I’ve outlined here some of the most commonly asked questions about therapy and working with me specifically. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you still have questions.
I am an out out-of-network provider for all insurances. However, I am able to provide a “superbill” (yes, it’s just as fun as it sounds) so that your therapy fees can be applied to your deductible and then reimbursed through the out-of-network benefits per your individual policy. This usually requires a PPO type plan. Please contact me to learn more.
That being said, I have partnered with https://reimbursify.com/ making it extremely convenient for clients to submit claims and get reimbursed easily.
To learn more about your right to a Good Faith Estimate as a client, please click here. Morel GFE Updated 1:5:22
My fee schedule is different based on the many services I provide. I would be happy to discuss your specific needs and share a session rate from there. To learn more about your right to a Good Faith Estimate as a client, please click here. Morel GFE Updated 1:5:22
Yes! I am a Licensed Psychologist in the state of Texas (License #38550). This allows me to serve anyone in the state of Texas, and I see people both in my office in The Woodlands, TX and online via my secure tele-heath platform.
This information can be verified through the following Texas State Board Website: http://www.bhec.texas.gov/verify-a-license/index.html
Usually, I am able to fit new clients into my schedule with ease. Having a first meeting within a week or so is very common. We will work closely together to find a time that works for both of us. I often have 4-5 evening spots available per week which allows for me to be meet with clients who are unavailable during the daytime.
Like, super private… because the law mandates it! For adults, the law protects our relationship as client and psychotherapist, and information cannot be disclosed without written permission.
However, there are a few exceptions to this that you may need to be aware of: 1) If a client intends to harm themself, I try to make every effort to enlist their cooperation to ensure safety. If they do not cooperate, I may have to take further measures without their permission that are provided to me by law in order to ensure their safety; 2) If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person/s, I must notify the police and inform the intended victim; 3) If I learn about child abuse, or a dependent adult/elder who may be in an abusive situation, I am required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities; and, 4) If you were to be involved in a court case and my records were to be subpoenaed.
In addition, I use only Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) compliant software, email and payment services to ensure the utmost protection of your information.
Each person has different goals and concerns bringing them into therapy, and so things will look different depending on the individual. In general, we will discuss the current events happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, and progress (such as new insights gained or behavioral changes) since the previous therapy session. Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term for a specific issue, or longer-term to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development. Either way, therapy is most helpful when it occurs regularly, at least early on. This usually includes weekly sessions with me for a period of time.
It is important to understand that you will get more from therapy if you actively participate in the process. The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you take what you learn in session back into your life. Beyond the work you do in therapy sessions, I sometimes suggest some things you can do outside of therapy to support your process — such as reading a relevant book, journaling on specific topics, noting particular behaviors, or taking action on your goals. Though never “mandatory,” these are intended to help facilitate your progress.
The psychological and medical professions tend to agree that long-term solutions to mental health, emotional problems, and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom(s), in therapy we can address the cause of your distress and the behavior patterns that specifically curb your progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness. In some cases, a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action; if this is true for you, I can support and facilitate your working with your medical doctor to explore medication.
This is an excellent question, and I’m glad you are asking it! The research shows us that the relationship a client and therapist have is one of the most important parts of what makes therapy successful. In my mind, this translates to whether you think you could become comfortable with me, if you see yourself opening up, and how my style “fits” with your personality. I find that much of the other aspects of therapy can be fine tuned together. If you have further questions about therapy, please reach out: Contact Me.
Samantha Morel, Ph.D.
contact@drsamanthamorel.com
832.304.8894 (call/text)