Frequently Asked Questions
Why choose Rainbow Bridge Pet Loss & Compassion Fatigue Counseling?
While there are a handful of different "grief support counselors" or "grief specialists" out there who do a good job at addressing solely grief symptoms, a lot of the time those counselors/specialists are not licensed therapists; meaning, they are unable to focus treatment on other areas the client may be struggling with. The grieving process can sometimes just be "grief" symptoms, but more often than not, it can also be accompanied by other symptoms such as anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, self-harming behaviors, etc. With Rainbow Bridge Pet Loss & Compassion Fatigue, you will be working with a licensed therapist who will be able to also address those additional symptoms/struggles and include them in your treatment. Compassion fatigue can also be accompanied by additional symptoms, making seeing a licensed therapist a good idea for those same reasons.
How can therapy help me?
While we go through a lot on a daily basis in our lives that we are able to cope with on our own, sometimes it is helpful to have new set of ears and heart to assist you through your journey. Regardless if this is your first pet loss, or if you have experienced many losses throughout your lifetime, it shows a lot of strength to reach out for support. Therapy can assist you in coping with and processing your emotions surrounding your loss or anticipated loss, and help you learn how to integrate your grief and loss into your life in a healthy manner. We can also work together to help you cope through difficult emotional aspects and difficult decision making in palliative and hospice care for your pet, help you prepare for your loss and saying goodbye, and guide you in creating happy memories with your pet. Whether you are struggling with pet loss, compassion fatigue, or another animal related emotional struggle, we can work together to make meaning of events and find ways to relieve some of the pain and find peace throughout your end-of-life journey with your pet.
What can I expect during my therapy sessions?
We will work together to explore what you would like to get out of therapy and will collaboratively develop goals for your treatment. While the main focus will be on your established goals, each session may look a little different. Treatment and sessions are catered to the client’s individual needs. My approach is very client-centered and while we might have a previously discussed plan set for any given session on what we will be working on, I find strong importance in exploring and addressing current struggles that the client brings to session that day. Especially when it comes to loss and grief, emotions and struggles can change as quickly as the direction of the wind. I enjoy being fully present for my clients to assist them with what they need most in that moment. You can expect to be treated in a compassionate, respectful, and understanding manner. Regardless if you are grieving the loss of a fish, guniea pig, cat, dog, or horse, no loss is “too small”, every loss is important, and every life matters.
What does therapy cost? Do you take insurance?
Each individual therapy session is 50-minutes and sessions are typically scheduled once a week, depending on the client’s individual needs. The rate per individual session is $100 for clients paying out-of-pocket. Groups are 90 minutes long and the rate per group session is $25. I currently accept the following types of insurance:
Aetna
Cigna
ComPsych (EAP)
Optum
Spring Health (EAP)
Out-of-Network (Superbills available upon request)
I offer a limited number of reduced rate slots for clients with a low income and/or no insurance coverage, but please contact me prior to scheduling your first session to discuss.
What is a Good Faith Estimate?
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give clients who don’t have insurance, or who are not using insurance, an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit: www.cms.gov/nosurprises
What is the cancellation policy?
There is a 24-hour cancellation policy, unless otherwise previously discussed. If you do not notify me 24-hours in advance of your scheduled session time, you will be required to pay the full cost of the session. Sessions are usually scheduled on the hour. If you are running 15 minutes late to your session and have not contacted me letting me know you will be a little late, your session will be cancelled and you will be responsible for the full fee for that session. If you do contact me that you are running late, we will still have the session from the time you do arrive up until the natural ending time of your session (e.g., if your session is scheduled for 3pm and you arrive at 3:20pm, your session will still be held until 3:50pm) and you will still be responsible for the full fee of that session.
How long does therapy take?
Therapy is a very individual process; therefore, there is no set timeframe as to how long your treatment will be. Some clients seek therapy for short-time support during a difficult time (e.g. perhaps for support in processing a non-complex, single loss), while others seek more long-term support (e.g., for support during an entire loss process: anticipatory grief, the loss itself, and coping/healing after the loss). I offer services for an array of animal related emotional struggles, in which allows for wide variation in treatment needs and timeframes.
Is therapy confidential?
Therapy sessions are by nature confidential, to create an environment of safety and trust for healing to take place. By law, information is not disclosed to third-parties without written consent from the client, with a few exceptions:
If the client discloses suspected child, adult, or dependent adult abuse, the therapist is required to contact appropriate authorities immediately.
If the client discloses threat of serious bodily harm toward another individual, the therapist is required to contact law enforcement.
If the client has intent to harm themself, the therapist will work with the client to ensure the client’s safety, but the therapist may be required to take additional steps to ensure the client’s well-being and safety if the client is uncooperative or if safety can not be ensured.