Frequently Asked Questions

The first step is to reach out so that we can help you find a counselor that fits your needs and price point. We can even schedule a free 15 m. consultation with one of our therapists.

Then, once you’ve decided on a therapist, we’ll schedule your first appointment and send you some required intake paperwork.

Your first session will occur in-person or virtually, and will be a chance for you to share your goals or concerns with your therapist. And if that’s not totally clear to you, that’s okay, too. Your counselor can help you identify what to work on together.

You won't ever be forced to share something you don't want to share. Your counselor is there to support and guide you in a safe manner towards the goals that you have. That said, one of the greatest gifts a counselor can bring is to ask a question that causes you to consider things from a new angle, and that often leads to personal breakthroughs. 

A typical session lasts 50 minutes. The initial appointment is 50 minutes in length with a therapist of your choosing. If you are not sure if counseling is for you we offer free 15-minute consultations where you can meet with a potential counselor to see if it’s a good fit. 

Our counselors are clinically-trained in a variety of methods to offer you the best possible care. All Watershed therapists are committed Christians who understand the importance of faith and spirituality in life. They always will seek to respect your personal beliefs. Our therapists offer counseling for individuals, couples, teens, and kids, as well as for specific issues.

This is a great question. Our counselors are licensed professionals first, trained in the same evidence-based methods as any professional therapist. What sets faith-integrated counseling apart is that your therapist shares your worldview and can walk alongside you in a way that honors your faith rather than setting it aside. Ultimately, our goal is to provide people the best possible care so that you can flourish emotionally, mentally, relationally, and spiritually. That means drawing from the best models and techniques available as well as from the Christian faith. To dive deeper into this question, please check out our page: “What Is Christian Counseling?”

Absolutely not. We work with many people who are not Christian, post-Christian, or still figuring things out! Ultimately, we will respect the worldview and values you bring into the room. Our job is to offer a space of safety, compassion, and empathy where you can do the work you need to do. For some, integrating Christian faith is really important, and that’s something our therapists are equipped to do. For some, it’s less or not important at all, and our therapists are equipped for that, too.

Yes, we do! All of our therapists offer teletherapy which gives you access to a larger number of therapists from the convenience of your own home. We also have multiple locations for in-person counseling. Learn more about the benefits of teletherapy here. 

It happens. Truth is you’re not going to gel with every counselor, and that’s perfectly normal and okay. While it may take a couple of sessions to get a sense of fit, the important thing is that you feel comfortable processing and sharing the things you need to share with your counselor. We do encourage open and honest conversation if at all possible, but it’s okay to tell your counselor, “I’d like to give another therapist a try.” Ultimately, our therapists want you to find the person who is the right fit for you. Check out our guide, “How to Find the Right Counselor for You.” 

Fact is, a lot of people are turning to AI for mental health purposes. If you’re comfortable using AI, we strongly recommend using it alongside a trained counselor. That’s infinitely safer, better, and more effective. Your counselor can read your body language, sense when you sigh, or start feeling anxious. AI can’t do any of that. So much of counseling is about feeling real human safety, too. So, use it as a complementary tool, but not as a substitute for a real life therapist.

Our therapists fees are based on licensure and experience, ranging from $90 to $210 per session. We are also a training center for new counselors and when our Master's Level Interns are available they are just $60 per session. We realize that therapy is a financial investment. But we firmly believe the life change to be gained is well worth the cost. 

Some of our therapists are in network with insurance providers.  We currently work with the following insurance providers:

• BCBS

• UHC

• Aetna

• Cigna
  

For the therapists that are not in network, we can help you verify your out of network benefits and provide you with a detailed receipt that you may submit to your provider for out of network claims. Your insurance provider will be able to advise you what your out of network benefits are as well.  We have a wide range of fees so can work with most people's budgets. The best thing is to give us a call so we can verify your insurance benefits.

Out-of-Network Benefits (OON) are a heavily underutilized benefit. Many insurance plans offer OON that can cover up to 60% of the cost of therapy. We can help you verify your OON benefits. After your session(s), ask us to provide you with a “Superbill” - a special insurance invoice. You will send that to your insurance provider, and if approved, they will reimburse you.

Watershed Initiative strongly believes in increasing access to affordable mental health care. We have a number of partnerships where referrals are eligible for discounts. If cost is an issue, you can speak with your therapist about your needs and they may be able to help. We’re seeking to create a system that is sustainable for everyone.

If you have to reschedule or cancel a session, please do so 48 hours in advance. If you cancel less than 48 hours in advance, you’ll be charged the full session fee, even if you’re using insurance (as we cannot bill insurance for cancelled sessions). Of course, we understand that unforeseen circumstances do occur. Just talk with your therapist and they can address your cancellation fee on a case-by-case basis.