Frequently Asked Questions
About Therapy & Getting Started
What can I expect during our first session? The first session is all about getting to know each other. Your therapist will ask you a lot of questions, which can sometimes feel overwhelming. Please let us know if a subject comes up that you don't feel comfortable discussing. We don't have to throw *everything* on the table on day 1. Breaks are also welcome - just ask. Don't forget that the first session (or "intake") is also an opportunity for you to get to know your therapist and how they do therapy. We invite you to ask us questions too!
How long is a session and how often would we meet? Intake evaluations are required for all new clients and last 1 hour. Individual and group therapy sessions are 50-60 minutes in length. But this might vary depending on the type of therapy provided. Skills & Life Coaching services are typically scheduled as 30-minute sessions. The frequency of appointments can vary depending on things like availability, insurance, finances, and clinical need. We typically schedule clients for weekly sessions - especially early on and while we're getting to know each other. But you will work with your therapist to determine what works best for you.
How do I prepare for my first session? Should I bring anything? If all you do for that first appointment is show up, we're happy! But there are some additional things that would be helpful in preparation for our first session: Check your email because shortly after your first appointment is scheduled, you will receive a message with helpful information and reminders. Bring your insurance card or a copy of it (if applicable). Think about why you are starting or returning to therapy? Any specific goals in mind? Bring any recent and / or relevant medical / psychiatric records that would be helpful for your therapist to understand your needs. Psychiatric discharge paperwork and /or psychological evaluations are helpful when applicable. Bring a list of any current medications you take (both prescription and over-the-counter). Dose and frequency information is also helpful. Let us know ahead of time if you have any special needs or accommodations. Take a deep breath and remember that we are here to help and you are in control!
What's therapy really like? I love this question! Because it highlights the diversity of what therapy really is and can be. Ultimately you should always feel comfortable and safe with your therapist - even when you experience the discomfort that sometimes happens with difficult topics. At Kismet Mental Wellness, your therapist will always be professional. But every therapist also has their own style in how they work. This is sometimes a big factor in finding a good fit. The environment we try to create is one that is welcoming and casual, but also appropriately professional.
I feel nervous meeting and talking to new people but want to start therapy. What should I do? We want to work with you to make the process of starting or returning to therapy as comfortable as possible. There are many ways that we could accommodate your needs to help you feel prepared and make the process go smoothly. The first stage of therapy is always about getting to know one another and allowing time for you to gain trust in that relationship. So you set the pace for how fast or slow we move!
What if I feel like we're not a good fit? This is an important question! There are many factors that affect the therapeutic relationship and sometimes it just might not feel like a good fit. At the end of the day, all your therapist wants is for you to achieve your goals and be well. So if that's more likely to happen by working with someone else, we want to help you get there. Because *it's not about us - it's about you*! If you feel like you and your therapist just aren't vibing, we encourage you to talk with them about it. Maybe the issue can be resolved or maybe a new therapist is needed. Either way, we are happy to help you figure out what makes a good fit and how to find it.
Do you offer a consultation before starting therapy? Yes! Please see visit our "Contact" page to request a FREE 15-minute consultation.
How long does therapy usually last? This will vary depending on a lot of things like goals, commitment, and presenting concerns. But you can always start or stop therapy whenever you see fit. If you want to see a therapist to learn specific skills or work through a single issue that's troubling you - great, we got you! People sometimes assume that therapy means you have to "dive deep" or share your deepest emotional experiences. And while therapists do tend to love that, we don't *have* to do that work - if that's not what you're ready or wanting to do.
Crisis & Emergencies
What should I do if I'm in crisis? Call 911 for an immediate emergency; or contact the National Suicide Hotline at 988
Are you available for emergency sessions? Generally speaking, no - but it can be considered based on a case-by-case needs assessment. If crisis or resilience planning is needed, you and your therapist will work together to determine individualized steps and resources available during times of crisis.
Logistics
What are your office hours? Our hours of operation are currently 8am to 6pm, Monday - Friday. Client sessions are available for scheduling on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 11am - 5pm.
Do your offer in-person, virtual, or hybrid sessions? Currently we offer Telehealth, with in-person services starting in May 2025. Clients will have the option to continue with virtual services, start meeting in-person, or utilize both options. *Please note that insurance can sometimes impact a client's ability to utilize Telehealth services.
Where is your office located? Starting in May 2025, we will be located at: 4848 S 76th St., Greenfield, WI. Conveniently located just off 894, right by Southridge Mall. **This location is by appointment only**
How do I schedule or change an appointment? For new clients, you can submit a request for services through the "Contact" page on our website. You can also email info@kismetmentalwellness.com or call Carrie directly at 262-510-2838. For existing clients, please contact your therapist directly if you need to schedule, cancel or reschedule an appointment.
What is your cancellation policy? We ask for a 24-hour notice for cancellations. Cancellations made prior to this window will incur no fee. Cancellations made without a 24-hours’ notice but is prior to the start of the session will incur a $50 late-cancellation fee. No-shows or cancellations made after the start of the session will incur the full fee for the service scheduled. When a therapy session occurs, you are paying for the therapist's time as well as their skills. So when late-cancellations and no-shows happen, that is time and income that your therapist is unable to 'make up'. When we have adequate notice of a cancellation, your therapist can at least use that time productively. Additionally, consistent engagement in therapy is in your best interest. You and your therapist enter an agreement that is focused on helping you achieve your goals. So attending your scheduled appointments is only going to help you get closer to that goal! Please note that we understand that sometimes life can be unpredictable, making that 24-hour cancellation window difficult or impossible. For that reason, we offer 2 "freebies" per client, per year. If you have additional questions about our cancellation policy, please don't hesitate to ask. We are here to clarify any of your questions or concerns.
Payment & Insurance
How much does a session cost? For clients with insurance: check with your insurance provider to determine your financial responsibility. Our standard rates for services is as follows: Intake Evaluation: $200 Individual Therapy: $150 / session Family & Couples Therapy: $175 / session Skills & Life Coaching: $50 / 30-minute session (self-pay only) This will be updated at a later date to reflect additional services, as those services become available.
Do you accept insurance? Which plans? We currently accept WI Medicaid and United Behavioral Healthcare/Optum. We also accept Out-of-Network (OON) insurance (superbills provided)
What if I don't have insurance or am unable to use my insurance? We are able to provide a "superbill" which is an itemized receipt that clients can submit to their health insurance company to request reimbursement for services provided. For those without insurance, contact us and we can discuss the possibility of a sliding scale fee (not available for Coaching services).
How do I make payments? You can make a payment through your client portal or with your therapist directly. Service fees or co-pays are due at the time of service or on a schedule agreed upon between you and your therapist.
Privacy & Confidentiality
What is confidentiality and how does it work in therapy? Confidentiality is one of the most important things when it comes to therapy. Basically what it means is that any information your therapist knows about you is private and protected. What you talk about in therapy is private and protected. Even the fact that you come to therapy is private and protected! Therapists are not able to share any information about you with anyone, without your permission. This is a rule outlined by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). How that works in therapy is that your therapist is not allowed to disclose ANY information about you, your history, or anything related to your work in therapy. There are significant consequences for therapists if they are found in violation of HIPAA rules - including the loss of licensure. So we take this privacy rule very seriously! Please contact us or talk with your therapist if you have additional questions about confidentiality and how it applies to you in therapy.
Are there circumstances where you would have to break confidentiality? Yes - and they all have to do with safety. 1: If your therapist believes that you are at risk of harming yourself. -They should work with you to determine next steps, but may be required to call emergency services even if you don't want them to. 2: If your therapist believes that you are at risk of harming someone else. -This involves warning intended victims directly, notifying a law enforcement agency, or taking necessary steps to prevent harm. 3: If you are in a harmful, dangerous, or abusive situation. At Kismet Mental Wellness, we will always make these disclosures limited to *only the information necessary* to keep everyone safe. There is always a process of evaluation in determining the need to break confidentiality. And your therapist will also make their best effort to talk with you about their need to disclose and your preferences in that process.
How do you protect my information? This is another area that falls under the rules outlined by HIPAA. As a business providing medical, mental health services, Kismet Mental Wellness is required to meet HIPAA compliance standards as it relates to how information is stored, managed, and shared. This is often achieved through entering specialized business agreements with contracted agencies that are HIPAA compliant. But there are also additional steps that we take to make sure your information is as safe and protected as possible. Multiple barriers (such as physical locks and / or digital passcodes) are in place to protect both physically and / or digitally stored information. Therapists are also keenly aware of their surroundings to ensure that communications which might contain confidential information occur in private spaces.
Will my therapist creep on my social media? No - or at least they SHOULDN'T. Part of having healthy boundaries in a therapeutic relationship includes allowing the client to present the information they are comfortable with or when they want to. *An exception to this rule may be if your therapist cannot contact you and has reason to believe that you might be in danger.
I'm a minor and my parent will want to know what I talk about. How does that work? -OR- I'm an adult and a family member might be involved with therapy. How does that work? Generally speaking we want to empower each client to share things with others when *they* are ready to do so. So whether you are an adult or minor, your therapist will treat disclosures with care, transparency, and consideration of your needs. But the direct answer to this would somewhat vary - depending if you are an adult (18+ y/o) or a minor (17 and younger). For Adults: Your therapist cannot share ANY confidential information (personal and identifying) with anyone without your permission. Exceptions to this (and would be outlined in your services agreement) could include the limited information necessary to complete billing processes or other administrative tasks. For Minors: Parents or legal guardians are automatically allowed to be informed about what is happening in their child's therapy. This is an important part of therapy because parent(s) / guardian(s) are a crucial part of a child's life! But respecting a child's right to privacy is also very important in the process of therapy. In all cases, therapists are Mandated Reporters and required - in some situations - to disclose information without your permission. Please see "Are there circumstances where you would have to break confidentiality?" above for more clarification. *How and when information is disclosed by a therapist is always complicated and is often informed by MANY factors. Please talk with your therapist or add this issue to your list of questions when you schedule your free consultation. It's important to us that you feel safe and confident in knowing how information may or may not be shared.