FAQs

Do you take insurance?

Dr. Nixon and Dr. Sadler both accept insurance at this time with Anthem/BCBS, Medicare, IU Health Plans, and Lyra. We are not currently in-network with Medicaid or the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP).

Our licenses, training, and education will allow you to be qualified for out-of-network reimbursement with your insurance plan if this is part of your policy. If you would like to seek reimbursement from your insurance company for your therapy sessions using out-of-network benefits, we will be happy to provide you with the necessary documentation. All our therapists have self-pay options.

Can I use my HSA (Health Savings Account) benefits?

Your HSA benefits are able to be used for services with Dr. Nixon, Dr. Sadler, Dr. Cunningham, or Chloe Czologsz. You can use your HSA ard just like a credit card in our client portal.

How do I verify my benefits?

Call the number on the back of your insurance card. You will be calling about your mental health/behavioral health benefits. Here are some good questions to ask:

• What is my deductible and has it been met?

• Is pre-authorization required?

• Does my policy cover outpatient therapy? Or, does my policy covering psychologist testing and assessment?

• If you using telehealth—are telehealth services for counseling covered?

• Are there any specific restrictions around the service, such as coverage is limited to 12 times a year or is it contracted to another company like Teledoc or MDLive?

• Does the service require any special documentation from the psychologist/therapist?

  Blackbird Psychological Services will verify benefits as a courtesy but it is always the client’s responsibility to know and verify their own benefits. The client is responsible for anything that insurance doesn't cover, including co-pays.

How can therapy help me?

Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies that are different from talking to a friend or family member. They can provide a non-biased, educated perspective on a difficult problem you may have or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how much you put into the process and practice what you learn. Some of the benefits of therapy include:

• Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals, and values

• Developing skills for improving your relationships

• Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy

• Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety

• Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures

• Improving communications and listening skills

• Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones

• Discovering new ways to solve problems with your family, partner, or work

• Improving your self-esteem and boosting your self-confidence

How can I get the most out of therapy?

It is important to understand that you will get quicker, more significant results from therapy if you actively participate in and commit to the process. This includes taking chances, being open, being consistent and timely, doing the homework and exercising patience as you allow the process to work. It takes months to unlearn a bad habit; imagine how many years you’ve spent developing some of the relationship dynamics, insecurities, or negative self-talk that may be keeping you from reaching your goals?

The purpose of therapy is to educate and assist you to incorporate what you learn in therapy into your daily life with the goal of no longer requiring therapy. Beyond the work we do in your therapy sessions, we advocate for the implementation of techniques and homework outside of our sessions together. Since our session is only 50 minutes long, the fastest approach to achieving positive results is to implement the newly learned skills into your daily life.

I’ve never talked to anyone. I’m used to handling things on my own. Aren’t people who go to therapy weak?

That’s a big ole NOPE—not at all! We often say the strongest of people are those who walk through our doors to get the help that they need. People who ask for help when they need it are strong folks. Everyone needs help at some time in their life. Undoubtedly, you possess strengths that you’ve tapped into before; however, there are times when there might be areas that require some extra support and insight. Perhaps, this problem feels overwhelming, making your usual problem-solving techniques seem ineffective. In our work together, we will identify your strengths and determine the best strategies for implementation based on your current life events.

What’s the difference between talking to you or my best friend or a trusted family member?

The difference is relative to the choice between receiving advice, sometimes biased, from a friend or trusted family member or receiving unbiased, evidence-based solutions from a trained, experienced mental health professional. A mental health professional can help you approach your situation from a new perspective– impart new skills, gain different perspectives, listen without judgment or expectations, and assist you with becoming more aware of your needs and desires. Furthermore, therapy is completely confidential. There will be no concern about others “knowing my business.” Finally, sharing a situation that evokes negative emotions with a friend or family member could place a risk on the relationship moving forward, as an association could develop between your reaction to the emotional situation and seeing that friend or family member with whom you discussed that situation, unintentionally reminding you of that difficult time in your life.

Why shouldn’t I just take medication?

Medication can be effective, but medication alone does not provide a holistic approach to mental well-being. Sometimes medication is needed in conjunction with counseling. Our work together is designed to explore and unpack the problems you are experiencing and expand on your strengths to help you accomplish your personal goals.

How long will it take?

Unfortunately, this question cannot be answered on the general FAQs page. Each person’s circumstances are unique and the length of time necessary for you to accomplish your goals depends on your desire for personal development, your commitment, and the initial factors driving you to improve your life through therapy.