Call Now to set up a free 15 minute phone consultation: 404-849-2543
Sharon Burtzlaff, MA, LPC
Counseling and EMDR therapy for anxiety, trauma, and depression in the Marietta, East Cobb, Roswell, Woodstock, Kennesaw, and surrounding areas
Telemental Health is also available throughout the state of Georgia & Florida.
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 - $145
53-minute Psychotherapy Session - $135
- 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.