FAQ

I'm researching providers - what are all those letters after everyone's name?

Those are credentials; these letters let you know what kind of degree, education, license or certificate someone has. Here is a list of some common ones:

Psychiatrist (D.O., M.D.)
This type of mental healthcare professional is a doctor who can diagnose and prescribe medication to treat psychiatric disorders. Psychiatrists are physicians who usually work with someone else who handles the therapy. However, some psychiatrists provide psychotherapy, but most do not.

Licensed Psychologist (LP) (Ph.D., Psy.D.)
This type of mental healthcare professional is a type of doctor who can diagnose and use psychotherapy to treat psychiatric disorders. Psychologists also provide psychological, psychoeducational, and neuropsychological assessment to objectively identify psychiatric disorders, much like when a physician might use tests to identify an infection. Psychologists are also allowed to prescribe psychotropic medications after receiving additional post-doctoral training in clinical psychopharmacology in five states (Iowa, Illinois, Lousiana, New Mexico, and Idaho), U.S. territory of Guam, Indian Health Service, as well as the Department of Defense.

Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
This type of mental healthcare provider has earned a master's degree in counseling or related field. They can diagnose and offer counseling, but cannot prescribe medication nor provide psychological assessments. Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern (RMHCI) is the credential for provisionally licensed counselors who are under clinical supervision for a minimum of two years post graduation.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
This type of mental healthcare provider has earned a master's degree in marriage and family therapy. They can diagnose and offer counseling, but cannot prescribe medication nor provide psychological assessments. "LMFT-Associate or LMFT-A" is the credential for provisionally licensed therapists who are under clinical supervision for a minimum of two years post graduation. 

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
This type of mental healthcare provider has earned a master's degree in social work. They can diagnose and offer counseling, but cannot prescribe medication nor provide psychological assessments.

Psychiatric Mental Health-Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (PMH-ARNP)
This type of mental healthcare provider has earned a master's degree in nursing with specialized coursework in psychiatric nursing. They hold an advanced RN license that allow them to diagnose, prescribe medication and use psychotherapy to treat psychiatric disorders but cannot provide psychological assessments. In many states, PMH-ARNPs work under the supervsion of a physician, while in other states, they can practice independently. 

Psychiatric Physician Assistant (PA)
This type of mental healthcare provider has earned a master's degree in physician assistant studies or related field and is licensed as a physician assistant. They work under the direct supervision of a psychiatrist. They can diagnose and prescribe medications to treat psychiatric disorders but cannot provide psychological assessments. They can also order lab work and use their overal knowledge in medical sciences to inform their treatment process.

Do you take insurance? Why not?

We place a lot of value on a client being able to control the length, duration, type and frequency of their therapy. We also think you should be able to control who knows about the services you receive and the extent to which they know about it. For these reasons and more, we are out-of-network with all insurance panels. 

I'm a very private person. What do you keep confidential?

Confidentiality is one of the most important parts of building trust in a therapeutic relationship. However, there are a few instances in which there are limits to confidentiality.  

• If we believe that you are likely to harm yourself and/or another person, we may take action necessary to protect you or others by contacting law enforcement officers or a physician.
• If we have cause to believe that a child has been or may be abused or neglected, we are required to make a report to the appropriate state agency.
• If we have cause to believe that an elderly or disabled person has been or may be abused, neglected, or subject to financial exploitation, we are required to make a report to the appropriate state agency.
• Information disclosed about a person from whom you sought counseling in the State of Florida behaving toward you in a sexually inappropriate manner must be reported (your identity may remain anonymous at your request).
• If your records are requested by a valid subpoena or court order, we must respond.