Frequently Asked Questions

Your first session is a chance for us to get to know each other. We'll talk about what brings you to therapy, explore your goals, and discuss how we can work together. It’s a relaxed, judgment-free space where you can ask any questions you have. Before your appointment, we’ll send you an intake packet with information about our practice’s policies, some diagnostic assessments, and a few questionnaires to help us better understand your needs.

That’s completely fine—many clients are new to therapy. You don’t need to have all the answers or know exactly what to say. Our role is to guide and support you through the process at a pace that feels comfortable and respectful of where you are. And one more thing: it’s perfectly okay to have quiet moments during our sessions.

Our practice specializes in grief and loss, suicide prevention, bipolar disorder, and men’s mental health. That said, many clients are struggling with chronic depression, anxiety, or trauma. Our first step is a comprehensive assessment to understand how these issues may be impacting your daily life. From there, we create a personalized treatment plan using evidence-based techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Logotherapy, and Mindfulness. We regularly check in to ensure you’re progressing toward your goals. We’d be happy to talk—no pressure and no cost—to help you decide if Next Stage is the right solution for you.

Yes, your privacy is extremely important to us. All sessions are confidential. However, we are legally required to notify the appropriate authorities if you indicate that you are at serious risk of harming yourself or others. We use HIPAA-compliant software that temporarily records sessions but deletes the recording once clinical notes are created. This helps us stay fully present without being distracted by note-taking. We can also discuss confidentiality in more detail during your first session if you’d like.

Therapy is a personal journey, and session frequency depends on your needs and goals. Many clients begin with weekly sessions to build momentum, strengthen the therapeutic relationship, and create a foundation for growth. As progress unfolds, we’ll revisit your schedule and adjust it together to find a pace that feels right and supports your unique path forward.

Standard therapy sessions are approximately 50 minutes. Longer sessions can be arranged upon request and depending on availability. Getting started is simple. Just reach out via phone, email, or the contact form on this site. Next Stage offers a free initial consultation to see if we’re a good fit.

Fees vary depending on the type of session and payment method. We offer a self-pay rate and may also accept certain insurance plans. Please visit the Rates & Insurance page or contact our office directly for current pricing.

Next Stage currently accepts BCBS, Allegiance, First Choice, Aetna, EBMS and Pacific Source. If your insurance is not accepted, you’re welcome to use the self-pay option, and our office can provide a superbill for potential reimbursement.

Yes. We offer secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth sessions so you can access support from the comfort and privacy of your home.

Yes. We offer a 15–30 minute face-to-face meeting or phone call to help you get a sense of us—and for us to get a sense of you. Starting therapy is the beginning of a relationship, and this step helps ensure it feels like a good fit for everyone.

We ask that you provide at least 24 hours’ notice for cancellations or rescheduling. Late cancellations or missed appointments are subject to a fee.

We are on the southwest corner of the Grand & Shiloh roundabout, behind the Town Pump and Carbone’s. We are in the row of offices next to Local restaurant. Park in any space not marked as reserved. Look for Door # 2. Please have a seat in the waiting room and we will be out shortly.

We are open Monday through Thursday. Sessions are scheduled from 8:00 AM, with the last appointment starting at 7:00 PM. In case of an emergency, special arrangements outside of these hours may be arranged.

Our approach is tailored to meet the unique needs of older teens as they navigate the challenges of growing independence, academic pressures, identity, relationships, and mental health. At this time, we do not offer therapy services for children under the age of 13 but can provide a referral.

We do not provide psychiatric services, addiction counseling, children’s therapy, or EMDR treatment. For these areas of care, we strongly encourage you to work with specialists who have expertise in those specific fields. We are happy to refer you to trusted providers in our community.