• Therapy is an individual process and the length of time you are in therapy depends on your individual circumstances. That being said, some insurance plans can limit the number of sessions covered. This is why it is important that you be aware of your mental health benefits if you are utilizing insurance.  

• Generally speaking, many clients begin services on a weekly basis and transition to biweekly then monthly while in their 'maintenance phase' until discharge. Of course, weekly sessions are not necessary for all clients & biweekly are appropriate. Typically, services do not begin on a monthly basis. 

• The client is an 'active' participant in this therapeutic process. You will be asked throughout treatment to identify your goals. We will check-in about the direction we are moving to assure you feel it is most applicable to your success. The therapeutic process is fluid & adaptable.  

• Regarding insurance coverage please be aware insurance plans will rarely cover two sessions or extended time in addition to the standard 60 minutes on one calendar day. This can be relevant if a client is in distress and/or requests a second session or more time on the same day OR a second session is necessary for the counselor & the parent to connect. In this case the claim will be submitted to your insurance. However if the insurance fails to pay, the second session/extended time will be billed at the self pay rates and the credit card on file charged. 

• Regarding two sessions on a weekly basis, this may be an option if a client is in distress and the client & counselor determine this to be temporarily necessary. However, if a client presents with a need for two sessions a week on a regular basis, I would consider this an indicator that more intensive services may be necessary. 

• If a client has repeated missed sessions/late cancellations it may be best to terminate services until the client is more prepared to engage in treatment. I will suggest and move forward in this direction if it is determined to be the case. Please note, if I am scheduling time for you & you continually miss your sessions, I am essentially keeping time from other clients that may need/want that time. 

• Sessions are teletherapy only through video and phone. More often than not we will use the secure video for sessions. Please note, text message is typically only used for scheduling concerns or notifying a parent of a concern with their minor child. 

You may reach out via email, call/text, or the contact form on this website. Please note that in general email may receive the most prompt response. 

Regarding phone calls, if you call please leave a brief yet clear message & indicate what number you receive responses at. Please indicate if you are comfortable receiving a text message response as an initial contact. As always, consider who may have access to your phone/messages as I will have to identify myself by name and likely indicate I am returning a message left with 'Lynette Cisneros Therapy'.  Missed calls with no message left will not be returned. 

North Carolina: Blue Cross Blue Shield (NOT Blue Home), BCBS State Health Plan, Medcost, Ambetter of NC, Aetna, Carolina Behavioral Health Alliance (CBHA)

Florida: BCBS (PPO plans only; NOT FL Blue)

Please send your D.O.B and a picture of the front and back of you insurance card to info@lynettecisnerostherapy.com we will verify in network status to avoid any surprises prior to scheduling.

Once you decide to schedule your initial appointment, you will be sent a link to create a secure client portal and complete all required paperwork/consent forms. You will be asked at that time to provide a credit/debit card or HSA card that will be kept on your file so payment can be automatically charged, based on your estimated copay after each session.

All major credit, debit and HSA cards are accepted.

In this case, a 'courtesy' claim will be submitted to your insurance directly. Your insurance provider would then, if applicable, reimburse you directly or the amount paid may be applied to your deductible.

I strongly encourage that you seek clarification from your insurance plan directly regarding your out-of-network benefits. 

The self pay rates will be collected for out-of-network clients at the end of each session.  

• Does my health insurance plan include mental health benefits? It may be beneficial to inquire about costs related to billing codes 90791 (intake/diagnostic assessment) and 90837 (standard 60min. individual session)

• Do I have a deductible? If so, what is it and have I met it yet?

• Do I have co-insurance rates that apply? 

• Does my plan limit how many sessions per calendar year I can have? If so, what is the limit?

• Do I need written approval from my primary care physician in order for services to be covered?

I can only provide services for clients in North Carolina & Florida, as these are the states I hold active professional mental health licenses in. Mental health providers in general are currently restricted by state licensing rules regarding practicing across state lines.

However, if I may digress, the map is expanding (although it is not active yet).

counselingcompact.org

The Interstate Counseling Compact is in fact significant news for licensed professional counselors as the viability for providing online nationwide mental health services is well supported. Moreover though, this will remove significant obstacles for licensed counselors treating clients who have to relocate across state lines for jobs, academic pursuits or family care situations. Continuity of care is important for a client's progress and well being. Any client who has had their treatment interrupted can likely attest to this. It can be very difficult for some clients to begin again with a new counselor especially during times of transition. 

Under select circumstances services may be provided for older adolescents. Generally speaking I have an expectation that adolescent clients understand there may be times when scheduled or unscheduled communication with a parent/legal caretaker may be necessary or encouraged. This communication may take the form of written (email or text), verbal,  joint child & parent session or parent (without child present) session when necessary. Scheduled contacts are preferred (unless a crisis situation). I also have an expectation that parent(s) engage in and respond to communications or requests for sessions. Communication may be for a number of reasons although primarily it is to assure safety, security or well-being of the child. Communication may also be to assess general progress if concerns & inconsistencies regularly present in the child's treatment and behaviors. Under most circumstances the client will be aware of  the times when I intend on communicating with the parent.

Parents please take note any concerns of safety that I reach out about must be confirmed, As Soon As Possible, when the message has been received. I will utilize all appropriate means (phone, text, email) to communicate safety concerns. Also, recognize not all safety concerns are dire or life threatening however there is an expectation they are thoughtfully acknowledged. 

Confidentiality regarding minor clients will be reviewed in more detail at the initiation of services.