Frequently asked questions

I am new to therapy - What can I expect?

If you have never been to therapy before you may be nervous at first reaching out for help. I understand. However, I believe you will find me to be warm and compassionate and easy to talk to. I strive to make my clients feel relaxed and at ease and I understand how nervous it can be to meet a therapist for the first time. I believe reaching out for help is so brave and can be the first step you take on your road to empowerment.

The first session is just you telling me your story in a way that feels best for you. I will also ask questions to help me get to know you even better. From there, we will work together to establish some goals that you would like to achieve and you will leave the first session with at least one new coping skill that you can put into place immediately to improve your current circumstances.

If you are a parent of a child who you are seeking therapy for, I will meet with just you for the first session without your child. It is important that you have that time to give me a family background and explain the issues that you have noticed your child experiencing. Together, we will set goals for your child and I will give you a better idea of what a typical session with your child would look like.

After the first session, we will set up a time on my schedule to meet regularly (usually weekly at first) to work on skills to help you meet your or your child's goals. Some goals take just a few months to meet some take longer. Many times you may meet a goal and discover a new one that you would like help achieving. You are in the driver’s seat and can stop or continue therapy as long as you would like.



I have been around the therapy block - How are you different than my previous therapists?

I have been told by my clients that have been in therapy before that they really appreciate my style of therapy and have learned more about themselves and more techniques for healing in a short amount of time than they have in years of therapy with other providers.

First, I LOVE what I do and I think it shows to my clients. They immediately feel like they matter and they always get to have a voice in the safe space I hold for them. Additionally while I am warm and compassionate in my approach, I am also direct. What that means is, I wont waste your time or money just listening and telling you only what is easy for you to hear. I will challenge you to think about your problems in new ways and I will always encourage you to take responsibility for the things you can control.

Furthermore, I am trained in EMDR therapy, which is a modality that can break through stuck negative memories and make them less distressful in a quicker amount of time than regular psychotherapy can. Most of us have some form of trauma in our past that is putting walls around us in our present situations and causing us problems in relationships. Taking down those walls with EMDR therapy can improve many mental health symptoms and allow more clarity.



Do you take insurance?

I run a small, boutique style private practice and have chosen not to have my client’s mental health driven by managed care at this time. I have chosen this because health insurance mandates that I make a mental illness diagnosis after only meeting with you for one 50-minute session. Most of the time, people are just going through a relationship issue, a life transition or a trauma from the past is causing symptoms of anxiety or depression but they do not have an official mental illness. However, if managed care is used I am required to give a mental illness diagnosis on you or your child which can be on your record when applying for life insurance and clearance for some jobs.

Furthermore, I prefer to keep your records confidential but managed care enforces that your session information is given to them upon request. Insurance also dictates how often you can be seen and can put a limit on your sessions without even knowing your current personal situation.

Lastly, insurance providers often give false information about client’s copays and deductibles, which leads to monetary surprises for the client and denial of claims for the therapist and lots of additional paperwork and long phone calls to the insurance company for both you and your therapist. Therapy is supposed to be a place you can relax and feel safe knowing exactly how much you are paying and that your record will be confidential without any surprises, but with insurance this is not always the case.

If you are not concerned about the above risks and it would be helpful for you to use your insurance to reduce the cost of therapy, I am considered an Out of Network Provider and would be happy to provide you with a receipt called a "Super Bill" that you can send in to your insurance company to get possible full or partial reimbursement. Full payment will be due by you to Renewed You Counseling Services, LLC at the time of your session and a receipt will be given after payment that you can send in to your insurance for reimbursement.

It is important to note that you can also use your Flex Spending Account or Health Savings Account to pay for services. This helps save you money by using tax-free money to pay for services.



How much do you charge?

Therapy is an investment in your life - career, relationships, health and future. The return on investment and value of counseling are immeasurable considering the lifelong impact it can have on your life. Furthermore, you may even make the money back financially by gaining more self confidence, the ability to have more of a voice and therefore be more assertive to get that promotion or have the confidence to start that dream job. Some clients end up saving money in other ways such as no longer feeling the need to "buy" their happiness with new stuff anymore. Additionally, the time and energy you would normally use to feel stuck and ruminate about your problems and be unproductive will give way to a lot more energy, organization, productivity and fresh new ideas.

Fee:

60-minute Intake Session - $160

53-minute Psychotherapy Session - $150

  • Sessions scheduled over this time will be pro-rated based on the 53-min session.
  • Phone calls past 15 min will be pro-rated on the 53-min session time.

Payment accepted:

Cash, check, credit card, FSA card or HSA card.

Full payment is due at time of service.



Is your office handicap accessible?

Renewed You Counseling Services, LLC is located on the second floor of a professional office building that does not have an elevator. However, for those who have trouble accessing the office easily for any reason, Renewed You Counseling Services, LLC offers TeleMental Health Counseling through a secure platform at the same rate as in-person office visits. Furthermore, TeleMental Health Counseling has been shown to have equal effectiveness as in-person counseling. When making your appointment, please tell your therapist if TeleMental Health Counseling is something you may be interested in.



What states are you licensed in?

I am licensed to provide in-person and teletherapy to anyone located in the state of Georgia and teletherapy only to all who are located in Florida (https://mqa-internet.doh.state.fl.us/MQASearchServices/HealthCareProviders).



What is your practices response to COVID19?

In order to be sure to protect both therapist and clients, Renewed You Counseling is providing video-based counseling only for current and new clients at this time until further notice. Video-based counseling has been shown in research to be as effective, if not more, than in-person counseling and is much more convenient! Give me a call or send an email today to schedule your free 15 min consultation to see how easy, safe, and helpful video counseling can be.



The No Surprises Act and Good Faith Estimate

As part of the, No Surprises Act put into law on 1/1/22, you are entitled to receive this “Good Faith Estimate” of what the charges could be for psychotherapy services provided to you by an out-of-network provider. While it is not possible for a psychotherapist to know, in advance, how many psychotherapy sessions may be necessary or appropriate for a given person, this form provides an estimate of the cost of services provided. Your total cost of services will depend upon the number of psychotherapy sessions you choose to attend, your individual circumstances, and the type and amount of services that are provided to you. This estimate is not a contract and does not obligate you to obtain any services from the provider(s) listed, nor does it include any services rendered to you that are not identified here. This Good Faith Estimate is not intended to serve as a recommendation for treatment or a prediction that you may need to attend a specified number of psychotherapy visits. The number of visits that are appropriate in your case, and the estimated cost for those services, depend on your needs and what you agree to in consultation with your therapist. You are entitled to disagree with any recommendations made to you concerning your treatment and you may discontinue treatment at any time. Out-of-network provider(s) or facility name and informaion: Sharon Burtzlaff, MA LPC Renewed You Counseling Services., LLC
License #: LPC009801
Provider Address: 2993 Sandy Plains Rd Suite 125 Marietta GA, 30066
Provider Phone #: 404-849-2543
Provider Tax ID #: 101YP2500X
Provider NPI #: 1770081036 The following is a detailed list of expected charges to see this provider. The estimated costs are valid for 12 months from the date of this Good Faith Estimate unless a new Good Faith Estimate is given before the 12 months. Most clients will attend one psychotherapy visit per week, but the frequency of psychotherapy visits that are appropriate in your case may be more or less than once per week, depending upon your needs. * Service Code (CPT code) 90791: 60 min Initial Diagnostic Evaluation (First Session): $160 * Service Code (CPT code) 90837: Psychotherapy - 53 minutes (This fee is my hourly rate for all sessions after the first & used for all prorated calculations as indicated): $150 * Service Code (CPT code) 98966-98968: Telephone Assessment & Management: Prorated based on the amount of time spent at the hourly rate * Cancelation Fee: Your Therapist Requires a 48-Hour Cancelation Fee: You are Responsible for the Fee of the Appointment Missed * Production of Records or Requested Letters: Prorated based on the amount of time spent at the hourly rate * Legal Fees: Due to the nature of the therapeutic process and that it often involves making a full disclosure with regard to many matters which may be of a confidential nature, you agree that should there be legal proceedings (such as, but not limited to divorce and custody disputes, injuries, lawsuits, etc.), neither you (client) nor anyone else acting on your behalf will call on me to testify in court or at any other proceeding. However, if my appearance at court is required by law and you signed a release form allowing this, my fee is $1,500 per day and must be paid in full 30 days prior to the expected court date. Total Estimate: This Good Faith Estimate explains your therapist’s rate for each service provided. Your therapist will collaborate with you throughout your treatment to determine how many sessions and/or services you may need to receive the greatest benefit based on your diagnosis(es)/presenting clinical concerns. Again, the number of visits that are appropriate in your case, and the estimated cost for those services, depends on your needs and what you agree to in consultation with your therapist. You are entitled to disagree with any recommendations made to you concerning your treatment and you may discontinue treatment at any time. *Please note that the Place of Service (in-office vs. telemental health) is not delineated above since the charges are identical.



© 2022 Renewed You Counseling Services, LLC.

2993 Sandy Plains Rd, Suite 125, Marietta, GA 30066

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