Got Questions?

Working with a therapist provides support and strategies that differ from talking with friends or family. We offer an unbiased, professional perspective on difficult problems and guide you toward solutions. Benefits you may experience include:

• Gaining deeper self-understanding and clarity about your values

• Developing skills to improve your relationships

• Finding resolution to the concerns that brought you to therapy

• Learning effective ways to manage stress and anxiety

• Processing emotions like anger, grief, and depression

• Improving communication and listening abilities

• Replacing unhelpful patterns with healthier alternatives

• Discovering new approaches to family, relationship, or work challenges

• Building genuine self-esteem and confidence

You'll see more meaningful results when you actively engage in the therapy process. This means being open, consistent, completing between-session practices, and allowing time for change. While our sessions last 50 minutes, implementing what you learn in your daily life accelerates progress. The ultimate goal is helping you develop skills that eventually make therapy unnecessary.

That's a big ole NOPE! We often say the strongest people are those who walk through our doors seeking help. Everyone needs support sometimes. While you have strengths you've relied on before, certain challenges can make usual coping strategies feel inadequate. Together, we'll identify your strengths and develop effective approaches for your current situation.

Your first session is what we call an "intake appointment," lasting about 50-55 minutes. Think of it as a thoughtful conversation where we get to know you and your concerns. Your therapist will ask questions about what brings you to therapy, relevant history, current challenges, and your goals for our work together.

This session helps us develop a clear understanding of your unique situation and begin crafting a personalized approach. You'll also have the opportunity to ask questions and get a feel for your therapist's style. Many clients find this initial session brings immediate relief—finally having a safe space to discuss concerns can be therapeutic in itself. By the end, we'll usually have the beginnings of a plan for moving forward together.

A trained therapist offers unbiased, evidence-based perspectives rather than potentially biased advice. We help you see situations from fresh angles, develop new skills, and create greater self-awareness—all in complete confidentiality. Plus, sharing difficult emotions with friends or family can sometimes strain those relationships, creating unwanted associations between your loved ones and painful topics.

Medication can be effective, but rarely provides complete mental wellness on its own. Sometimes medication works best alongside therapy. Our work together helps you explore underlying issues, develop lasting coping strategies, and build on your strengths to meet your personal goals.

Each person's journey is unique. The time needed depends on your specific circumstances, goals, commitment to the process, and the complexity of what brought you here. We'll regularly assess your progress and adjust our approach to support your growth effectively.

Absolutely! You can use your HSA card just like a credit card in our client portal—simple and straightforward.

The most reliable way is to call the number on the back of your insurance card and ask about your mental health/behavioral health benefits. Here are some helpful questions to ask:

• What's my deductible and has it been met yet?

• Do I need pre-authorization for therapy?

• Does my policy cover outpatient therapy? (Or, for assessment: Does my policy cover psychological testing and assessment?)

• If you're using telehealth—are virtual counseling sessions covered?

• Are there any specific restrictions, like being limited to 12 sessions per year or services being contracted through another company like Teledoc or MDLive?

• Will you need any special documentation from my therapist?

Our billing professional will verify your benefits as a courtesy, it's ultimately your responsibility to understand your coverage. You'll be responsible for anything insurance doesn't cover, including co-pays.

We no longer offer psychological testing or assessment services at Blackbird. Our team has chosen to focus exclusively on therapy services to better serve our clients' needs. If you're seeking assessment for ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, or other conditions, we're happy to provide referrals to trusted colleagues in the Muncie area who specialize in these services.

Currently, our practice focuses exclusively on adults (18+). While we recognize the importance of mental health services for younger children, our therapists' expertise and practice focus is on helping teens and adults navigate life's challenges. If you're seeking therapy for a child under 18, we'd be glad to recommend qualified child and adolescent therapists in our community.

As licensed psychologists (HSPP), our doctoral-level training involves 5-7 years of graduate education beyond a bachelor's degree, plus at least one year of full-time supervised residency. This extensive training includes coursework, research, and thousands of hours of clinical practice.

Psychologists have specialized expertise in assessment, diagnosis, and evidence-based treatments. While we don't prescribe medication (that's psychiatrists), our deep understanding of psychological, biological, and social factors affecting mental health allows us to provide comprehensive care and collaborate effectively with medical providers when needed.

Most of our clients meet with their therapist every other week. This schedule provides enough time to practice new skills between sessions while maintaining momentum in your therapy journey. However, we recognize that everyone's needs are different—during particularly challenging periods, we might recommend weekly sessions, while less frequent meetings might be appropriate as you progress. Together, we'll determine a schedule that supports your unique healing process.

Absolutely! We provide both in-office sessions at our Muncie location and secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth sessions. Many clients appreciate the flexibility of being able to switch between formats based on their schedule, weather conditions, or comfort level. Both formats are equally effective for most therapy needs, and your insurance benefits typically apply to either option. During your consultation, we can discuss which format might work best for your specific situation.

We're a small but mighty practice, with current office hours on Thursdays and Fridays only. We've intentionally kept our practice intimate—it allows us to truly focus on each person who walks through our doors rather than rushing between appointments all week long.

While our schedule might seem limited compared to larger clinics, our clients tell us they appreciate the unhurried, personalized care they receive during these days. Many find that adjusting their own schedule for the right therapeutic fit is well worth it.

Can't make Thursday or Friday work? We understand completely. We're happy to connect you with trusted colleagues in the Muncie area who might have availability that better aligns with your life. Just let us know what you need!