frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a therapist, counselor, and a clinician?
Nothing! We use these terms interchangeably. Other terms for a therapist include psychotherapist or mental health provider.
Will my therapist prescribe me medication?
Therapists are not doctors, psychiatrists, or nurse practitioners and do not prescribe medication. At this time Tranquil Minds Counseling does not offer medication services to clients. Our team is happy to provide you with a referral for medication services if you would like.
What is an LPC-MHSP?
An LPC-MHSP is a Tennessee board certified licensed professional counselor who has also completed extra training and testing to earn the designation of a mental health services provider. LPC-MHSPs are licensed therapists who have the ability to treat and diagnose mental health conditions.
How long will my session be?
A typical therapy session is 50 minutes long. If you feel this is not enough time, speak with our staff about booking a 90 minute session.
How often should I come to therapy?
Our therapists will discuss a personalized treatment plan with you during your intake appointment. Most of our clients find weekly therapy appointments to be the most productive option. However, our staff will help work with your schedule and specific needs to best create a course of treatment that fits you.
How long will I be in therapy?
During your intake appointment, your therapist will receive a better idea of your specific needs and discuss your outlook of treatment. Short-term therapy is traditionally between 8-12 sessions. However, many of our clients enjoy having counseling on a regular basis even after completion of their short-term treatment process.
How do I pay for my sessions?
All of our clients are required to have a working credit or debit card on file through our patient portal. However, if you prefer to pay in cash, our therapists are happy to coordinate that with you. We do not accept checks at this time.
If I tell my therapist a secret, will they tell other people?
All of our sessions are completely confidential and our therapists follow HIPAA guidelines for your private health information. However, therapists are mandated reporters and will have to report the following:
If you have an active plan to hurt yourself or someone else
If there is unreported child or elder abuse
If you ask your therapist to speak to someone on your behalf and complete a release of information
If Tranquil Minds Counseling is ordered by a judge to release information
If you have questions about what your therapist will need to report, please feel free to speak with them during your session.
What if I prefer to do telehealth counseling?
Tranquil Minds offers the availability of telehealth for all of our services. Our team uses a HIPAA approved video platform through our patient portal to conduct our sessions. Some of our providers see clients both in office and via telehealth and some prefer to only see clients via telehealth. If you are interested in telehealth services, please let your therapist know.
Do you accept insurance?
At this time some of our therapists accept UnitedHealthCare commercial insurance. For clients that do not have insurance or have insurance that we cannot accept, our clinicians offer cash pay options. If you would like to be provided with a superbill to present to your insurance company for potential reimbursement, please speak to your therapist before services begin. Click HERE to read our insurance coverage policy.