1. How do I know if I’m ready for therapy and whether With Heart With Soul Therapy may be a good fit?

You do not have to be in crisis, have everything figured out, or feel completely certain before beginning therapy. You may be ready if you are curious about your patterns, tired of carrying something alone, moving through a difficult season, or wanting a more connected relationship with yourself or others. Feeling nervous or unsure is completely normal.

Our therapists support teens ages 13 and up, adults, couples, and families. Populations and specialties vary by clinician. Across our team, we support concerns including trauma and PTSD, anxiety, depression, perfectionism, people-pleasing, relationships and attachment, emotional regulation, life transitions, grief, neurodivergence, identity, perinatal mental health, chronic illness and pain, substance use and recovery, family concerns, and generational healing.

A free consultation can help you explore whether our practice feels like the right fit.

2. How do I get started, and how will I find the right therapist?

All new clients begin with a free 15-minute consultation. You may request a consultation with a specific therapist or contact us for support identifying the clinician who may best fit your needs.

We consider factors such as your reasons for seeking therapy, age, personal preferences, therapist specialty and style, scheduling needs, insurance or budget, and whether you prefer online or in-person care.

If your preferred therapist is unavailable, you may join their waitlist or explore another team member with current openings. We understand that the therapeutic relationship matters. Our goal is to help you find someone with whom you can feel safe, supported, understood, and appropriately challenged.

3. What can I expect during the consultation and first therapy appointment?

The required consultation is a brief conversation to explore fit. You can share what is bringing you to therapy, ask questions, learn about the therapist’s approach, and discuss availability, insurance, and fees. It is not a full assessment, therapy session, or crisis service, and you will not be expected to share every detail of your story.

If you decide to move forward, you will complete intake and consent forms through our secure client portal. During your first appointment, your therapist will complete an intake/assessment to learn about your current concerns, history, relationships, identities, strengths, daily functioning, and goals. You will also review confidentiality and important practice policies.

You are always welcome to pause, ask questions, name a preference, or say when you are not ready to discuss something. Trust is built over time.

4. What can I expect in therapy, and what approaches do your therapists use?

Therapy at With Heart With Soul is collaborative, relational, and tailored to you. You can expect to be listened to, validated, invited to reflect, offered new perspectives, and gently challenged when it supports your goals. Some sessions may focus on emotions or past experiences, while others may include practical skills, psychoeducation, communication strategies, body awareness, or homework outside of therapy.

Our therapists may draw from person-centered and relational therapy, attachment work, somatic therapy, parts work, narrative therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and other trauma-informed approaches. Methods vary by clinician and are selected according to your age, goals, needs, and preferences.

Your therapist will explain their recommendations, invite your feedback, and collaborate with you rather than treating you like a problem to be fixed.

5. Will my identities, culture, body, relationships, and spiritual beliefs be respected?

Yes. With Heart With Soul Therapy is a Black-owned, woman-owned practice committed to trauma-informed, culturally affirming, and identity-conscious care. We welcome people across races, cultures, gender identities, sexual orientations, body sizes, abilities, neurotypes, family structures, relationship structures, faiths/spiritual traditions, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

We understand that mental health does not exist separately from culture, family, community, systems, or lived experience. You are invited to tell us which parts of your identity matter to you and what safety, respect, and affirmation look like in practice.

Some therapists offer Christian faith-based support, energetic/spiritual perspectives, or intuitive integration when requested by the client. These perspectives are never required, assumed, or imposed. Secular therapy is always welcome.

6. Do you offer in-person and online therapy, and when?

Yes. We provide in-person therapy at 202 Walton Street in downtown Syracuse at Salt City Holistic Health a wellness collective. We also offer secure online therapy throughout New York State. In-person, online, daytime, evening, and weekend availability varies by therapist.

Our office is accessible by elevator, and restrooms are available within the building. Street and paid parking options are available throughout the surrounding downtown area. If you have a specific accessibility need please contact us before your appointment so we can help you plan for your visit.

7. What does therapy cost, do you accept insurance, and are reduced-rate options available?

Private-pay rates vary by therapist and service. Current licensed-therapist rates range from approximately $125–$155 for individual therapy and $135–$175 for couples or family therapy.

Our supervised MSW intern offers reduced-rate therapy sessions at $50 for individuals and $75 for couples or families. Intern sessions cannot be billed to insurance. Clients may also request a sliding-scale rate, which may be granted according to financial means and current availability. Our goal is to make high-quality care as accessible as possible.

Our clinicians participate with Aetna and Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, although participation may vary by clinician and specific insurance product. 

Our billing administrator verifies benefits and submits both in-network and out-of-network claims as a courtesy. Clients will not need to submit superbills themselves. Information provided by an insurer is an estimate, however, and does not guarantee payment or coverage.

If you are paying for therapy without using insurance, you have the right to receive a written Good Faith Estimate of your expected costs.

8. How long are sessions, how often will we meet, and how long will I be in therapy?

Individual therapy sessions are generally 50–55 minutes, while couples and family sessions are typically 60 minutes.

Clients may begin with weekly or biweekly appointments depending on their concerns, goals, availability, and clinical needs. Monthly sessions may also be appropriate in some circumstances, particularly for clients seeking ongoing maintenance or less intensive support. Your therapist will collaborate with you to determine an appropriate frequency.

There is no universal timeline for therapy. Some people seek short-term support around a particular concern, while others benefit from longer-term work involving trauma, relationships, identity, or long-standing patterns. You and your therapist will regularly review your progress and discuss whether continuing, changing frequency, preparing to complete treatment, or pursuing another level of care would best support you.

9. What is your cancellation and missed-appointment policy?

We ask for at least 24 hours’ notice when canceling or rescheduling an appointment. Late cancellations and missed appointments are subject to a fee. We understand that unexpected circumstances happen, so each client receives one courtesy late-cancellation waiver per year.

Consistent attendance helps protect the time reserved for you and supports continuity in therapy. Repeated cancellations or missed appointments may lead to a conversation about your recurring appointment time, scheduling needs, or whether another service arrangement would be a better fit.

The complete cancellation and attendance policy will be provided in your intake documents before services begin.

10. Is therapy confidential, and what should I do if I need urgent help?

Therapy is a highly protected and confidential space. Your therapist will not ordinarily share information about your care without your written authorization. There are limited exceptions required by law or professional ethics, including certain situations involving immediate safety concerns, suspected abuse or neglect, or a valid legal requirement. These limits will be reviewed before treatment, and you are encouraged to ask questions at any time.

With Heart With Soul Therapy is not an emergency or crisis-response service, and messages may not be reviewed immediately. If you need immediate emotional or mental health support, call or text 988 for free, confidential crisis assistance available 24 hours a day. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.