Jessica Stoops

Licensed Professional Counselor

Common Questions & Answers

How do I get started?

It's great that you're taking the initiative to explore therapy. To start the process, the first step is reaching out for an initial consultation. Usually, it's more convenient to contact me through email, and from there, we can schedule a time for a phone call. This initial call typically lasts 15-20 minutes and serves as an opportunity for us to determine if I might be a good fit for your needs and what you are looking for. It also gives you a chance to ask any questions you may have. The consultation call is free. If, during our conversation, we find that I could be the right therapist for you, we'll proceed to schedule our first session. I'll send over some paperwork for you to complete beforehand.

Additionally, even if it turns out that I'm not currently accepting new clients, please don't hesitate to reach out. I'm more than willing to assist you in finding another qualified therapist who can better meet your needs. The journey towards healing, personal growth, and self-discovery can be challenging, but you don't have to go through it alone. I have connections with colleagues who specialize in various areas and can help you find the right fit for your therapy needs.

How often do I come to therapy?

Therapy is indeed a deeply individual journey, and the frequency of sessions can vary depending on a person's unique needs and circumstances. Typically, I schedule sessions with individuals on a weekly basis, allocating 50-55 minutes for each session. However, there are situations where attending therapy two to three times a week can be exceptionally beneficial. This increased frequency allows for more extensive support, in-depth processing, and can help individuals struggling with various challenges find stability more quickly.

There are several reasons why someone might choose to attend therapy more than once a week. Some examples include individuals working through complex trauma, those seeking dedicated sessions to learn new coping strategies for conditions like ADHD or anxiety, or those who find it challenging to open up or establish a sense of safety in relationships.

In the initial stages of therapy, I typically recommend starting with at least one session per week. This frequency ensures that progress is made in treatment rather than just "catching up" during sessions. As you make improvements and feel ready to transition towards ending therapy, we will work together to gradually increase the time between sessions, all while continuing to focus on your growth and well-being. The goal is to empower you to eventually say goodbye to therapy when you feel confident and prepared to do so.

What is the financial investment with therapy?

The initial session/intake appointment is $175 for a 45-55-minute session. Individual therapy is $150 per 50-55 minute session after the first session. Couples and family therapy is $175 per 50-55-minute session after the first session.

What payment do you take?

Cash, check, HAS (health savings account), FSA (flexible spending account), and most major credit card.

Are you in network with insurance?

I am in network with Health Choice and some of the BlueCross BlueShield plans. I am in network with most Blue Preferred Networks, BlueChoice Networks, and Blue Traditional Networks. Since every insurance plan is different, I recommend calling to confirm your benefits and to ensure that I am an in-network provider, if you are needing to use your insurance. If I am in network with your insurance plan, but you wish to not use your insurance for privacy reasons or for other reasons, please let me know.

If I am not in network with your insurance, I am happy to provide a statement for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.

Why are you not in network with every insurance?

I've chosen to remain in network with select insurance companies to increase access to care. However, I am not in network with every insurance company due to specific treatment-related restrictions that insurance plans can impose. These restrictions can affect various aspects of treatment, including the types of therapy that I offer, overall length of treatment, and even the length of each session.

Additionally, when billing insurance, therapists are required to release diagnosis details, treatment plans and insurance complies can request copies of the entire clinical record including session notes. It is important to note that this information is in the hands of the insurance company and I have no control over how they handle or use this information.

Additionally, insurance coverage may not cover situations where support through therapy is needed, but the patient doesn't meet specific criteria for a formal diagnosis or the patient may have a diagnosis that the insurance company does not cover for therapy. This means that these individuals may face insurance companies denying their need for treatment, despite the recommendations made by both the patient and myself as the therapist.

What does insurance cover?

Each insurance plan looks different, so I recommend reaching out to your insurance provider to get a better understanding of your plan. I have two forms below with questions for when your reach out to your insurance provider.

What is the No Surprises Act?

This act was passed to help prevent surprise billing in emergency rooms and other inpatient hospital settings. However, this does apply to all providers including myself. This new act applies to anyone who is not using or does not have in-network benefits from their insurance to receive services from my practice. What this means it that you have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost.

It is already a standard part of my practice for any clients who start treatment with me to receive and sign a document that shows my billing polices and fees for sessions, missed appointments, etc. I also verbally review this with clients and hold space to answer any questions that they may have to ensure they understand this information. I have also included information about fees and insurance on my website under the financial information section.

I’ve included a document, No Surprise Act that gives a little more about it or you can go to https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises to learn more as well. Please reach out to me if you have any questions.

Do you provide consultation or supervision for other therapists?

I provide consultation to therapists and psychiatrists, and the nature of these consultations can vary. Sometimes people request to consult with more for a limited number of times or sometimes individuals ask to meet on a regular consistent basis to better serve the patients that they see and improve their knowledge.

Additionally, I hold the role of a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor in the state of Oklahoma, enabling me to supervise candidates as they work toward accumulating the required hours for licensure. I am deeply committed to giving back to my profession and assisting others in their growth as therapists. My therapeutic approach primarily draws from psychodynamic and attachment models, although I remain flexible within the supervisory process to adapt to the unique needs of each individual. My ultimate goal is to empower others to build confidence and find their voice as therapists.

If you have any questions, would like to set up a time to consult with me, or would like to see if I am accepting new candidates, please reach out to me.

Could you present a training or presentation for a group?

Since 2013, I've had the privilege of presenting in diverse professional settings. Over the years, I've had the opportunity to address various audiences, including attorneys, therapists, psychiatrists, law enforcement personnel, and graduate students. My presentations have covered a range of crucial topics, including vicarious trauma, burnout, sexual assault, child abuse, ADHD, and ethical considerations within therapeutic practices.