Your Questions, Answered

Therapy can be beneficial for anyone, not just those in crisis. Consider therapy if you're experiencing:

• Persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, or overwhelm
• Difficulty managing stress or emotions
• Relationship challenges or communication issues
• Major life transitions (career change, divorce, loss, moving)
• Trauma or past experiences affecting your present
• Feeling stuck or wanting personal growth
• Sleep problems, changes in appetite, or loss of interest in activities

Remember: You don't need to be in a crisis to benefit from therapy. Many people seek therapy for personal growth, self-discovery, or to develop better coping strategies.

Your first session is all about getting to know each other and establishing a comfortable foundation. Here's what typically happens:

• Paperwork: You'll complete intake forms (can be done beforehand online)
• Introduction: Your therapist will explain confidentiality and answer any questions
• Background: You'll discuss what brought you to therapy and your history
• Goals: Together, you'll identify what you hope to achieve
• Next Steps: Your therapist will suggest a treatment approach and schedule

It's completely normal to feel nervous! Your therapist will help you feel comfortable and will move at your pace.

Finding the right fit is crucial for successful therapy. Consider these factors:

• Specialization: Look for therapists experienced with your specific concerns
• Approach: Different therapists use different methods (CBT, EMDR, psychodynamic, etc.)
• Personality: You should feel comfortable and understood
• Logistics: Consider location, availability, and whether they offer online sessions
• Demographics: Some clients prefer therapists who share similar backgrounds or identities

If you're unsure, we offer a free 15-minute call to help you determine if a therapist is the right fit before committing to a full session.

Yes, therapy is confidential. What you share in therapy stays between you and your therapist, with very few exceptions:

• If there's an immediate risk of harm to yourself or others
• Suspected abuse or neglect of a child, elderly person, or dependent adult
• If a court orders the release of information (rare)

Your therapist will explain these limits during your first session. For minors (under 18), parents have some rights to information, but therapists work to maintain trust while keeping parents informed of safety concerns.

The duration of therapy varies greatly depending on your individual needs, goals, and circumstances. Here's a general guide:

• Short-term (8-12 sessions): Specific issues, coping with a particular event, or skill-building
• Medium-term (3-6 months): Working through anxiety, depression, relationship issues
• Long-term (6+ months): Complex trauma, personality concerns, deep-rooted patterns
• Ongoing/Maintenance: Some clients continue therapy monthly or as-needed for continued growth

You and your therapist will regularly review progress and adjust the treatment plan. You're always in control of when to end therapy.

Most clients start with weekly sessions to build momentum and establish a therapeutic relationship. As you progress, you might:

• Weekly: Standard for most clients, especially at the beginning
• Bi-weekly: Once you've made progress and have solid coping strategies
• Monthly: For maintenance or check-ins after completing primary goals
• Intensive (2-3x/week): For crisis situations or intensive treatment programs

Your therapist will recommend a frequency based on your needs, and you can adjust as you go.

Great question! Here's a simple breakdown:

• Therapist/Counselor (LCSW, LMFT, LPC, LCMHC): Master's-level professionals who provide talk therapy. This is what our team at Fresh Breath Therapy offers.
• Psychologist (PhD or PsyD): Doctoral-level providers who can do therapy and psychological testing. They cannot prescribe medication in most states.
• Psychiatrist (MD or DO): Medical doctors specializing in mental health who primarily prescribe medication. Many don't provide regular talk therapy.

Our therapists are licensed professionals (LCSW, LMFT, etc.) who specialize in evidence-based therapy approaches. If medication is needed, we can coordinate with your psychiatrist or primary care doctor.

Not necessarily! While early experiences can shape who we are, therapy is focused on your goals and what feels relevant to you.

Some approaches (like psychodynamic therapy) explore childhood more, while others (like CBT or solution-focused therapy) concentrate on present challenges and future goals. You control what you share, and your therapist will follow your lead.

Many clients find it helpful to explore family patterns and early experiences, but only when it feels right and serves your therapeutic goals.

This is completely normal and happens to many people! Your therapist is trained to help guide the conversation. Here's what can happen:

• Your therapist may ask questions to explore themes from previous sessions
• You might work on skills, exercises, or homework from past sessions
• Sometimes the "nothing" itself is worth exploring—what's beneath that feeling?
• It can be an opportunity to practice new skills or reflect on progress

Remember, therapy isn't just about crisis moments—it's also about growth, maintenance, and building resilience during calmer times.

Scheduling with Fresh Breath Therapy is easy! You have several options:

• Phone: Call us at 919-300-6717
• Email: Send us a message at admin@freshbreaththerapy.com
• Online Form: Fill out our appointment request form on our website
• Not Sure Yet? Book a free 15-minute call to discuss your needs before committing

We'll respond within one business day to help you get scheduled with the right therapist.

Yes! We understand that traditional business hours don't work for everyone. Our therapists offer appointments:

• Monday-Friday: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
• Some evening slots available up to 7:00 PM
• Limited weekend availability (varies by location and therapist)

Availability varies by therapist and location. Let us know your scheduling needs, and we'll do our best to accommodate you.

We require 24-hour notice for cancellations or rescheduling. Here's what you need to know:

• 24+ hours notice: No charge, reschedule freely
• Less than 24 hours: Full session fee applies (insurance doesn't cover this)
• No-shows: Full session fee is charged

We understand emergencies happen. Please contact us as soon as possible if you need to cancel or reschedule. This policy helps us serve all our clients effectively.

Absolutely! Finding the right therapeutic fit is crucial, and we fully support you in finding the therapist who works best for you.

The therapeutic relationship is one of the strongest predictors of success in therapy. If you're not feeling connected with your therapist, we encourage you to:

• Talk to your current therapist about your concerns—sometimes this conversation itself can be therapeutic
• Contact our office to discuss being matched with a different therapist
• There's no penalty or judgment for switching

Your comfort and progress are our top priorities.

Yes! We offer secure, HIPAA-compliant online therapy sessions for all clients in North Carolina.

Benefits of online therapy:

• Attend from the comfort of home
• No travel time or commute
• Same quality of care as in-person
• Flexible scheduling
• Great for rural areas or mobility challenges

You'll need a private space, reliable internet connection, and a device with a camera. We use a simple, secure video platform—no special software needed.

Standard therapy sessions are 50-60 minutes. This is the industry standard and what most insurance companies cover.

For certain therapeutic approaches or needs, we may offer:

• 90-minute sessions: For couples therapy or intensive work
• 30-minute sessions: For children or brief check-ins (less common)

Your therapist will discuss the best session length for your specific situation.

Yes! We accept most major insurance plans in North Carolina. Currently, we work with:

• Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Aetna
• Cigna
• UnitedHealthcare
• And many others

Important note: We do not currently accept Medicare.

Insurance coverage varies by plan. We recommend calling your insurance company or contacting us at 919-300-6717 to verify your specific benefits and out-of-pocket costs.

Costs vary depending on whether you use insurance or pay out-of-pocket:

• With Insurance: You'll pay your copay (typically $10-50) or meet your deductible first. We'll verify your benefits before your first session.
• Self-Pay (Out-of-Pocket): Our standard rate is typically $100-150 per session, varying by therapist and session type.

We're committed to making therapy accessible. Contact us to discuss your specific situation and payment options. Visit our Rates & Insurance page for detailed information.

Insurance terminology can be confusing! Here's a simple breakdown:

• Copay: A fixed amount you pay for each session (e.g., $30 per visit), regardless of the total cost.
• Deductible: The amount you must pay out-of-pocket before your insurance starts covering services. Once met, you typically pay a copay or coinsurance.
• Coinsurance: A percentage of the cost you pay after meeting your deductible (e.g., you pay 20%, insurance pays 80%).

We'll help you understand your specific benefits before starting therapy. Call your insurance company with this question: "What are my outpatient mental health benefits?"

We believe everyone deserves access to quality mental health care. While our therapists' availability for sliding scale is limited, we do our best to work with clients facing financial hardship.

Options to explore:

• Use your insurance benefits if available
• Ask about reduced-fee slots (limited availability)
• We can provide superbills for out-of-network reimbursement
• Payment plans may be available

Please discuss your financial situation with us—we'll do our best to find a solution.

Yes! Therapy is a qualified medical expense, and you can use your Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay for sessions.

This applies to:

• Individual therapy sessions
• Family or couples counseling
• Copays and deductibles
• Out-of-pocket payments

We accept HSA/FSA cards directly. Keep your receipts for your records.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a specialized therapy particularly effective for trauma. Here's how it differs from traditional talk therapy:

Traditional Talk Therapy:

• Focuses on discussing thoughts, feelings, and experiences
• Uses conversation, insight, and skill-building
• Works well for many issues like anxiety, depression, relationship problems

EMDR Therapy:

• Uses bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or sounds)
• Helps the brain reprocess traumatic memories
• Less talk-focused, more experiential
• Particularly effective for PTSD, trauma, phobias, and anxiety
• Can produce results more quickly for trauma-related issues

Many of our therapists are trained in EMDR and can determine if it's right for you.

Our therapists are trained in a variety of evidence-based approaches:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Focuses on changing thought patterns and behaviors
• EMDR: Specialized trauma processing
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Skills for emotion regulation and distress tolerance
• Family Systems Therapy: Understanding family dynamics and patterns
• Mindfulness-Based Approaches: Present-moment awareness and acceptance
• Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: Goal-oriented, future-focused
• Play Therapy: For children using play as communication

Most therapists integrate multiple approaches based on your unique needs.

Yes! While both involve therapeutic conversation, couples therapy has some key differences:

Couples Therapy:

• Both partners attend together
• Focus is on relationship dynamics, communication, and patterns
• Therapist remains neutral, not taking sides
• Sessions often 90 minutes to allow both partners time
• Homework may involve practicing communication skills together

When to choose couples vs. individual:

• Choose couples therapy for relationship issues, communication problems, or life transitions as a couple
• Choose individual therapy for personal issues, trauma, or if you need a space just for yourself
• Many people do both simultaneously!

No. Our therapists are licensed counselors and social workers (LCSW, LMFT, etc.), and we cannot prescribe medication.

However:

• We can coordinate with your psychiatrist or primary care doctor if you're on medication
• We can provide referrals to psychiatrists if medication evaluation is needed
• Many clients benefit from a combination of therapy and medication
• Talk therapy is highly effective for many conditions without medication

If you're interested in exploring medication options, we'll help connect you with the right provider while continuing therapy.

Consider therapy for your child if you notice:

• Behavioral changes: Increased aggression, defiance, or withdrawal
• Emotional struggles: Persistent sadness, anxiety, anger, or mood swings
• School issues: Declining grades, refusing to attend, or trouble with peers
• Sleep or eating changes: Nightmares, insomnia, appetite changes
• Major transitions: Divorce, moving, loss, new sibling, trauma
• Physical complaints: Frequent stomachaches or headaches without medical cause
• Developmental concerns: Delays in social, emotional, or behavioral milestones

Early intervention can make a huge difference. Our child therapists create a safe, playful environment where kids can express themselves.

We work with children and adolescents of all ages:

• Ages 3-5 (Early childhood): Play therapy, behavioral support
• Ages 6-12 (School-age): Play therapy, CBT, social skills
• Ages 13-17 (Teens): Talk therapy, DBT, identity exploration
• Young adults (18+): Transition to adulthood, college stress

Our therapists are specially trained to work with children and adolescents, adapting approaches to each developmental stage.

Yes! Parent involvement is typically crucial for successful child therapy. Here's how it works:

• Initial sessions: Parents are often included to gather history and establish goals
• Regular updates: Therapist will check in with you periodically (frequency depends on age)
• Parent coaching: You'll learn strategies to support your child at home
• Family sessions: Sometimes the whole family meets together
• Individual time: Younger children may have parents in the room; teens usually meet alone

Confidentiality for minors: While parents have rights to information, therapists balance this with building trust. They'll discuss safety concerns but may keep some details confidential to maintain the therapeutic relationship.

This is a common concern, especially for separated or divorced parents. Here's what we recommend:

• Legal custody: Typically, the parent with legal custody can consent to therapy. Check your custody agreement.
• Joint custody: Both parents may need to consent. We can provide information to help the other parent understand the benefits.
• Initial consultation: Sometimes including both parents in an initial meeting helps address concerns
• Focus on the child: Frame therapy around the child's wellbeing, not parental conflict

We also offer co-parenting therapy to help parents work together more effectively, even when separated.

We offer both! Our services include:

• Family Therapy: Whole family meets together to work on communication, conflict, and relationships
• Individual Child/Teen Therapy: One-on-one sessions focused on the child's specific needs
• Parent Coaching: Sessions just for parents to learn strategies and get support
• Couples/Co-parenting: For parents to work on their partnership or co-parenting relationship
• Combination approach: Mix of individual and family sessions

Your therapist will recommend the best approach based on your family's unique situation and goals.