FAQs

What should I expect from counseling at Bridgepointe Therapy?

Emily uses a warm, calming approach when working with children, adolescents and adults.  She strongly believes that healing comes through relationships, and develops a supportive and accepting connection with her clients. While you may initially seek counseling for your child or adolescent, Emily commonly meets privately with parents to provide them with support and education, or includes parents in session with the child for family therapy.  With adolescents, Emily uses art and writing activities along with talking through concerns.

What will happen the first session?

The first session is a 50-minute assessment where Emily collects information from the child and parents to identify potential areas of concern and recommendations for treatment moving forward.  Emily will meet with the child and parents together to allow for the child to feel comfortable, then will meet privately with the child. If ongoing sessions are recommended after this first appointment, Emily typically begins therapy with weekly 50-minute sessions.

What is the session fee and do you take my insurance?

Bridgepointe Therapy does not accept insurance, though you can pay for sessions with FSA or HSA cards, along with credit cards, checks or cash. Sessions are 50-minutes and the fee per session is $150. Group therapy sessions are 90-minutes and the fee per session is $100. After the session, you will be provided with a receipt that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement if you have out-of-network benefits. Depending on your plan, you may be reimbursed up to 75% of the session fee.

There are several reasons Bridgepointe Therapy does not accept insurance. First, some clients who seek and benefit from therapy do not have a mental health diagnosis, which insurance companies require for billing. Secondly, there is compromised confidentiality as this diagnosis becomes part of the client’s permanent medical record. Lastly, Emily frequently coordinates with schools, psychiatrists, and other providers, as well as follows up with clients between sessions to share resources or answer questions. The added administrative burden of insurance billing detracts from the quality of care Emily is able to provide clients.

When are you available for sessions?

Emily is available for sessions Monday through Friday in the afternoons and evenings.

Do you offer video sessions?

Yes, Emily is licensed to provide telehealth (video) sessions to clients throughout South Carolina and Virginia.

What if I need to reschedule or cancel an appointment?

You can cancel or reschedule an appointment at any time without charge as long as you provide a 24-hour notice.  If you do not cancel at least 24 hours in advance or fail to show up to the session, you will be charged for that appointment.

How do I know if I need a therapist who specializes in adoption?

Children and adolescents, even when adopted at a young age, may struggle with family and peer relationships, identity and self-esteem issues stemming from their adoption history.  Feeling “not good enough” can result from their birth parents’ choice for adoption.  At times, children and adolescents do not express thoughts or feelings related to adoption in order to protect their parents’ feelings or because they think it is not “okay” to experience them.  Sometimes, behaviors are old survival strategies that once worked for your child.  Adoption competent therapy honors the uniqueness and complexity of these issues while recognizing that there is hope for change.  Exploring these issues with an adoption therapist will give your child the skills needed to grow and thrive, and ultimately will make your family stronger.

Adoption Competent Therapy addresses all aspects of the adoptive family experience including attachment and bonding, trauma and early life neglect, loss and grief, brain development and effects of the in-utero experience, transracial and transcultural issues, identity formation, birth family relationships and dynamics of openness in adoption.

Does Emily only work with clients who were adopted?

No, Emily works with any child, teen or young adult. See Child and Teen Therapy or Young Adult Therapy for more information about the common concerns she addresses with clients. She also provides parenting support and psychoeducation to parents.