Getting Started
How does the consultation process work?
New clients begin with a brief phone consultation. We talk about what brings you in, what you're hoping to work on, and whether we're the right fit. If we are, we schedule a first session. If we aren't, I'll point you toward someone better suited to your needs.
What happens in the first session?
The first appointment is 90 minutes. We review practice policies and confidentiality, then I gather information about your current situation, relevant history, and the goals you'd like to work toward. By the end of the session, I'll share initial thoughts and what I think makes sense as a path forward. You'll also have a feel for whether my style works for you.
How long are sessions and how often do we meet?
Standard sessions are 50 minutes. Couples sessions and intake appointments may run longer. Most clients begin weekly, then move to every other week or monthly as the work progresses. We set the cadence together based on what serves your goals.
Are you accepting new clients? Is there a waitlist?
Currently accepting new clients on a limited basis. The phone consultation is the right way to find out current availability and whether we can schedule a first session in a timeframe that works for you.
Fees & Insurance
Do you accept insurance?
Dr. Frederick files claims with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama as a non-participating provider. Whatever BCBSAL pays is credited against the full session fee, and you are responsible for the difference.
She is out-of-network for all other insurance carriers. For those plans, you pay the full fee at the time of service and may submit the receipt (a superbill provided on request) to your insurer for any out-of-network reimbursement your policy allows.
What are the fees and what forms of payment do you accept?
Specific fees are discussed during the initial phone consultation. Payment is due at the time of service. Credit cards, HSA/FSA cards, and personal checks are accepted.
Why aren't you in-network with more carriers?
Working outside most insurance networks lets the work be guided by your goals, rather than by a diagnosis a carrier requires for reimbursement or a treatment plan a third party has to approve. It also means most of your care doesn't go into an insurance record. The trade-off is direct cost. For clients with BCBSAL coverage, filing the claim recovers part of that cost while preserving the same clinical flexibility.
What is your cancellation policy?
Please provide at least 48 hours' notice for cancellations. Cancellations with less notice (or missed appointments without prior notice) are charged the full session fee. If you arrive late, the session ends at the originally scheduled time.
Practice Specifics
Are sessions confidential?
Yes. What you share in session stays in session. Information is not released without your written consent, with limited legal and ethical exceptions: suspected abuse or neglect of a child, vulnerable adult, or elder; serious threat of harm to yourself or someone else; or a court order.
The only routine exception is for clients using BCBSAL benefits, where a diagnosis and limited claim information are shared with the insurer as required for reimbursement.
Do you offer telehealth?
Yes. Secure, HIPAA-compliant video sessions are available to residents of Alabama. Many clients use a mix of in-person and telehealth sessions depending on their schedules.
Who do you typically work with?
Adults, couples, families, adolescents, and children ages 6 and up. Common reasons clients come in include anxiety and chronic worry, depression, relationship and marital concerns, family conflict, life transitions, grief, and personal growth work.
When would you refer someone elsewhere?
When the issue calls for specialized care this practice does not provide. For example: primary substance use treatment, intensive eating disorder treatment, or psychiatric medication management. In those cases, I'll point you toward providers in the area who specialize in that work.
Working Together
Is it normal to feel hesitant about being fully honest?
Yes, and most clients are, at the start. Therapy works as trust grows, and trust takes time. You don't have to come in with everything sorted out. The work is in showing up and seeing what comes up.
How will I know if therapy is working?
The first marker is usually subtle: things bother you a little less, or differently. Over time, the patterns we've named in session start to show up in your daily life as choices instead of reactions. We check in periodically about whether the work is moving in the direction you want.