Honest answers to the questions people most often have before starting therapy — so you can make a clear and informed decision

Starting therapy raises real questions. About how it works, what it costs, whether it will help, and what happens in the room. The questions below are the ones we hear most often, answered as directly and honestly as we can. If yours is not here, please reach out. We would rather answer it than have uncertainty be the thing that keeps you from getting support.

About Therapy

What actually happens in a therapy session?

A therapy session is a 50-minute structured conversation with your therapist, guided by the goals you have established together. Depending on the approach being used, sessions may include talking through current experiences and emotions, examining thought patterns and their origins, practicing specific skills, doing structured exercises such as EMDR processing or biofeedback training, or reviewing progress and adjusting the plan. Sessions are not free-form venting. They are purposeful and directed, even when they feel like conversation.

How is therapy different from talking to a friend or family member?

The most significant differences are training, objectivity, and confidentiality. A therapist brings clinical training in how the mind works and how people change, along with specific tools that are not available in ordinary conversation. A therapist also has no stake in the outcome of your relationships, which means they can offer perspective that people close to you cannot. And everything you share in therapy is legally protected as confidential, which makes a different quality of honesty possible than most relationships allow.

How do I know if I need therapy or if my problems are serious enough?

Therapy is appropriate whenever something is affecting your quality of life in a way that you would like to change. You do not need to be in crisis. If anxiety is affecting your sleep, your relationships, or your ability to enjoy your daily life, that is sufficient reason to seek support. If you are carrying something heavy and not sure who to tell, that is sufficient reason. The threshold is not severity. It is whether you would benefit from support, and the honest answer is that most people would.

What if I have tried therapy before and it did not help?

This is one of the most common concerns we hear, and it deserves a direct answer. Therapy’s effectiveness is highly dependent on the match between the client’s needs and the therapist’s specialization and approach. A poor match can produce disappointing results even when both parties are well-intentioned. If previous therapy did not produce meaningful change, that is worth exploring. It may indicate that a different approach, a different therapist, or a different focus is needed, not that therapy cannot help you.

How long does therapy take?

Honestly, it depends. The duration of effective therapy is influenced by what you are working on, how long the pattern has been in place, how consistently you attend, and how actively you engage with the work between sessions. Some focused concerns, like insomnia treated with CBTi, have a defined treatment arc of six to eight weeks. More complex or longstanding concerns may benefit from six months to a year or more. We set realistic expectations during the assessment phase and revisit them as the work progresses.

What can I do to get the most out of therapy?

Show up consistently. Be as honest as you can, including about what is and is not working in the sessions themselves. Do the work between sessions — journaling, practicing skills, completing any exercises your therapist recommends. And be patient with a process that is inherently non-linear. Progress in therapy rarely looks like a straight line. What matters is the direction over time, not the smoothness of any given week.

About Minds in Action Counseling

Where are you located?

We have two in-person locations. Our Plano office is at 5151 Headquarters Drive, Suite 240, Plano, TX 75024. Our Fort Worth office is at 1751 River Run, Suite 200, Office 224, Fort Worth, TX 76107. We also offer secure telehealth sessions to clients anywhere in Texas. You can reach us at 469-214-5111.

Do you offer telehealth therapy in Texas?

Yes. All of our individual therapy services, and most of our couples therapy services, are available via secure HIPAA-compliant video sessions to clients throughout Texas. Biofeedback and Biosound Therapy require in-person attendance at one of our locations.

Do you offer therapy in Spanish or Mandarin?

Yes to both. Several members of our team provide therapy in Spanish, including clinicians at our Plano office, our Fort Worth office, and via telehealth. Flora Lai provides therapy in Mandarin from our Plano office, and Dr. Regine Chung provides therapy in Mandarin and Cantonese via telehealth. Please let us know your language preference when you contact us.

How do I get matched with the right therapist?

We match you based on your presenting concerns, goals, location preference, insurance, language preference, and any other factors that matter to you. You can start the process by scheduling a free consultation by phone or video, or by completing our Therapist Match Form on the website. We make a specific recommendation rather than leaving you to choose from a list.

What is a free consultation and what does it involve?

A free consultation is a 15-minute phone or video call where you share what brings you to therapy and we answer any questions you have about our practice, our approach, or the process of getting started. It is low-pressure and carries no obligation. It is the best first step if you are unsure where to begin.

Insurance and Cost

Do you accept insurance?

Yes. We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Oxford, and Oscar for individual therapy. Participation varies by therapist. Couples therapy and Biosound Therapy are private-pay services. Please see our Rates and Insurance page for complete information, or ask during your consultation.

What do sessions cost if I am paying out of pocket?

Individual therapy rates range from $120 to $225 per 50-minute session depending on therapist licensure level. Couples sessions range from $190 to $300 depending on session length and therapist. We offer an introductory Biosound Therapy session for $39.

Can I use my HSA or FSA for therapy?

Yes. Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account cards are accepted for all therapy services. These pre-tax funds can meaningfully reduce the out-of-pocket cost of care.

What is a Superbill and can you provide one?

A Superbill is an itemized receipt containing the clinical codes your insurance company needs to process an out-of-network reimbursement claim. If your plan includes out-of-network mental health benefits, you can submit a Superbill directly to your insurer for partial reimbursement. We provide monthly Superbills to clients who request them.

About Specific Approaches

What is EMDR and does it work via telehealth?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a research-supported therapy for trauma and PTSD that works by facilitating the brain’s processing of distressing stored experiences. EMDR is endorsed by the American Psychological Association, the World Health Organization, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It can be delivered effectively via telehealth, and we offer it in both formats at our practice.

What is the Gottman Method and why does it matter for couples?

The Gottman Method is a couples therapy approach developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman following decades of research on what distinguishes stable, happy relationships from those headed toward dissolution. It provides a precise framework for identifying the specific patterns driving conflict and disconnection, and a structured path for building genuine repair and connection. Our practice owner, Maribel Faucett, is a Gottman Certified Therapist, a credential held by a relatively small number of therapists in Texas.

Does play therapy actually work for children?

Yes. Play therapy is not simply letting a child play. It is a structured, evidence-based therapeutic process in which the therapist uses the child’s play as the primary mode of communication and intervention. It is the developmentally appropriate equivalent of talk therapy for adults and is supported by a substantial research base. We have Registered Play Therapists on our team, a clinical designation that requires significant post-licensure training and supervised hours.

What is CBTi and is it better than sleep medication?

CBT for Insomnia is a structured, evidence-based treatment for chronic insomnia. The American College of Physicians recommends it as the first-line treatment for insomnia, specifically because research consistently shows it produces more durable improvement than medication, with effects that continue and often improve after the treatment period ends. Unlike medication, CBTi addresses the underlying mechanisms perpetuating insomnia rather than simply inducing sleep chemically.

Practical Questions

What is your cancellation policy?

We require at least 24 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule an appointment. A $65 late cancellation or no-show fee applies to appointments canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice. Your appointment represents reserved time for you and your therapist, and this policy protects the availability of that time for all clients.

What do I need for a telehealth session?

A device with a camera and microphone, a reliable internet connection, and a private space where you will not be overheard. We send a secure link before each session. No software download is required. We recommend testing your connection before your first telehealth session to ensure everything works smoothly.

Is therapy confidential?

Yes. Everything you share in therapy is legally protected as confidential. There are specific exceptions required by law: if you disclose intent to harm yourself or another person, if there is reason to believe a child or vulnerable adult is being abused, or if a court orders disclosure. These exceptions are narrow and specific. We explain them clearly at the start of treatment so there are no surprises. Beyond these legal exceptions, your information is never shared without your explicit written consent.

Can I bring a support person to my first session?

In most cases, initial individual therapy sessions work best with the client alone, so the therapist can establish an honest and candid relationship from the start. If you have specific circumstances that make this challenging, please discuss it during your consultation and we will find the best approach for your situation.

Have a question that is not here? Contact us at 469-214-5111 or use the question form on this page. We are happy to answer before you commit to a consultation.