Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is a collaborative process with a licensed mental health professional designed to help individuals work through emotional challenges, mental health conditions, and life stressors such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship concerns.

The American Psychological Association (2021, para. 2) defines evidence-based practice in psychotherapy as “the integration of the best available research with clinical expertise in the context of patient characteristics, culture, and preferences.” Implication associated with the use of evidenced based psychotherapy include: shared-decision making based on the most updated knowledge in the field and clinical evidence, using your psychologist’s clinical judgement, individualizing your treatment beyond research, and ongoingly monitoring progress and adjusting as needed.

Effective PTSD treatment often involves trauma-focused therapy, which helps you process the traumatic memory or explore how it has affected your life. "Trauma-focused" means that the therapy focuses on your memory of the traumatic event or what it means to you. Examples include Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)- which we offer at DM Consulting & Psychological Services. Most of the therapies last about 8 to 16 sessions. Then, if you still have symptoms, we can talk about ways to manage them using skills you learned in treatment.

Individual therapy sessions typically last about 50 minutes. The overall duration of therapy varies based on your unique goals and needs. While some individuals benefit from just a few sessions, others may find that ongoing support over a longer period is more helpful.

Yes, we provide all services in English and Spanish.

PSYPACT (Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact) is an agreement among participating U.S. states that allows licensed psychologists to provide telepsychology across state lines without needing separate licenses in each state. Governed by the PSYPACT Commission, the compact only applies to states that have formally enacted it into law. To practice under PSYPACT, psychologists must obtain an E.Passport for telepsychology or an Interjurisdictional Practice Certificate (IPC) for in-person services, both issued by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB).

As of May 2025, the following U.S. states and territories have enacted PSYPACT legislation, allowing licensed psychologists to provide telepsychology services across state lines: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

We do not accept insurance directly. As a client, you pay for services, at time services are rendered. However, if your plan includes out-of-network benefits, you may be eligible for partial reimbursement. We encourage you to contact your insurance provider to confirm your coverage. Upon request, we’re happy to provide a detailed invoice (superbill) that you can submit for reimbursement.

We recommend you call your insurance company and ask the following questions:

• Do I have mental health out-of-network benefits?

• Do I have a deductible and do out of network payments count towards it?

• What is your reimbursement rate (percentage) for medical billing CPT codes 90791 (Initial assessment) 90834 and 90837 (individual therapy)?

• What is the coverage amount per therapy session?

• How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?

• How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?

• Is approval required from my primary care physician?

Enhanced privacy:
When using insurance, your provider may request access to your therapy records, including your diagnosis and treatment progress, to determine continued coverage. This information becomes part of your medical history and could affect future insurance coverage or premiums. Private pay keeps your records strictly between you and your therapist.

More freedom to find the right therapist:
Therapy is most effective when there’s a strong connection between you and your therapist. Paying privately allows you to choose from a wider range of clinicians—not just those in your insurance network—so you can find someone who’s the right fit for your needs and goals.

Customized, unrestricted care:
Insurance plans often limit how many sessions are covered or require approval before starting treatment. With private pay, you and your therapist can shape the course of therapy based on what works best for you—without the constraints of insurance policies.

We are located in the Central Florida area. However, we provide all psychology related services via telehealth to all PSYPACT states. You will receive an email with a secure link to access your virtual appointment. You may join the session using any device with video capability, such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer.

Telehealth is a way to receive therapy services remotely through secure video sessions, using a phone, computer, or tablet. It allows you to connect with your therapist from the comfort of your home or any private space—eliminating the need for travel and making it easier to fit therapy into your daily routine. All sessions and services are conducted through a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform to protect your privacy. Research has shown that telehealth is just as effective as in-person therapy and can improve access to care while reducing the stigma sometimes associated with seeking support.

The initial evaluation serves as an opportunity for your therapist to gain a comprehensive understanding of your background and the concerns that have led you to seek therapy at this time. For this reason, it is a critical first step in your therapy journey. You will be asked about your physical and mental health history, prior experiences with therapy, and your goals for treatment. This information allows your therapist to develop a thoughtful, individualized approach to your care.

• New patient consultation (20 min): Complimentary

• Initial Evaluation (50-60 min): $250

• 50-min session: $200

• 90-min session: $250

Please know that you are entitled to ask for a "good faith estimate" which can inform you about the approximate cost of the full duration of your treatment.

Your scheduled appointment time is set aside specifically for you. To avoid a late cancellation fee, please provide at least 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. Appointments canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice will be charged the full session fee.

An immigration psychological evaluation is a mental health assessment conducted to support an immigration case. These evaluations are used to document psychological factors that may be relevant to your legal proceedings. The specific process and requirements for the evaluation can vary depending on the type of immigration relief being sought, such as asylum, VAWA, hardship waivers, or U visas.

There are many types of immigration evaluations, but the most common fall into one of three main categories:

1. Extreme hardship waiver & cancellation of removal: In these types of evaluations, a US citizen or LPR (lawful permanent resident) is evaluated to determine how they would be affected if their immigrant family member was not permitted to remain in the US.

2. Asylum, VAWA, U & T visas: These types of evaluations are all based on a past traumatic experience. The individual who has an immigrant status is evaluated to determine the trauma’s effect on them. 

3. Naturalization waivers or N-648: This is a waiver for someone unable to take the naturalization test due to cognitive or severe psychological impairments. 

Only an immigration attorney can determine whether a psychological evaluation is appropriate for a specific case. Psychologists do not make this decision and must refrain from offering legal advice, as it falls outside their professional role. It is critical that psychologists operate strictly within their scope of practice, focusing solely on clinical assessment and mental health expertise.

The cost of the immigration psychological evaluation will vary depending on the type of evaluation and the number of individuals being evaluated.  Before the immigration psychological evaluation, the psychologist will find out the circumstances of the case and establish and exact cost of the evaluation. Prices start at $1,250.

To schedule an immigration evaluation, a non-refundable $250 scheduling fee is required. This fee is applied toward the total cost of the evaluation. The remaining balance is due on the day of your appointment. Please note that if you cancel with less than 24 hours’ notice or do not attend your appointment, the scheduling fee will be forfeited and applied as a late cancellation/no-show fee. There are no additional charges at the time of your feedback session or for the completed evaluation report.

No, our psychological services are exclusively for individuals aged 18 and older.