thorough evaluation, I strongly recommend seeking face-to-face services.

To have a teletherapy session with your therapist, you do require an internet connection and a means to connect to the meeting platform. Some clients just use their cellphone, while others prefer to be at their computer or desktop. It is also strongly recommended that you have a private spot for sessions (such as a room with a locked door) to better protect your privacy.

Question 9

DOES EMDR WORK ONLINE?

Accepted Answer

Yes! EMDR can be effective when provided via secure telehealth, and many clients find online EMDR just as impactful as in-person sessions. Research and clinical experience show that the core components of EMDR (such as bilateral stimulation, pacing, and nervous-system regulation) can be adapted successfully for virtual therapy.

Online EMDR also offers added benefits, including greater flexibility, comfort, and consistency, especially for healthcare professionals and others in demanding roles. Sessions are structured thoughtfully to ensure safety, collaboration, and effectiveness, regardless of location.

Question 10

HOW LONG DOES THERAPY TAKE?

Accepted Answer

Therapy sessions may take 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the session duration that you choose. The frequency of sessions may depend on needs, goals, and our availability, but usually they are conducted once weekly.
 
I’ve worked with some clients for as short as one session and some for as long several years. On average, I usually work with clients weekly over the course of a few to several months. The rate of progress depends on various factors, including the degree of a client’s stress/trauma, comfort level of disclosure, and the level of effort both during and outside of sessions toward change.
 
Everyone’s process is different, and even slow-and-steady progress is still progress! My personal goal for clients is to get them to a place where they have access to healthy supports, feel equipped to handle stressors on their own, and feel generally happier before transitioning out of therapy.

Question 11

IF I STOPPED DOING THERAPY SOME TIME AGO, CAN I RETURN TO IT?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and in fact this is encouraged! Sometimes clients return if new issues arise or if old issues have resurfaced. Some have even returned after a long “break” just for their own self-care or to conduct a wellness check-in. If you have found therapy helpful in the past and would like to seek services again, I encourage you to do so. Alternatively, if your past therapeutic experiences have not been so helpful, I encourage you to speak about this with your therapist (whether former or new). This can help your therapist to address what hasn’t been helpful and to tweak your therapy if needed.

Question 12

WHO DO YOU WORK WITH?

Accepted Answer

I tend to work with clients who are seeking help for any of the following issues:
 • Stress, anxiety, depression, anger, and/or mania
 • Family and/or relationship conflicts
 • Difficulties with sleep
 • Low self-esteem
 • Compassion fatigue
 • Major life changes (such as a loss, a sudden move, etc.)
 • Trauma and past abuse
 • Current and/or historical substance use
 
I am licensed to practice in California, District of Columbia, Florida, Arizona, and Virginia. This means that I can only serve residents of these states AND who are physically located in these states. At this time, I am only working with adults (ages 18-years-old and over).

Question 13

WILL MY INSURANCE COVER OUR SESSIONS?

Accepted Answer

UPDATE: I am credentialed to accept the following insurances: Aetna, Cigna, Optum. I've partnered with Alma and you can verify your eligibility through them.  Click here to view the list of participating insurance plans.(https://support.helloalma.com/hc/en-us/articles/360052213913-Participating-Insurance-Plans-and-Geographies)
 
I also offer a free 15-minute consultation to new clients. The consultation is meant to offer a chance to answer any questions you may have about me, teletherapy services, and whether I might be a good therapeutic match for you. If during this consultation we find that you would benefit from working with another therapist, I’m happy to help you find one that is a better match for you.

Question 14

HOW DO I PAY FOR SESSIONS?

Accepted Answer

For out-of-pocket clients, you will be charged for the session after it is completed. If you are using insurance, claims and payments are processed through Alma.(https://helloalma.com/how-it-works/?utm_campaign=9034881037&utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid&utm_content=677644701248&utm_term=p_alma%20providers&adgroupid=91337800797&gclid=CjwKCAiAmZGrBhAnEiwAo9qHiUX7KOutL65NDUYkPOQq_kcbtAg6iMaA0pcLIKG_ebUBtF7YhrZ0GxoCb9wQAvD_BwE&restored=1701125754649) You may use a debit or credit card.

Question 15

DO YOU OFFER A SLIDING SCALE?

Accepted Answer

I do not offer a sliding scale at this time.

Question 16

WHAT IS THE CANCELLATION POLICY IF I CANNOT MAKE IT TO A SESSION?

Accepted Answer

If you cannot make it to a therapy session, I request that you provide at least 24 hours notice to cancel. This allows other clients the opportunity to schedule that slot if needed.
 
Late cancellations (appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours notice) and no-shows will be charged $30 for a thirty-minute session, $50 for a sixty-minute session, and $65 for a ninety-minute session.

Question 17

WHAT IS YOUR POLICY ON FMLA/DISABILITY FORMS? CAN YOU PROVIDE THIS PAPERWORK IF I NEED IT?

Accepted Answer

If you request any letters, forms, or any other paperwork to be completed, such as FMLA or disability forms, please be advised that there is a fee for paperwork. The fee is $160 per hour. FMLA paperwork generally requires a minimum of 30 minutes to complete, due to the need for supporting clinical documentation.

Short-term disability often takes longer to complete, and may require additional assessments beyond the regular intake evaluation. The time required to make copies or prepare and send faxes, and any other administrative business (e.g. preparing releases of information or requests for records; phone calls to lawyers or other non-clinical calls) not directly related to the provision of clinical services, will also be assessed based on a rate of $160, with a minimum fee of $40.

Hinshaw Counseling will not complete any FMLA, disability, other paperwork or letters of support unless therapist has met with you for at least 6-8 sessions. Hinshaw Counseling will also not provide any FMLA or disability paperwork if therapist does not believe it can be clinically supported based on what has been presented at intake and during sessions.

Question 18

WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?

Accepted Answer

Though I reside in the United States, I only offer remote, teletherapy services and do not have a physical therapy office at this time. I am licensed to provide teletherapy within California, Florida, District of Columbia, Arizona, and Virginia.

Question 19

CAN I CALL/TEXT YOU?

Accepted Answer

Yes! I can be reached at (916) 517-4754 through call or text. Please note that I might not respond right away as I may be in session. I do my best to respond within two business days.

My fax number is (530) 362-7585.

Question 20

DO YOU HAVE EVENING OR WEEKEND AVAILABILITY?

Accepted Answer

Yes! I offer appointments on Saturdays, and I do offer evening appointments on both weekends and weekdays. If you do not see an appointment slot available on the scheduler that you need, please reach out to me and I’ll see if I can accommodate your request or notify you of a cancelled appointment slot.
​
My availability is more limited around and on major holidays.

Question 21

DOES WHAT WE TALK ABOUT IN THERAPY REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL?

Accepted Answer

What we discuss in therapy will remain confidential, per HIPAA law. However, therapists are mandated reporters. There are limits to confidentiality when abuse or potential for serious harm is reported. Conditions in which confidentiality might be broken include:
 • A client reporting that they are a danger to themselves and/or to others.
 • A client reporting that they are abusing a minor.
 • A minor client reporting that they are being abused.

Other circumstances in which confidentiality could be broken include:
 • Other people being present during a session (specifically if a client chooses to not conduct a teletherapy session in a private setting).
 • A client signing a release of information form allowing for disclosure of information. (You may also specify which information you would like disclosed and which you would not like disclosed.)
 • A court subpoena is received for your records.

As of this writing, I do not employ administrative or support staff to review records. I also do not share my records with any researchers.

Question 22

CAN I DECIDE TO SEE A DIFFERENT THERAPIST?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Clients may change therapists for different reasons, such as requiring someone with a certain specialty, requesting a specific preference (such as a therapist of a certain gender or religion), or seeking out a more appropriate therapeutic match. I encourage you to get specific about the type of therapist you are seeking. It’s okay to “interview” a few therapists to determine who will be a good fit for you.

Question 23

WHAT IF I DON’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING?

Accepted Answer

Not wanting to talk about something is totally fine! Sessions are meant to discuss what is relevant and important to you. When appropriate, I often challenge clients on topics that might be relevant to their goals. (For example, reframing negative self-talk.) However, I will respect the need to not push any topics that you say are off-limits for you.

Hinshaw Counseling

Ana Hinshaw, LCSW

Hinshaw Counseling

Ana Hinshaw, LCSW

Individual therapy for healthcare workers, helpers, and high-performing professionals navigating anxiety, trauma, and burnout.

Licensed in AZ, CA, DC, FL, and VA

NAVIGATION

Home

About

Services

CONTACT

anahinshaw@hinshawcounseling.com

(916) 517-4754 (call/text)

(530) 362-7585 (fax)

Schedule a Consultation →

Hinshaw Counseling

Ana Hinshaw, LCSW

​Individual therapy for healthcare workers, helpers, and high-performing professionals navigating anxiety, trauma, and burnout.

Licensed in AZ, CA, DC, FL, and VA

NAVIGATION

CONTACT

(916) 517-4754 (call/text)

(530) 362-7585 (fax)

Individual therapy for healthcare workers, helpers, and high-performing professionals navigating anxiety, trauma, and burnout.