Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Unfortunately, this is not possible to predict. Everyone’s circumstances are unique to them. The length of time counseling can take to allow you to accomplish your goals will depend on a number of factors and may include your desire for personal development, your commitment, and your reasons for starting therapy in the first place.

Though the practice was founded to address melanated women’s concerns including reproductive justice, perinatal health issues, racism based stress, refugee and immigrant challenges as well as trauma, our Therapists are committed to providing therapy to people with other identities. We believe that every person regardless of their demographic background, can benefit from receiving therapy from a melanated therapist. For this reason, we provide individual therapy to adults of all gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, and culture.

We accept Highmark, Anthem, Federal Employee Program, Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO and some Aetna insurance plans. We are not in-network with Independence Blue Cross, Keystone, Personal Choice, Cigna, or Horizon insurances. It is important that you also know that insurance companies require that you are diagnosed with a mental health problem. Once you get a diagnosis, it becomes a permanent part of your health record, and could impact your health and life insurance rates in the future. Insurance also limits your options for types of mental health treatment and provider. If you are able to pay out of pocket, you will have more choices for Therapists and approaches that work best for you.

If you do not have insurance or have financial hardship, Openpath Psychotherapy Collective offers an option for therapy at a sliding scale fee. You can also contact the Loveland Foundation and the National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network for mental health funding opportunities.

Absolutely! If requested, we can provide you with a Superbill at the end of the appointment for you to submit to your insurance provider for reimbursements of any out of network benefits you have on the plan. 

If you are unsure about your exact out of network benefits, you can contact the Member Services, Customer Service, or Behavioral/Mental Health number on the back of your insurance card, and ask the following questions:

• Does my health insurance plan include out of network benefits for mental health – office visit?
• Do I have a deductible? If so, what is it, and how much has been accumulated so far?
• Does the deductible apply to mental health- office visits?
• Does my plan limit how many sessions per calendar year I can have? If so, what is the limit?
• Do I need written approval from my primary care physician in order for services to be covered?
• What would be covered if I worked with an out-of-network provider?
• What is the process for me to be reimbursed for out of network benefits?

If you do not have insurance or have financial hardship, Openpath Psychotherapy Collective offers an option for therapy at a sliding scale fee. You can also contact the Loveland Foundation and the National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network for mental health funding opportunities.

Yes! Melanated Women’s Health is a registered provider with Pennsylvania’s Victims Compensation Assistance Program (VCAP). You can learn more here.

Not at all. People who ask for help know that they need it and reaching out demonstrates courage. Everyone needs help now and then. While working with one of our available Therapists, you will be supported to explore and identify your strengths. You will also receive guidance on how to use your resilience factors to move from “survival mode” to thrive in your life.

Therapists are trained in a range of behavioral health and counseling approaches, and can therefore offer an objective and unbiased perspective. Your best friend or family members may be subjective and have difficulty separating their emotions when offering advice. A mental health counselor can help you approach your situation in a new way by teaching you new skills, and helping you gain different perspectives. Therapists are trained to listen to you without expectations, and help you listen to yourself. Importantly, counseling is completely confidential. You won’t have to worry about making  people “know (your) business.” Additionally, a Therapist will help you to manage situations that provoke a great deal of negative emotions, including how to maintain healthy boundaries in your relationships.

Medication for anxiety and depression can be effective but cannot solve all issues on its own. Though sometimes medication may be needed in conjunction with therapy, our psychotherapists do not prescribe medications. Our work with you is designed to explore and unpack the problems you are experiencing and expand on your strengths to help you accomplish your personal goals for recovery.

We are happy to help dedicated clients get the most out of their therapy sessions. This requires your active participation, and collaboration with your Therapist to ensure your mental health treatment needs are successfully achieved.