FAQ

Where is your office?

 I am at 730 W. 3rd Street Hastings, NE 68901 in the Law Offices of Susan Alexander. I am also available for telehealth sessions.

 What are your hours?

 I am available Tuesday through Friday with sessions starting at 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3pm, 5:30 pm, 6:30 pm, 7:30 pm, 8:30 pm, and 9:30 pm Central Time.

 How long are your sessions?

 My sessions typically are an hour.

 How much do you charge?

 I charge $150 per hour. I do have limited sliding scale availability. If this is a need for you, please bring it up during our initial phone consultation. I do this based upon financial need of the person and upon factors related to my practice.

 Do you take insurance?

 I currently take United Health Care, Blue Cross Blue Shield, MHN/HealthNet/Ambetter, Tricare, and Tri-West. 

 How do I set up an initial appointment?

 It starts with a phone call. Let’s talk to make sure that I am the appropriate therapist for you. Choosing a therapist is not like any other type of service. It is a very personal relationship that must fit you to be the most effective. If we both agree after that conversation that it looks right, then we will walk through the registration process.

 What is your cancellation policy?

 I require a 24-hour notice for cancellation. Therapy is hard, and it is normal to have some avoidance at times when things are tough. Having a 24-hour notice helps provide a little nudge when people want to bail out at the last minute even though it’s not in their best interest. It also provides me the opportunity to get other people in if a cancellation happens, so they can benefit from an unexpected opportunity. If you fail to give the 24-hour notice or do not show at all, you will be charged for the full time scheduled as if you attended.

 What age ranges do you work with?

 I work with adults of all ages. I have experience working with people from young adult throughout the adult lifespan.

 Do you work with women? Men? Couples?

 I work with both men and women. However, I currently specialize in individual therapy. I do not do family therapy or couples’ therapy. I will work on couples and family issues in individual therapy. And I know many highly skilled family and couples’ therapists if you need a referral (I’ll be glad to give you their names).

 What do you do in sessions with people?

 That’s a complicated question because I individualize what I am doing based upon the person that is in front of me. The most normal thing that we do is talk. We talk about what you want to talk about; relationships, work, the news, music, passions, the stuff on your mind. We also, of course, talk about what’s getting in the way, what you are struggling with, what you’d like to be different in your life.

 And then there are things that will seem odd but (eventually) feel good. We’ll notice what you are feeling emotionally as well as exploring the sensations in your body. We may recognize urges/impulses and repetitive movements that you either ignored or were unaware of making.

 But regardless of what we specifically are doing, it is all intended to help you feel better and add tools to your workbench that you can use to help you have the life you want.

 Do your clients receive assignments to work on between sessions?

 Well, Yes! and No! It depends on what you need, your learning style, and what works to help you make the progress you are seeking. When I do give assignments, they are mutually agreed upon and will not be graded (this isn’t high school). The point of them is to help you make progress, and judgment does the opposite.

 What types of therapy do you use in your work?

 I utilize a combination of techniques. My basis is a person-centered approach. I want to get to know you for who you are. I want to know how you think, how you feel, and how you’ve worked through the challenges that you have faced in your life. I look at those through the lenses of Pia Melody’s work, or Post-Induction Therapy on one side, and through Somatic Experiencing on the other side.

 I encourage you to look at my pages on those topics for more detail. I also utilize EMDR for specific types of issues in patients who are ready for it. It is an excellent technique for getting through tough things quickly. Again, I suggest you read my page on EMDR if you are interested in knowing more.

 What is your professional training and experience?

 I received my Masters of Counseling from Arizona State University in 2006. The focus was on developing multicultural competencies in psychotherapy. I have experience working with people with developmental disabilities and serious mental illness utilizing primarily a cognitive behavioral therapy model (CBT). I worked at The Meadows for several years as a primary therapist and a trauma therapist where I gained extensive experience working with people who have addictions and/or childhood trauma and/or adult trauma. During my time there, I gained certificates in Somatic experiencing (SEP) and EMDR.