FAQ

GETTING STARTED

  • Just fill out the contact form. We’ll follow up with next steps. No pressure, no pushy sales pitch—just honest support when you’re ready. If you’re sure you want to start right away, schedule directly here: https://bienestarcounseling.clientsecure.me/

  • If you’re asking this, chances are your brain is trying to tap out a quiet SOS. You don’t have to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. Think of it as a gym for your mental and emotional muscles—maintenance is powerful.

    If you’re surviving racism, homophobia, family pressure, burnout, or just the stress of keeping it together—your pain is valid. You don’t have to be falling apart to deserve support.

  • Expect a space where you don’t have to pretend you’re fine when you’re not. Expect questions that help you become aware about your patterns, your pain, and your power. Expect moments of relief, insight, discomfort, growth, and sometimes—quiet.

    Therapy isn’t about “fixing” you (you’re not broken). It’s about helping you understand yourself more deeply and respond to life more intentionally.

    It won’t always be easy. Some sessions will feel like breakthroughs. Others might feel like “just talking”—but trust that the work is still happening.

    You don’t need to show up with answers. Just show up as you are. We’ll meet you there.

  • First of all, please don’t “should” on yourself. Second of all, standard sessions are 50-53 minutes. And lastly, most clients start weekly as they build momentum, then adjust as needed. Think of it like watering a plant: consistent care helps things grow.

  • Good therapy feels like a safe conversation—not like being talked at or judged. Bienestar Counseling & Consulting offer brief consultations so we can both get a feel for fit. We won’t take it personally if it’s not a match—your well-being is what matters most.

    Important questions to ask yourself:

    • Am I able to be vulnerable with my therapist?

    • Do I feel safe, supported and heard by my therapist?

    • Does my therapist focus on me and my goals during sessions?

    • Does my therapist respect the boundaries I have set?

    • Does my therapist respect my autonomy to make my own decisions?

  • At Bienestar Counseling & Consulting, we are committed to protecting your privacy and safeguarding your health information in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

    We are required by law to:

    • Maintain the privacy of your protected health information (PHI)

    • Provide you with this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices

    • Abide by the terms of this notice

    • Notify you if there is a breach of your unsecured PHI

    We utilize Simple Practice Telehealth as our Electric Health Record (EHR) and Telehealth platform. We also use Headway for billing software functionalities.

    Read our full Notice of Privacy Practices for more information.

TELEHEALTH

  • It’s therapy—just done through a secure video platform instead of in person. Same licensed therapist, same support, different location (usually your couch, car, or that one corner of your apartment with good Wi-Fi).

  • Yes. Research says it, and our clients confirm it. Telehealth is just as effective as in-person care for most concerns—including trauma, anxiety, burnout, and identity-related stress. And bonus: no traffic or awkward waiting room energy.

  • We use a HIPAA-compliant, encrypted video platform to protect your privacy. As for your physical space—we’ll work together to help you find a private, safe spot for your sessions. Headphones, sound machines, and parked cars have all worked great for past clients.

  • We use SimplePractice, a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform for scheduling, video sessions, forms, and messaging. You’ll receive a private link before each session—no downloads required, just click and connect.

  • Yes. SimplePractice uses bank-level encryption to protect your information, and we take your privacy seriously. You’ll have your own secure client portal to complete forms, manage appointments, and message us directly.

  • An Electronic Health Record (EHR) is a holistic system that is designed to capture a comprehensive digital record of a patient’s health. EHRs make it seamless for different healthcare providers and organizations to document and share information in the course of their treatment of the patient, improving care coordination.

  • Client Portal app:
    The Client Portal app is the fastest and easiest way to manage your care. Simply sign in with your email and enjoy instant access to telehealth, upcoming appointments, and more.

    Download on the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/simplepractice-client-portal/id1466793305

    Get it on Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.simplepractice.clients&hl=en_US

    Sign in via web browser:
    Visit https://bienestarcounseling.clientsecure.me/sign-in to access your Client Portal.

RATES, Fees & INSURANCE

  • Yes! We accept BCBS, United Healthcare, Aetna, Optum, Oscar, Oxford, and Cigna. We’ll help you check what’s covered and what your copay might be—no surprise bills here.

    We partner with Headway, a secure platform that manages insurance billing and benefit verification. Headway will help confirm your coverage, calculate your copay or deductible, and handle all the paperwork—so you don’t have to. No surprise bills, no insurance headaches.

    If you’re using insurance, you’ll receive two emails:

    • One from SimplePractice (our electronic health record and telehealth platform)

    • One from Headway (for insurance and billing setup)

    Please note: Our no-show and late cancellation fees still apply, and these charges are not billable to insurance. The full session fee is the client’s responsibility in these cases. This is a standard practice.

  • We offer sliding scale spots and can provide superbills for potential out-of-network reimbursement. We believe therapy should be accessible, and we’ll help you explore your options.


    We offer sliding scale spots based on financial need and can provide superbills for potential out-of-network reimbursement if you're not using insurance. Please note, no show and late cancellations do not apply to this and are the client’s responsibility.

  • Headway and SimplePractice are the platforms that we use to deliver services, maintain records, and file insurance claims. SimplePractice is for scheduling, client files, and telehealth. Headway is a third-party billing service that files insurance claims for us. If you are not utilizing insurance, you will only receive an email from SimplePractice. This means that you will need to create a profile for both platforms and complete their registration process. It might seem like a lot upfront, but there is minimal paperwork (if any) after that.

  • We require 24 hours notice for cancellations. Cancellations made with less than 24 hours' notice will be subject to the full session fee ($165 unless otherwise agreed upon with your clinician). Emergencies being the exception.

    We understand that life happens—but we’re also big on boundaries and mutual respect.

    Please note: No-show and late cancellation fees apply to all clients, including those on a sliding scale. These charges are not billable to insurance and are the client’s full responsibility. This is a standard practice across mental health care to protect time and consistency in care.

  • Yes! You can pay out-of-pocket through your SimplePractice portal. We also offer sliding scale spots based on financial need and can provide superbills for potential out-of-network reimbursement if you're not using Headway.

  • For many clients—especially busy professionals, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ folks navigating identity stress, and those juggling caregiving or chronic stress—telehealth offers more flexibility and privacy. If you’re unsure, let’s talk it through.

CULTURAL HUMILITY

  • Nope. We believe cultural practices and spirituality can be sources of strength. We won’t shame your abuelita’s advice or your complicated relationship with your roots. We will hold space to explore what’s helpful—and what you’re ready to unlearn.

  • Not unless you want to. We aim to create a space where you don’t feel like you have to educate or translate your experience just to be understood. We recognize the emotional labor BIPOC, LGBTQ+, first-gen, and immigrant clients often carry—and we work hard not to add to it.

    You won’t need to educate us or minimize who you are. We create space for you to show up fully, without fear of correction or confusion.

  • Yes. Many of our clients carry invisible wounds from systemic and identity-based harm. We hold space for that pain and resilience, and we tailor therapy to affirm and empower—not erase—who you are.

DOWNLOAD THE CLIENT PORTAL APP: