Question 1

What can I expect when starting therapy?

Accepted Answer

Our work together begins with a free 15-minute consultation call. This is an opportunity for us to talk about what you're looking for help with, answer any questions or concerns you have about getting started, and for you to get a sense of whether you feel comfortable talking more with me. We'll also go over practical matters like scheduling and fees.

If we decide together that we might be a good fit, we'll schedule an intake appointment. An intake session is a 60-minute appointment where we'll talk in more depth about what's bringing you in, your background, history, and your current life situation.

I view the first several sessions together as a "getting to know you" period. We'll check in after a few sessions about how things are going, and I'll let you know if my expertise will best support your needs. If my specialties don't align with your presenting issues, I can help refer you to another skilled clinician.

Question 2

I'd like to work with you. How do we get started?

Accepted Answer

Reach out to me directly:Email: drcaitlinstell@stellpsychotherapy.comPhone: (203) 293-8493Send a message nowI typically respond within 1-2 business days.

Question 3

How often will we meet?

Accepted Answer

Most clients start with weekly sessions. Therapy works best with consistent momentum, especially in the beginning. Once we've made progress and you're feeling more stable, we might move to every other week or space sessions out further. The frequency depends on what you need and what's most helpful for your goals.

Question 4

How long does therapy take?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you're working on and what you're hoping to change. Some people come for a few months to work through a specific issue or life transition. Others stay longer to address deeper patterns or complex trauma. We'll regularly check in about your progress and adjust our approach as needed. Therapy ends when you feel ready—not according to an arbitrary timeline.

Question 5

I already have a therapist but I want to do EMDR.  Can I work with both of you?

Accepted Answer

Yes.  I can collaborate with a your existing therapist to complement your existing treatment progress with specific trauma work.

Question 6

What if I've tried therapy before and it didn't help?

Accepted Answer

Many people have had previous therapy experiences that weren't helpful. There are lots of reasons therapy might not work: the approach wasn't right for your specific needs, the therapeutic relationship wasn't a good fit, the therapist focused on symptoms without addressing root causes, or you weren't ready at the time. My integrative, depth-oriented approach often reaches patterns that weren't addressed in previous treatment. We'll also talk openly about what didn't work before so we can approach things differently.

Question 7

What if I'm not sure my problems are "serious enough" for therapy?

Accepted Answer

You don't have to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. If you're struggling — whether that's with your day-to-day functioning or just feeling stuck and unsure why — that's reason enough to reach out. And if you're simply curious about yourself, interested in personal growth, or want a space for honest self-reflection, those are also important reasons to begin.

Question 8

How much do sessions cost?

Accepted Answer

Investment in therapy: $275 per 45-minute individual session. EMDR intensives are priced separately based on the plan we build together, and I am happy to walk you through it on our consultation call.I am an out-of-network provider and do not bill insurance directly. This lets me protect your privacy and tailor our work to you rather than to what a panel will authorize. Each month I provide a superbill (an itemized receipt) that you can submit to your insurance for possible out-of-network reimbursement. If you have a PPO plan, it is worth calling the number on your card and asking: "What are my out-of-network outpatient mental health benefits?"I accept checks, Zelle, HSA and FSA cards,  along with all major credit cards. I also reserve a limited number of reduced-fee (sliding scale) spots for clients who need them, so please ask if cost is a barrier.Not sure if we are a fit? The first step is a free 15-minute consultation.  Reach out today.

Question 9

Do you take my insurance?

Accepted Answer

I am considered an "out-of-network" provider for all insurance plans and do not have contracts with insurance panels, including Medicare.

The majority of my clients utilize their insurance policy's out-of-network benefits to receive partial or full reimbursement for therapy services. I can provide a detailed invoice called a "Superbill" for you to easily submit claims to your insurance directly.

Please let me know if you do not wish to utilize your insurance at all in your treatment.

Question 10

How do I know if I have out-of-network benefits?

Accepted Answer

Many plans offer "out-of-network" benefits which may provide some assistance in covering session costs. If you're interested in using your insurance for reimbursement, I recommend calling your insurance company to better understand the specific benefits of your plan, as every one is different.

You are responsible for knowing your coverage specific to your plan.

Question 11

What should I ask my insurance provider?

Accepted Answer

Do I have mental health benefits?
What is the name of the company that provides these benefits?
Do I have a deductible? If so, how much have I paid toward this already?
What percentage of the session cost will be paid once I have met my deductible?
Is there an out-of-pocket maximum? What is my responsibility once this has been met?
Is my reimbursement based on usual, customary, and reasonable (UCR) schedules or actual charges?
Are my benefits for out-of-network services impacted by the state of my provider?
What is the coverage for these service codes: 90791 for initial evaluation and 90834, 90837 for ongoing sessions?

Question 12

What is a Good Faith Estimate?

Accepted Answer

You have the right to receive a "Good Faith Estimate" explaining how much your health care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don't have certain types of health care coverage an estimate before services are provided.

Your rights include:
You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost upon request or when scheduling
If you schedule at least 3 business days in advance, you'll receive an estimate within 1 business day
If you schedule at least 10 business days in advance, you'll receive an estimate within 3 business days
If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill
In our work together, my fee is set with you at the start of treatment and will only be changed after our discussion.

For questions: Visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises/consumers, email FederalPPDRQuestions@cms.hhs.gov, or call 1-800-985-3059

Question 13

What happens if I can't make my session?

Accepted Answer

My practice maintains a 48-hour cancellation policy. This means that if you cancel a session within 48 hours, you are still responsible for the full cost of the session and will be billed. I make every effort to try to reschedule sessions within the same business week to avoid charging a cancellation fee whenever possible.

Question 14

What happens if I experience a crisis or emergency?

Accepted Answer

This practice does not provide 24/7 crisis support.
If you are experiencing an imminent mental health or medical emergency that threatens your life, please call 911 or go to your local emergency room.

You can access 24/7 mental health support through these helplines:

National: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call or text 988 | https://988lifeline.org/

New York: NYC Well — 1-888-NYC-WELL (1-888-692-9355) or text "WELL" to 65173 | https://nycwell.cityofnewyork.us/en/ | NYS Substance Abuse HOPEline — (877) 8-HOPENY or text 467369

Connecticut: Dial 211 or 1-800-HOPE-135 (1-800-467-3135) | CT Substance Abuse Treatment Access Line — 1-800-563-4086

Colorado: Colorado Crisis Services — Call, text, or chat at 1-844-493-8255 | https://coloradocrisisservices.org/

California: CA Warmline — 1-855-845-7415 | CA Youth Crisis Line — 1-800-843-5200

Safety is my #1 priority. I tell all my clients that should they find themselves in a crisis situation where their life is on the line to call the above resources first and get themselves safe. Then call me.

Frequently Asked Questions