Looking for more information before you get started?
Explore some common questions and answers about therapy.
How to know if working together is right for you
Q: I’ve had a bad experience in therapy before. How do I know you won’t do the same thing?
A: Unfortunately, you don’t. However, I do my best to remain open-minded and accepting of anything my clients tell me. My goal as a clinician is to understand you and what is going on in your life, support you, and challenge you when needed. I want to help you break out of patterns that have been harmful to you; it is not my job to judge or ridicule you in any way. If you are concerned about something in particular, please let me know in our first call, email, or first session! I am always open to hearing about your concerns and fears regarding therapy. In addition, if anything ever comes up that you feel I didn’t handle appropriately or didn’t understand you, I encourage you to let me know. I am always open to my clients’ feedback and would love to have a conversation with you about it.
Q: Do I need to have a therapist with a specialty? What do you specialize in, and what does that mean for me?
A: That is up to you! I have found that therapists with specialties are often the most effective in that area and have gone above and beyond to educate themselves appropriately. As a therapist with specialties in diverse relationship structures and diverse sexualities, I know I have more information and training in these areas than most other therapists. I have also worked to further educate myself on trauma, relationships (with the self and others), attachment styles, and anxiety.
Specializing in these areas also means that I will not be a good fit for some people; I have limited time and resources, so I have not been able to take extra training in certain domains. Currently, I work primarily with folx with C-PTSD, insecure attachments, and anxiety. I also specialize in helping clients navigate ENM/polyamory, explore their identity, experience life transitions, and get in tune with their emotions.
This does not mean I cannot or will not work with you if you have a specific diagnosis outside of my area of specialty; it simply means I may not be the best fit if working on those diagnoses is your primary objective in therapy right now.
At this time, I also do not work with anyone under the age of 18.
Q: What is an LMFT, and how do they differ from other kinds of therapists?
A: An LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. As an LMFT, I have specialized knowledge and training in family systems (a family system can be a couple, a parent and their child(ren), a polyamorous triad, or even a group of friends living together). Due to this training, LMFTs are best equipped to take a relational approach to therapy, taking into account their clients’ life circumstances, familial relationships and upbringing, their relationship to themselves, and past/current relationships with other significant people.
This holistic viewpoint allows for a more exploratory and empowered approach to treatment, rather than pathologizing or a focus on diagnoses or medication. Therefore, I work from a trauma-informed perspective with individuals, couples, or groups of people who want to better their relationship with themselves and/or others.
What you need to know about insurance and pricing
Q: Do you accept insurance? Why should I pay out of pocket?
A: At this time, Stephanie accepts most versions of Anthem/Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna for payment. I can also provide Superbills upon request for clients with insurance that I do not accept. I also offer a reduced rate option for those without insurance or out of network to help make therapy more accessible.
There are some important things to consider when deciding between insurance benefits and private pay for therapy. First, insurance companies can choose to accept or reject my claims, which can cause me to focus on resubmitting claims to be paid (and, therefore, continue seeing you) rather than focusing on your case or bettering myself as a clinician for you.
Second, insurance companies require me to give a diagnosis to the person using their insurance; many people do not meet requirements for a diagnosis and simply want to work on understanding themselves, improving their relationships, or other self-improvement goals. This means that, even if an insurance claim was filed, it would unfortunately not cover services for clients without explicit diagnoses.
Third, there is a higher level of confidentiality and security when paying out of pocket, as the insurance company is not receiving your diagnosis or able to request your client information as part of an audit.
Nicole is solely private pay at this time.
Q: What are your prices?
A: Prices vary based on provider, listed below.
Stephanie Sullivan, MS, LMFT, CCPT-II:
Individual Therapy - $160 per session
Couples Therapy - $200 per session
Multi-Partner Therapy - $250 per session
Nicole’s Therapy Prices, MA, LLMFT:
Individual Therapy - $125 per session
Couples Therapy - $1500 per session
Multi-Partner Therapy - $200 per session
Q: How do I qualify for a reduced rate?
A: I do not want finances to be a barrier to accessing affirmative services, especially because I do not accept insurance. Therefore, if you feel that you would like to work with me but cannot afford my full fee, I ask that you consider your monthly budget and how much you could reasonably afford to pay for therapy in a month.
For example, one client (Client A) may realize they can afford $400 per month, while another client (Client B) can afford $100 per month. I may end up seeing Client A every week for $100 sessions (4 sessions per month), and see Client B every other week for $50 sessions (2 sessions per month).
My openings for reduced fees vary over time, and I cannot always guarantee that I will be able to see you for a significantly reduced fee. The more clients I see at my full rates, the more I can see at reduced rates - I see it as a way of subsidizing affirmative care for our community, especially for those who do not have access to health insurance or for those with high deductibles. However, I do my best to work with my clients and find a reasonable fee for them; what matters most for me is that each client chooses their own fee in a way that feels fair and reasonable to them, without causing financial distress. I have implicit trust in our community - in you - and will not ask for proof of income or anything like that. If I determine that I cannot provide services at your price point at the time of your inquiry, I will do my best to give you other resources to find affordable and affirmative mental health care.
I am happy to discuss this further, as I know it is a non-traditional approach to the sliding fee scale.
What you need to know about virtual therapy
Q: How does teletherapy work?
A: Virtual therapy can be very similar to in-person therapy, with the added benefit of being in your own home. One requirement for teletherapy is to have a strong internet connection and a device with audio and video capabilities. If you are calling in via a phone or tablet, you may also have to download the Simple Practice Telehealth app. Simple Practice allows us to have a secure, HIPAA-compliant connection in order to best serve you and protect your confidentiality. As a clinician, I also ask that you are always located in a safe and private location where you will not be overheard. This could be a room in your home or even in your parked car.
Q: Do I need to be located in Michigan or Indiana?
A: Yes. Due to state licensing requirements, Stephanie is only licensed to work with clients who are physically located in the states of Michigan OR Indiana.
Nicole is licensed solely in Michigan.
Q: What is the Client Portal, and how do I access it?
A: In order to access your Client Portal, you must be a current client. If you are, you can click on the button labeled “Access My Client Portal” at the bottom of each page on this website — and here in this section! Then, type your email address into the box and click “Email Me a Link.” This will automatically generate an email to your email address with a secure link that is good for up to 24 hours. You can generate as many links as you need through this process. Your Client Portal allows you to access your invoices and receipts, pay a bill, update paperwork, access new paperwork I may share with you, schedule an appointment, and more!
Q: How do I schedule an appointment as a new client?
A: You may schedule an appointment in one of two ways. First, you are always welcome to call or email me to schedule an appointment. Email is generally the best, as I can respond more quickly.
If you would prefer to schedule on your own, you can click the button labeled “Book Appointment” in the navigation menu on my website. This will take you to a page that will move you through five stages of this process:
Choosing the type of appointment you need
The location (virtual)
Date and time of your chosen appointment
Who the appointment is for (you and/or your partner(s)
And your information
Once you have completed this process, I will be notified that you have requested an appointment, and I can choose to accept or reject your request. I do sometimes have to reject requests simply due to scheduling errors or other unforeseen circumstances. Once I have accepted your request, you will receive an email confirmation, as well as a link to your new Client Portal, where you will be able to complete all of the necessary paperwork prior to your first appointment. I will need to have all of this paperwork completed prior to your appointment; otherwise, I will not be able to keep your requested appointment, and we will have to reschedule.
Limitations to Confidentiality: Under certain circumstances, we are required by law to disclose private health information without your consent or authorization. These limitations include but may not be limited to: abuse or neglect of vulnerable persons, serious threat to health or safety, public safety, or judicial proceedings. For further information see Privacy Policy.