Francesca Richardson is licensed to practice in the following states: Maryland, Virginia, Florida — Licensed for telehealth practice: https://flhealthsource.gov/telehealth/
Payment for therapy sessions: I accept cash, personal checks, company flexible spending account or health savings account debit cards, (FSA & HSA) and major credit cards (i.e., MasterCard, Discover, AMEX, & VISA).
Insurance coverage: In many cases your health insurance will cover therapy, but it is wise to check ahead. Call to find out your mental health benefits for an out of network provider. Ask if pre-authorization is needed and what reimbursement rate would apply. I am happy to provide you with my fee schedule.
Cancellation policy: you cancel an appointment with less than 24 hours notice, you will be charged the full fee for your session unless you reschedule within the same week for either a video or phone session.
Accepted payment methods:
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I schedule an appointment?
Usually I schedule the first appointment by phone or e-mail.
- How do we get started on my psychotherapy?
In the first session I will go over what you would like to work on or change in your life. We will discuss the symptoms you may be struggling with, or explore what kind of personal growth you seek. I will ask you some information about your life history and we will then formulate a plan of action including therapies that will be helpful and comfortable for you. At that point together we will plan the frequency and tentatively the length of your treatment.
- How long will I be in therapy?
When we meet to discuss what you want to change in your life we can begin to decide what path we will go to get you to those changes. Length of therapy can vary from person to person. As you feel better, you may even find you develop new goals you had not considered possible for yourself.
- Will my insurance pay for my counseling and do I need pre-approval?
In many cases your health insurance will cover therapy, but it’s wise to check ahead. I recommend that you call to find out if you have out of network benefits, if pre-authorization is needed and what reimbursement rate would apply.
- How do I file insurance claims?
I will provide you with needed documentation to submit claims, and you will submit the claims. It is usually a relatively easy process and I am committed to helping you receive reimbursement. You will submit claims directly to your insurance company, so no one other than you will be aware of any health conditions or claims unless you wish to tell them.
- How much will I pay for therapy?
I am happy to provide you with my fee schedule at any time.
I accept payment through Ivypay, and charge payment at the time of service unless I have worked out a different arrangement with you. After the first session, I will text a link from Ivypay with the date and time of the session and the fee, and you will put in your credit card. Then I will charge your card after each session time. You can go on the Ivypay portal to check your sessions and payment.
- Do you work with other professionals in the community?
Yes, if we decide that it would be helpful for you to receive other or additional services (such as consultation for psychiatry or medication, medical assessment or assessment with alternative health practitioners) I have a number of professionals I trust and work with, and will make appropriate referrals for you.