Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between therapy and counseling?

In some contexts therapists and counselors are distinguished by their training and/or the service they provide. At Tea Cup Counseling, we use the words interchangeably. 

How long is a typical session? 

At Tea Cup Counseling a “therapeutic hour” is 60 minutes in length. When needed, we offer longer sessions in person and shorter sessions by phone or teleconference when it is not possible to sit down face to face.

Do you take private insurance?

Tea Cup Counseling is currently unable to bill private insurance companies. We are glad to provide “super bills” that can be submitted to any insurance company for reimbursement as an out-of-network provider. For more information please contact us and we will be glad to walk through the details of your particular insurance coverage.

What is your hourly rate?

Our hourly rate is $151.50 per 60 minute hour, $189.38 for a 75 minute session and $227.25 for 90 minute session. These numbers may seem oddly specific to clients that have not worked with us before, and you would be right, they are odd and strangely specific! Here’s the rationale: Many years ago we set our hourly rate to a reasonable, whole number. Over the years, as inflation rose, we have not wanted to increase our rates more than the rate of inflation as a matter of principle. As such, as inflation rose, our rates have taken on, to the penny sums. While this may be atypical, we believe it is a concrete way to keep the cost of therapy as low as possible, while preserving our ability to make a living.

Do you have a sliding scale fee? 

Yes. We have a limited number of sliding scale spaces available in our practice. Please speak to us directly if you would like to discuss a sliding fee and we would be glad to work out the details with you.

Will I need to pay extra for art supplies?

Tea Cup Counseling is happy to provide a variety of art materials to you at no extra cost. If during the course of therapy, it appears as though the amount of material required exceeds what we are able to provide, clients will be offered the following options: 1. Assistance in locating the material for purchase by the client, or 2. Tea Cup Counseling will purchase the material on behalf of the client and these materials will be billed separately from the session fees. Clients will always be in control regarding if and when extra materials are purchased on their behalf. You will never receive a charge you were not expecting.

Do you offer therapy over the phone, or through video conferencing?

Yes. While in general we prefer to sit down together in person, we understand this is not always possible. When necessary, we are glad to provide telephone and teleconferencing sessions. 

Can you prescribe medicine?

No, we cannot directly prescribe medications. However, we are happy to work with a prescriber if you already have one, or will assist you in locating one if you do not. 

How do I know when I am done seeing a therapist?

This is a very personal choice and does not neatly follow a universal prescription. Generally speaking, people come to therapy because aspects of their lives are stuck, painful or otherwise not working the way they would like them to. For some, completion of therapy is signaled by the absence of symptoms, e.g. no longer feel stuck in a relationship to a child, partner, profession, etc. For others, the completion of a therapeutic cycle may occur alongside life stages, such as, my child has learned to self-soothe and relate to other children in a more appropriate and satisfying way. There is no singular right way to engage in, or maintain a therapeutic relationship. During certain periods of life it may look like having contact as frequently as once or twice per week - while during others, once a month, or a few times per year may be the right balance. We will work with each individual, family, or couple to determine a rhythm and pace that is right for you.