Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Thervo.
How much does therapy cost?
Therapy costs$100 to $250 per session if not covered by insurance, depending on the therapist's experience or specialty, therapy type, and your location. Prices are on the high end of the range in major metropolitan areas like Los Angeles and New York. The average cost of therapy with insurance is $20 to $60 per session for the copay.
Online therapy costs$50 to $110 per week and typically includes support through texting, phone, or online chat. Some plans include one or two live video sessions per week with a licensed therapist.
Can therapists prescribe medication?
Therapists are licensed psychologists or counselors but are not medical doctors, and in most states in the U.S. they are not allowed to prescribe medication. Only five states allow licensed psychologists to prescribe medication—Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, and New Mexico—and psychologists in these states must complete additional psychopharmacology training and certification.
In the rest of the U.S., only a medical doctor can prescribe medication. Psychiatrists attend medical school and can prescribe medication, but they typically do not provide talk therapy or counseling services.
Can a therapist diagnose ADHD, autism, depression, or other conditions?
A licensed therapist can give a mental health diagnosis in all states except Indiana and Maine. However, the therapist must refer clients to a psychiatrist or other medical doctor if the condition requires medication. Consult a therapist near you if you have concerns about ADHD, anxiety, depression, autism, or other mental health conditions.
Can I use my Health Savings Account (HSA) for therapy?
You can use your HSA or FSA for therapy if you have a billable diagnosis—such as depression or bipolar disorder—and the therapy is deemed medically necessary. You can't use your HSA or FSA for marriage or family counseling, grief counseling, or therapy for stress management.
Can I see my therapist while traveling?
You can see your therapist while traveling only if your therapist is licensed or legally permitted to practice in the state you're physically located in at the time of the session. Not all states allow interstate therapy practice. Check with your therapist before you leave to confirm they can provide telehealth services across state lines.
How often should I go to therapy?
Most therapists recommend starting with one session per week. After your first session, your therapist will work with you to decide on a schedule that will most benefit you. Some issues require only a few sessions, while others require more extensive treatment.
How can I choose the best therapist near me?
When seeking therapy or mental health care, follow these tips to help you find the right therapist for you:
First consider the type of therapy you'd prefer. Common therapy styles and modalities include:
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy
Psychodynamic therapy
Humanistic therapy
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy
Choose therapists who specialize in treating your condition. Then:
Ask for recommendations from your medical provider.
Read reviews on Thervo and Google.
Confirm the therapist is licensed to practice in your area.
Meet with the therapist for an initial session to make sure their personality and treatment style is a good fit for you.
What questions should I ask therapists?
Ask these questions to help you find a therapist who is the best fit for you:
How long have you been practicing, and what are your certifications?
What therapy style or modalities do you practice?
What is your philosophy as a therapist?
What does a typical therapy session look like?
Are you more directive or guiding as a counselor?
Do you give homework or reading assignments?
How do you determine success in therapy?
What is your success rate in treating past clients with this issue?
Will you see me if I run into problems between sessions?
Reviews for Houston therapists
Recent success stories from people in the Houston area.
S M.
My experiences with MPS has been great! I have learned life-long coping skills that are beneficial for me personally and professionally. The chronic stress that I once suffered has also improved because of Stephen. Stephen is an awesome therapist and Joanna is extremely communicative and professional. She always ensures that my appointments are set and convenient. I recommend MPS to anyone that suffers from anxiety and stress.
MPS
Krystal C.
After the first visit, I was hopeful.
WIN Counseling Services, LLC
Elizabeth R.
Elizabeth T.
Successful Realtor
After complaining to a colleague about the countless hours I had spent with therapists, counselors, psychologists, group meetings and self-help books over the last two years of my life I was referred to a Life Coach named Rich Prim. I could at this point in my life recognize major issues that were causing me problems, however, I struggled to change them. I knew I was not happy, yet I truly did not know how to be happy. I had lots of people telling me what to do, however, when I even tried to take their advice I was not able to do any of it successfully. I did not believe they understood what my personal struggle and situation was like. How could they possibly understand me, if I did not understand myself and why I was the way I was? I recognized I could change my actions every day and become a robot, but it would never last and my feelings inside did not match those actions. I had read enough to identify my problems but none of the therapists, counselors, psychologists, group meetings or self-help books changed how I felt about my situation or offered any solutions that I would even consider a possibility in my life. That is until I met with Rich Prim.
Rich had an approach that was far different than any therapists, counselors or psychologists I had ever met with. In 4 visits with Rich I had come farther in my personal journey, and was able to understand more about myself than I had in all the years with the traditional approaches I used to try to learn how to change my life. I was used to being told what to do -and for me that does not work and would never last even when I really tried. I was able to figure out that even if I truly wanted to change my life for the better, which I did, I cannot just do what I am told. I have to understand, in my own mind, why I should make a change and I have to believe this is right for me. Instead of just telling me what to do, Rich was able to help me uncover, understand and identify why and how my brain works, and direct me to thoughts, habits, beliefs I had no idea were in the way of getting me to my end result…changing. I discovered that I am in essence a lazy human and I created habits and beliefs early on in my life that are so ingrained in me that changing them would be as difficult as convincing my brain that grass is purple, not actually green.
Many people might say that it is the “Life Coach” approach that has helped me. I would strongly argue that it was a combination of Life Coach and Rich Prim. It took someone willing to put in the extra effort and actually listen beyond the words I was saying, this person for me was Rich Prim. He did not offer me the answers, but even better, he showed me how to find them for myself, which naturally brought about change in my life. When my perspective changed my actions just naturally changed. I highly recommend Rich Prim to anyone looking for direction or change in their life, even if they don’t know what direction that is...especially if they do not know what direction that is.
www.RichPrimcoaching.com
Cassie M.
I am the person I am today because of the work that I’ve done with Troy Gremillion. I went to him over eight years ago with a vague sense of unhappiness in my primary relationships and have gained greater insight and self-assurance than I ever imagined possible. I went to other therapists before, and they helped me to successfully manage different situations I was facing at the time. With Troy, however, I forged a truly healing working-relationship that provided the foundation I needed to transform myself into a more grounded, confident self, able to face (imperfectly) whatever inevitable challenges arise. It is because of Troy’s skillfulness, gentleness, consistency, and not to mention hilariousness, that I have been able to do that. He has done the work himself, and it shows. Inspired by the help I received from Troy, I made a career change and am now a therapist for others. I try to pay forward what I have been given by providing the same steadiness, understanding, gentle challenges, and good humor that he has and continues to provide for me. I absolutely cannot recommend him enough.
P. Troy Gremillion, Psychotherapist
D E.
Creativity and being upfront.
GoDaddy Dave Social Media and SEO Marketing Company
Susie S.
Miriam Yager was an excellent coach she got me to a point in my life that I learned how to build boundaries, gained my self esteem, knew how to get rid of narastic men and no longer be treated badly and how to love myself and feel like I could conquer the world . Now because of all her help and guidance and it’s only been since I finished with her in about October I found a wonderful man and I’m in a healthy loving relationship. She’s the best ..
Miriam Yager Coaching
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