Frequently Asked Questions

Services are generally provided via a HIPAA-compliant video conferencing tool. By special arrangement, some services may be available by phone or in-person. Texting and email are for scheduling purposes only. 

Telemental health (TMH) is a fancy way of referring to mental and behavioral health services provided remotely primarily using video, later growing to include telephone and text.  Therapy via video call has been practiced in the United States since the 1950s and decades of research have shown it can be just as effective as in-person care (Hilty et al, 2013; Molfenter et al, 2015 as cited in Adams et al, 2018). 

"...In most areas of the country, a person can expect to pay $100-$200 per session." - GoodTherapy: How Much Does Therapy Cost?

Purple Wellness is a direct-pay, sliding-scale practice where service fees are based upon client income. Your individual cost per session is calculated as part of the intake process and will be provided for your review before you've committed to anything. If you are struggling to pay your session fees, contact your provider to discuss options. 

Consultation services generally require a minimum commitment of 3 hours. 

Purple Wellness is a direct-pay, sliding-scale practice where service fees are based upon client income. We are what's called an "Out Of Network" (OON) provider for most private insurance plans. This means that while clients must pay up-front for services, Purple Wellness can help you submit documentation to your insurance provider after receiving services to utilize any OON benefits you may have. This means your Purple Wellness costs can still count towards things like your annual maximum out of pocket costs and may qualify for money back from your insurance provider depending upon the specifics of your policy. Please contact your insurance carrier for details about using OON benefits.

Under state law, your work with a Purple Wellness provider is protected very much like work with an attorney would be. This confidentiality applies to all clients age 12+ in Illinois and age 18+ in Kansas.  Everything said in session is confidential with four (4) important exceptions:

1. Supervision - To ensure you get best quality care, LPC, LSW, and Clinical Intern providers meet at least weekly with a more senior therapist to review their caseload and receive consultation on how to approach client needs. If your provider works under clinical supervision, this will be discussed in your intake session and contact information for their clinical supervisor will be provided.

2. Mandated Reporter - As a mandated reporter, if during your work with your provider it becomes apparent a person under the age of 18 or over the age of 60 may be at risk of abuse or neglect, your provider has a legal obligation to ensure everyone is safe. If this concern were to come up, you and your provider would discuss what to do about it together.

3. Suicide or Homicidal Intentions - If at any time there becomes a concern about suicidal or homicidal intentions, your provider has a legal obligation to ensure everyone is safe. If this concern were to come up, you and your provider would discuss what to do about it together. This does not include things like cutting or hair pulling (less-than-lethal self-harm), though you and your provider would talk about how to reduce harm where possible.

4. Court Order - A court could compel Purple Wellness to release certain records. This situation most often occurs in relation to a divorce or child custody situation. If this concern were to come up, you and your provider would discuss what to do about it together.

While clients can reach out to their providers at any time, Purple Wellness is not an emergency services provider. If you find yourself or someone you care about in crisis and in need of immediate support, please consider these resources or your nearest Emergency Room:

• The Trevor Project | LGBT+ Youth Lifeline
  866-488-7386 or visit thetrevorproject.org

• The Trans Lifeline
  877-565-8860 or visit translifeline.org

• The Network / La Red for Intimate Partner Violence
  800-832-1901 or visit tnlr.org/en

• The National Suicide Hotline
  800-273-8255 or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org 

• United Way #211 - Free & Confidential 24/7 help with finding housing, food, healthcare, and more
  Dial 211 on your cell phone or visit United Way of Greater Kansas City or United Way Chicago