Frequently Asked Questions
I’m here to help.
Life’s already confusing as is – getting started together doesn’t have to be. Check out some need-to-know’s below. Anything we didn’t cover? Reach out to me here.
My private pay rates for sessions are as follows:
– 50 minute individual/trauma session: $165
– 80 minute individual/trauma session: $200
– 50 minute parent coaching session: $165
Session payments are automatically collected via a secure and HIPAA compliant payment processing system (Stripe) which is integrated into our EHR platform. Policies regarding practice fees (such as late cancellation fees) will be outlined in the intake paperwork!
You also have a right to receive a Good Faith Estimate to reasonably estimate the cost of anticipated services. Click here to learn more.
Please note: I currently have a full caseload and am only accepting clients on a waitlist basis. If you are in need of immediate mental health support, click here for a list of resources.
I understand the financial imitations of private pay therapy and will work with clients to provide accessible care where I can by offering sliding scale rates for those in need. I believe counseling should be accessible and available to those who need it. A part of my continuing decolonizing mental health practice is to not allow the cost of treatment to be a barrier to receiving care.
Sliding scale spots are limited and open to those who cannot afford to pay a private pay rate due to financial strain. Please indicate in the contact form if you are in need of sliding scale services, and we will discuss together a rate that feels sustainable for you. As sliding scale spots are limited in availability, QTBIPOC will have priority on availability.
Please note: I currently have a full caseload and am only accepting clients on a waitlist basis. If you are in need of immediate mental health support, click here for a list of resources.
Unfortunately, I do not accept insurance at this time, but I can provide you with a superbill for potential insurance reimbursement. It is up to your insurance company to deny or accept via superbill, so please contact your insurance to understand your out-of-network benefits.
Being in network with insurance requires the clinician to provide a diagnosis and treatment plan. As trauma therapy is often an intensive and long-term process, most insurances will not cover prolonged therapy. I also do not believe that a diagnosis is necessary for treatment, so being a private pay practice allows me to separate from diagnosis and to focus on providing care.
I currently see clients virtually via a secure and HIPAA compliant telehealth platform (Sessions Health). After deciding to move forward together, I will walk you through next steps of scheduling, payment, and paperwork. You will be emailed a secure telehealth reminder before every session, and we will meet on that platform for your appointment.
The nature of being telehealth allows for a ton of flexibility with scheduling, for clients to be in the comfort of their own homes, and gives me the opportunity to work closely with folks all over Texas! Though I am based in Austin, I have clients who live all over Texas. Over the past 4+ years, I have not found that telehealth has impeded my connection with my clients at all. However, if this is something that concerns you, I am happy to discuss further during our consult call or refer you to a therapist with in-person availability.
Therapy sessions usually last 50 minutes, with 80 minute sessions also available for those in a higher need of support or who would benefit from extended sessions. We’ll start with 50 minute sessions (weekly to start) and as we get to know each other, we can better determine together the length & frequency of sessions that best suits your needs.
Parent coaching sessions are 50 minutes, though clients can request (an) extended session(s) of 80 minutes.
On average, research shows that it takes 8-10 weekly sessions for clients to build trust and rapport with a new therapist. As a baseline minimum, I would recommend 8-10 weekly sessions to begin seeing progress towards sustainable change. This varies person to person depending on their goals with counseling!
The therapeutic relationship is unique in its nature, particularly so in trauma therapy. In my experience, majority of my clients are interested in longer term support and building a deep intimacy as we walk through life together. Barring any financial stressors or moving out of state, I typically see clients from at least 1 year onwards (majority of my clients have been with me for 1-4 years+)!
I have the great pleasure and joy of being in my clients lives for years; a privilege I do not take for granted! However long your therapy journey takes you is something I will always support. Think of it as a lifelong journey, not necessarily a destination – just depends where you’re going and how you want to get there. Either way, I’m so happy to be on the journey with you.
I recommend scheduling weekly therapy appointments to get the most out of therapy, especially in the beginning of our relationship as we build trust and rapport. However, each person has different needs and we will best determine frequency of sessions once we begin working together.
I do not provide emergency services; either medical or psychiatric. If you or someone you know is in danger or experiencing an emergency, please contact your local emergency services and/or head to your nearest hospital. I encourage you not to wait for communications from me before you seek first responder help, as your safety is the first priority.
Though I do not provide emergency services, I have compiled a list of crisis resources (along with others) to support facilitating care.
Congratulations on wanting to begin your therapy journey! You can contact me by clicking here to be redirected to the Contact page, where you can send me a brief message of what you’re seeking for in therapy at this time. You can also send me a direct email at celestie@birdsong-psychotherapy.com with a brief message and consultation request.
I will respond to you within 48 hours to schedule a free 15 minute phone consultation. We’ll chat about your therapy goals, my therapy approach, and other logistics such as scheduling. You’ll have a chance to ask me any additional questions and we’ll use that time to determine if we’re a good fit for each other. If we decide to move forward together, I will walk you through the next steps of setting up an appointment and submitting your intake paperwork!
Please note: I currently have a full caseload, and am accepting potential clients on a waitlist basis only. If you are in need of immediate mental health support, please click here for a list of resources.
Congratulations on taking this brave first step! Starting therapy can feel like a big leap, and it’s totally okay to feel a mix of nerves and curiosity. I’m here to meet you exactly where you are.
We’ll begin with a free 15-minute consult call to get a feel for one another and see if we’re a good fit. It’s a chance for you to share what you’re looking for in a therapist, ask questions, and let me know a bit about your goals for therapy. If we decide to move forward, I’ll send over a few forms and we’ll schedule our first session together.
Since I work virtually, you’ll want to find a quiet, private space for our time together. Sessions can be done from your phone, tablet, or computer — whatever feels most comfortable and accessible for you.
Our first session is all about laying the groundwork. We’ll talk about what brings you to therapy, touch on important parts of your story, and explore what you’re hoping to get out of our work together. We’ll also go over things like confidentiality, practice policies, and any questions you might have about my style or approach.
Most importantly, we’ll begin building a connection. Together, we’ll start shaping meaningful goals, developing coping tools, and gently building trust, at your pace. It’s totally normal if it feels a bit awkward at first. You’re not expected to open up right away or feel “better” after one session. What matters is that you get a sense of whether this space feels supportive and if I might be the right fit for you.
Before we wrap up, we’ll leave time to talk through next steps — whether you’re someone who likes a bit of reflection or “homework” between sessions, how often you’d like to meet, or any clarifying questions you have. I’m here to support you every step of the way.
