FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is therapy and do I need it?
Therapy is a space that allows for healing to happen – which we can all benefit from. It is both an art and a science, that uses both compassion and evidence-based practices supported by our education and training. We prefer not to utilize the medical model – seeing people in terms of their mental illness or what is wrong with them. Instead, we operate from a social model of seeing people who are struggling with real life issues that we may all connect to such as – grief, loss, wanting to grow, feeling stuck. Our goal as therapists is to help if you’re feeling stuck, need a neutral perspective, or a place to work on relationships with yourself or others.
What kind of therapy do you provide?
We provide individual, couples and family therapy with teens and adults. Please read individual bios to find the best match.
We are an outpatient therapy company and do not provide intensive crisis support. If you are in crisis, please call 911 or the community crisis line 520-622-6000.
What does evidence-based treatment mean, and which ones are you trained in using?
Evidence-based treatment (EBT) are treatments that are supported by scientific evidence.
The treatments that we provide include Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Family Systems, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI).
What can I expect from therapy?
To get started, we offer a complimentary 15-minute consultation to get to know one another and see if we are a good fit. We will then send you the initial intake paperwork, to be completed prior to our first session. If you are using insurance to pay for services, you will be sent a link to confirm your insurance and any costs in advance with our billing company HelloAlma.
The initial session will be focused on discussing the therapeutic relationship, learning about you, and exploring what you hope to get out of therapy. A treatment plan will be created that will outline our focus; this is a living document that will change as your needs and goals change.
We will meet regularly for individual or couples therapy where we will provide you the safe and nonjudgmental space to process your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. We will also teach you practical and realistic skills that can be implemented quickly to manage difficult experiences, improve relationships, and support the changes you would like to make.
Why do we need goals, beyond having someone to talk to?
An identified problem and goal are required by most insurance companies and by the Arizona Board of Behavioural Health Examiners (AZBBHE) who set and maintain standards of practice for licensed behavioural health professionals in Arizona. In our years of clinical work, we have also found goals provide needed structure and focus that enhance therapeutic outcomes and overall client satisfaction with services.
Do you take insurance?
Yes, we offer both self-pay and insurance options to pay for services. Presently, both Samar and Luis accept Aetna, Cigna, Harvard Pilgrim, Optum, Oscar Health, Oxford, UMR, and UHC (commercial plan only). Samar is also contracted with Blue Cross Blue Shield.
How much do sessions cost?
Currently our rates are $125 for a 55-60 min session.
Do you have evening/weekend hours available?
We do not currently offer weekend services and have limited evening availability.
What issues do you work with?
We work with a variety of concerns people may bring in that impact relationships, jobs, and their mental health. Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, ADHD, Trauma, Relationship Issues, Grief and Loss are some of the topics that we work with. While we do work with those struggling with Addiction – we are a small private practice and don’t currently have an Intensive Outpatient Program that we can offer.
Are there issues you don’t work with?
We are willing to talk about your needs in a brief consultation and give you recommendations if we feel we don’t have the needed specialization you are looking for. There are also times when someone would benefit from a specific level of treatment that we do not have the capacity to provide such as residential or intensive outpatient. We also do not provide evaluations such as for ADHD, ASD, Court evaluations such as for DCS, custody, or competency evaluations.
What if there are things I’m not ready to talk about yet?
While you will be encouraged to explore those hidden spaces, you will never be forced to do so. Like any therapy our goal is to stretch out our muscles to promote further growth, not to cause more pain.