Elizabeth Kirichenko, LPC, RPT™ Accepting New Clients November 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you providing 100% telehealth counseling?
Yes! I provide convenient online counseling for adults living in the state of Texas.
The great news is that you can live in any part of Texas and work with me.
Telehealth is the easiest way to connect and get support when you need it most.
Bonus: It is easier to fit in with your busy schedule and there will be no traffic or parking struggles.
Together we can help find a path forward that helps you feel your best.
What does it mean to be a Registered Play Therapist (RPT)? How is that helpful?
Registered Play Therapists are experts in their field of childhood, attachment, and parenting. Registered Play Therapists (RPTs) support both children and their adults with the most current research, extensive understanding of child development, and play therapy techniques. RPTs have expert knowledge and skills to share with parents that help their children progress to their next stage, feel seen, and understood which reduces conflict and problem behaviors in the home and at school.
In order to achieve this specialization RPTs earn their credential with additional extensive training, specialized coursework, and years of additional professional supervision specific to play therapy. Working with a Registered Play Therapist is beneficial to you and your children due to the amount of training, years of supervision, and education that is required to earn and maintain this nationally recognized and respected credential.
How should I prepare for my video counseling session?
Find a quiet, private place to hold each session.
You will need a steady internet connection & audio/video enabled on your laptop, tablet or phone. You can use earbuds or headphones & hold the session in a separate location from the rest of your family.
Infants are always welcome in session.
It is best interest of your toddler or child to be with another caregiver, at school, or with a family member so you can speak candidly about your concerns without them overhearing.
Use this time as a special hour just for you.
Set aside your favorite cup of cold brew, grab a comfortable seat, and let's get started!
What are the benefits of telehealth/video counseling?
Telehealth can save hours of traveling time, cost in gas, lost work time, and the stress of a commute. You can connect with an expert therapist from anywhere near or far from the comfort of your own home with just the click of a button. So much less stress and lots more time in your day with this method of counseling.
You get easier access to more professionals with expertise in your area of need.
Telehealth is especially helpful for busy parents and people who have been working from home since the pandemic. You can hop onto a therapy session after a hectic school drop-off with your kids or a stressful meeting on your laptop. It is that easy and that simple. Win-win.
What can I expect from the first session?
This is a great question! During the first session, I will discuss in detail the informed consent document with you, HIPAA, The No Surprises Act & answer any questions you might have.
I will discuss my professional experience, counseling style, the limits of confidentiality, scheduling, payment & the counseling process. This is a time to ask questions and discuss your current stressors, hopes, and expectations for counseling.
We work together to find helpful goals to work on over our time together and schedule the next appointment!
What are your rates? Do you accept insurance?
Yes! I currently accept both private pay and Aetna, United, Oxford, & Oscar insurance.
Let me know if this is the way you would like to begin counseling together.
If you do not wish to use insurance for our sessions, the rate is $150 for each 50-minute counseling session. I will provide a superbill for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement upon request. Many clients choose this option to find the best-fit counselor for their needs.
Call/text or email to set up an appointment below.
edkcounseling@gmail.com or Phone: 512-256-6464
I look forward to working with you soon!
This all sounds great! How do I get started?
Wonderful! Email is the quickest way to contact Clover and Bloom Counseling PLLC. Send an email to inquire about availability and timing for an initial session. Your counselor will send over the initial documents through a HIPAA-secure patient portal. Take some time to review the paperwork, intake questionnaire & documents before beginning the initial appointment. A video link will be sent to the email address before your session. See you soon!
I have more questions. Can we talk on the phone or have a short video call?
Absolutely! I offer free 15-minute phone or video chat consultations for new and potential clients. Send me an email with your contact information/phone number or leave me a voicemail at my office phone: 512-256-6464. Or text me and I'll get back to you and we can chat.
This 15-minute call is not considered counseling, but it is a chance to talk about what you hope for in counseling and make sure we are a great match. I look forward to talking with you soon!
I need help ASAP and feel like I am in crisis. What can I do?
If you feel this way, know you are not alone and that you can get help with a crisis hotline or warm line immediately.
I do not provide emergency or crisis services. You can get excellent help from one of the helplines below. Here are some excellent resources to help you if you need them immediately.
Emergency Resources:
1) If experiencing a mental health or other emergency dial 911 and ask for mental health officer right away. You can also visit the nearest emergency room.
2) Call or Text the National Crisis Hotline from any phone at 988 - 24/7 and 365 days a year
3) Any parent can call or Text The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline 24/7 and 365 days a year at 1-833-TLC-MAMA to talk to a certified peer specialist who should get back to you within the hour- if not minutes.
I need lower-cost therapy options and cannot use insurance or private pay right now. How can I get h
Many people are looking for low-cost support. Here are some organizations and websites that offer sliding-scale, low-cost therapy services.
1) If you are a pregnant or postpartum parent, you can contact me to use a sliding scale, or directly contact the PPHA for a therapy voucher. This helps people access affordable therapy from approved providers for 8-10 sessions at a significantly reduced rate.
https://www.pphatx.org/ppha-voucher-programs
2) Open Path Collective:
https://openpathcollective.org/
3) Lifeworks Austin:
https://www.lifeworksaustin.org/
4) Integral Care:
https://integralcare.org/en/about-us/
5) Austin Child Guidance:
https://www.austinchildguidance.org/
6) Texas State University Graduate School Practicum Clinic:
7) NAMI Texas:
https://namitexas.org/resources/