Frequently Asked Questions

Sessions are typically 50 minutes long and are often scheduled weekly, especially in the beginning. Most people have been struggling to deal with difficult situations by the time they come to therapy. Weekly sessions will help to keep you accountable and motivated to work towards your goals in an efficient way. As therapy progresses, we can work together to determine if weekly sessions will continue to be useful. Some people will find that as they begin to heal and grow, fewer sessions are needed. The frequency of sessions can be adjusted in order to best meet your needs and maintain positive change. 

Every client or couple is going through a unique situation, so the length of treatment will vary. Most people attend therapy an average of 8-20 sessions, but it is always up to you how long you want to meet. Some clients will get what they need in 4-5 sessions, whereas other people attend therapy for six months to a year. There are many factors that will help determine the length of therapy, including the complexity of the issue, how much growth and change you want to make, how deeply you would like to explore the issue and your commitment to making and maintaining the positive changes. I will work with you in determining the appropriate schedule for therapy.

I accept cash, all major credit cards, HSA, and FSA cards.

I am not in network with any insurance companies. If you decide to enter into counseling with me, you would be responsible for my rate of $175/session. I will then bill electronically as an OON provider on your behalf. You may, at that point, be able to receive some reimbursement directly from your insurance company depending on your OON benefits from your specific plan/OON deductible being met. 

Individual and couple therapy sessions are $175 for a 50-minute session. To some, this may seem expensive, but you also have to remember that when seeing a therapist, you are placing what’s most important (your individual self or your relationship) in the hands of someone that is supposed to help. It is worth every penny to find someone that has extensive knowledge and training in this field.

To put it into perspective, therapy is less expensive in the long run than other medical outcomes (having a heart attack, stomach ulcers, conditions requiring psychotropic medications, etc.) or relationship outcomes (mediation, attorney fees, divorce, etc.). 

*Under Section 2799-6 of the Public Health Service Act, health care providers and health care facilities are required to inform individuals who are not enrolled in a plan or coverage or a Federal health care program, or not seeking to file a claim with their plan or coverage both orally and in writing of their ability, upon request or at the time of scheduling health care items and services, to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” of expected charges. *

· You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.

· You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.

· Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your healthcare provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.

· If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.

· There is a $25 fee to use the dispute process. If the agency reviewing your dispute agrees with you, you will have to pay the price on this Good Faith Estimate.

· Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith

Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 800-985-3059.

Making the decision to come for your first appointment was probably a difficult one, so I try to make the process as easy as possible. You can call me at (281) 219-9020 or email me at Brandi.Tarver@houstonbayareacounselor.com to make an appointment.

I prefer to work with clients that are ready and eager to make positive changes in their lives and will do so through a willingness to open themselves up to new ways of thinking. My clients may be struggling with certain aspects of life, including depression, anxiety, stressful events, relationship struggles or changes, etc. People that work with me are looking for meaningful and lasting change in their lives.

Therapy sessions are 50 minutes and will focus on you and your needs. The initial session will be an opportunity for me to get to know and understand you and your situation, as well as determine whether our relationship is a good fit. We will work on setting goals for therapy as well as formulating ways to begin working on those goals.

Every small step you take is a step in the right direction, and I am a believer in taking action. There may be times that you are asked to complete an exercise outside of session. This is only for your benefit. The work we do inside session should translate to your life outside of session, improve your self-worth and relationships, increase self-awareness and directly address the initial problems you brought into therapy.

In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and psychotherapist. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client.

However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. These exceptions include: 

• Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately. 
• If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist is required to notify the police. 
• If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken. 
• By using insurance, the client allows their insurance company to access confidential information. This is the only way insurance will pay for sessions.