FAQ

---

Where are you located?

UPDATE May 2025: Modern Minds has moved to offering telehealth sessions to new clients. In person sessions are no longer available as the building space at 261 Atlantic Avenue West in Dassel is for sale.

How can therapy be helpful?

Therapy or psychotherapy can be a helpful way to better understand the challenges that are getting in the way from being the person you want to be and living the life you want to live. Accessing services for mental health issues from a licensed professional (medical doctor or therapist) allows an opportunity for a clinical assessment of what is driving the symptoms/distress, whether a mental health condition (diagnosis) is present, and can direct the treatment of such conditions.

Mental health conditions affect a person’s mood, thoughts, and behaviors. Mental health conditions, like other medical conditions, are treatable and often preventable. Therapy is one researched way that can be effective to treating and preventing mental health conditions. While some people may be experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition, others may experience symptoms or issues that do not meet medical criteria for a mental health condition and are still distressing, frustrating, and/or limiting. Therapy can also be helpful to address these issues.

What is therapy like?

Therapy is developed specifically for the individual, couple or family. Generally, it involves talking, but could also include experiential activities like art, mindfulness skills, music, and movement. Appointments generally begin weekly to best support the change process and decrease in frequency as determined between the client and therapist.

How often and how long do I need to attend therapy before I feel better?

The length of a therapy relationship can vary. It is individual and performance based, not time based. Therapy is a service to increase a person’s internal and external resources (or skills) to improve issues or symptoms. Therapy goals are co-developed as part of the intake process between the therapist and the client and progress is reviewed frequently. While it may be unclear how long it will take for specific progress to happen, a client can expect to know if the therapy relationship will be helpful to them within the first few sessions. A recent article from Mentriz.com shares more on this topic from a client perspective.

How is therapy different with adolescents?

Teen years are challenging. Teens are often up against a lot of pressures in many different directions. This can make asking for help and talking about what is happening extra hard. At Modern Minds, we allow each client, and especially teens, to show up for therapy wherever they are at. It’s important to allow time for teens to develop the safety and comfort they need to open up. This could mean talking may be limited at first. We expect and respect that. Modern Minds therapists take a casual, open, and honest approach with teens that creates a space to engage in a way that feels right.

What teens share in individual sessions with a therapist is kept as confidential as possible. Limits of confidentiality will be discussed during intake and refreshed throughout care. While the specific content is generally not disclosed to parents/caregivers, parents/caregivers will still be asked and encouraged to be an active part of their child’s care. Because teens are still developmentally attached and dependent on their caregivers, there is an inherent opportunity to help caregivers better connect and support their child through challenges. This may mean that parent and family sessions may be recommended.

How do I get started with therapy?

The first step to getting started is to contact Modern Minds for an intake or assessment session bundle. These two 45 minute appointments may be scheduled for in person or telehealth sessions. After scheduling your sessions, you will be provided with a link to complete intake paperwork. These first two appointments provide you a chance to meet with a therapist, discuss current concerns and past history, and for the therapist to get an idea of what resources are needed to best offer support. If therapy is recommended and agreed upon, a plan for ongoing services will be co-developed between the therapist and client during the second session. If therapy with a Modern Minds therapist is not recommended, other recommendations and referrals will be provided to you during that second session.

How do I pay for services?

Modern Minds contracts in-network with some insurance companies including Aetna, United, and Cigna.

In addition to in-network coverage, we set transparent rates that are paid for at the time services are delivered. Modern Minds accepts payments made by cash and most major credit cards. Health savings accounts (HSA) and flexible spending accounts (FSA) may also be used for payment. Payments made for services may also be reimbursed directly to you by your health insurance plan by utilizing out-of-network benefits. You can contact your plan to verify coverage and requirements for HSA, FSA, and out-of-network benefits.

Modern Minds also utilizes an equitable sliding fee scale to offer additional financial support for accessing services.

To find out what plans I am currently contracted with and schedule availability, please connect with me here.

How do out-of-network benefits work?

Many insurance plans reimburse for covered services with out-of-network providers. Unlike in-network benefits, you pay the full costs upfront and directly submit information to your plan for reimbursement. The percent you are required to pay is called your coinsurance, and a deductible usually still applies.

Out-of-network coinsurance rates are commonly between 20 – 40%, meaning you will be reimbursed between 60 – 80% of the cost of each session, again after your deductible is met. This varies by plan. You can contact your insurance company to inquire about this. Modern Minds will provide you with billing statements and will not be in direct contact with your insurance company.

What about emergencies?

Modern Minds may not have availability for same day services and does not offer after-hours or crisis support. If you are experiencing an urgent need or mental health emergency, we ask you to call 911 or your local crisis line. You may also go to your nearest hospital emergency room for support.