You are not the first
to ask.
These are the questions that come up in almost every first call, answered the way I would answer them on the phone. If yours is not here, ask me directly. The first consultation is free, and questions are most of what it is for.
How do I get started?
Call 504.656.4572 or email Logan@NewOrleansCounseling.com. We start with a free consultation: we talk about what brings you to therapy, I answer your questions, and if I am not the right fit I will help you find the person who is.
I reply within 24 hours, and the contact page walks through exactly what happens after that.
How long are sessions, and how often do we meet?
Sessions run about an hour. I like to meet weekly for the first two or three sessions, because the early work is building a relationship and understanding the problem properly. After that, many of my clients choose to move to every other week, and I usually support it. Life needs to happen between sessions, and weekly is often more frequent than the work requires.
What is the first session like?
Longer than the consultation, and calmer than you are picturing. Scheduling, billing, and paperwork run through SimplePractice, a secure client portal, so the administrative part is done before we start. The hour itself is us mapping the territory: what is going right, what is costing you the most, and what you want to change first.
Sessions are virtual, and that means the room is yours. Your own chair, your own lighting, your own temperature, your own fidgets within reach. Use that. You are welcome to pace, fidget, or look away from the screen; eye contact is not a requirement here, and it never will be. One practical tip: position your camera so your chin sits near the bottom of the screen rather than your whole head floating at the top. It makes the conversation feel like sitting across from someone instead of being watched by them.
Do I need a diagnosis to start?
No. If you can describe the difficulty, we can work on the difficulty. Plenty of my clients have no formal diagnosis and never get one. If assessment would genuinely serve you, I will say so and point you well. Here is the full answer, because this question deserves more than a paragraph.
What do you specialize in?
I am a licensed professional counselor with more than twenty years of experience, specializing in ADHD, the autism spectrum, depression, and anxiety in adults, plus couples therapy, including couples where one or both partners are neurodivergent.
Is New Orleans Counseling LGBTQ affirming?
Yes. I am an LGBTQ affirming therapist. You will be met as you are, and therapy is tailored to your life and context.
How much does therapy cost at New Orleans Counseling?
My typical fee is $175 per individual session and $200 per family or couples session, with some flexibility depending on circumstances. The first consultation is free.
Do you take insurance?
Yes. I currently accept United Healthcare, BCBS PPO, and TSHIP, the Tulane insurance program, and I also welcome private-pay clients.
Is what I tell you confidential?
Yes. What you share with me stays with me. As a Licensed Professional Counselor I am bound to confidentiality by law and by license, and the exceptions are narrow and specific: imminent danger to yourself or someone else, abuse or neglect of a child or a vulnerable adult, or a court order. If one of those lines is ever near, I will tell you.
About insurance: when I bill United Healthcare, BCBS PPO, or TSHIP, the claim includes a diagnosis, because that is how insurance billing works everywhere, not just here. If you would rather no insurer be involved at all, private pay is always open, and then your records exist in one place, with me.
Are sessions in person or online?
Sessions are currently virtual only, available to anyone in Louisiana. Billing and scheduling run through SimplePractice, a secure client portal.
Do you prescribe medication?
No. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, and prescribing belongs to your prescriber. At Daughters of Charity I spent years working side by side with primary care physicians, including psychotropic medication management support, so I know these medications well. Because we meet far more often than a med check allows, I will often notice what deserves your prescriber’s attention first. When that happens, I bring it to them, and it stays their call.
Do you do testing or formal assessment?
No. Testing is a specialty and it should be done by people who do it all day. If a formal evaluation would serve you, I will help you find someone good and choose among the options.
Good Faith Estimate
A "Good Faith Estimate" in healthcare is an estimate of the cost for medical items and services. As mandated by the No Surprises Act (HR133, Title 45 Section 149.610) since January 2022, you have the right to receive a "Good Faith Estimate" to help you estimate the maximum expected charges for non-emergency items or services.
You are entitled to a "Good Faith Estimate" that outlines the anticipated cost of your medical and mental health care, including psychotherapy services. This estimate is particularly important for uninsured individuals or those not using insurance.
Before scheduling any service, you have the right to request a Good Faith Estimate from your healthcare provider or any other provider you choose. The estimate should detail the total expected cost of non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy.
In the event that you receive a bill that exceeds your Good Faith Estimate by at least $400, you have the right to dispute the bill. Please ensure you retain a copy or take a picture of your Good Faith Estimate for reference. For further questions or information regarding your right to a Good Faith Estimate, please visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
Appointments and cancellations
To ensure smooth scheduling, please notify me of any appointment changes at least 24 hours in advance. Late cancellations (less than 24 hours notice) or missed appointments may incur a fee. If you are running late, please be aware that your session may be shortened. Arriving more than 15 minutes late may result in the appointment being refused.
Electronic communication
While I take precautions to comply with HIPAA requirements, please be aware that electronic communication (including text messages) may not guarantee confidentiality. Email or text messaging can be used for scheduling or cancellations, but therapeutic content and emergency requests should be discussed during a formal counseling session.
Social media policy
To maintain confidentiality and minimize dual relationships, I do not accept friend or contact requests on social networking sites from current or former clients. We can discuss any questions regarding this policy during our sessions.
Emergencies
I do not provide 24-hour, round-the-clock coverage. If you find yourself in an emergency, please see the experts in crisis care at your local emergency room or by calling 911. In a mental health crisis you can also call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, free and confidential, 24 hours a day.
Ask the rest out loud.
The first consultation is free, by phone or video, and there is nothing to prepare. Virtual across Louisiana, insurance and private pay. What question is still open?
Currently accepting new clients. I reply within 24 hours.