Sex therapy is a type of talk psychotherapy that focuses on the intersection of a client's mental health and sexual well-being. This may include concerns related to sex, sexuality, gender, body image, low desire, erectile dysfunction, premature/delayed ejaculation, communication or conflicts about sex within a relationship, out of control sexual behavior (i.e. sex addiction), etc. Sex therapy never involves sexual touch or contact between the therapist and client.

While I specialize in sex therapy, I am equipped to work with many different concerns related to mental health. We don’t have to talk about sex the entire time, or at all. We honor that you are a multifaceted being and encourage the discussion of any topic that impacts you.

A wholehearted YES! I am not here to change either of you. Rather, I am here to help improve understanding and communication about your differences. I enjoy being a sounding board for people working through their beliefs and inner complexities. I will never push you to abandon your convictions; rather, I encourage you to work with your values in order to come to a place of alignment and peace.

Before scheduling a therapy session, I do a free 10-minute intro call with all potential new clients. This gives us the chance to get to know each other. Here’s what you can expect:

• I’ll ask you about why you’re seeking therapy

• I’ll tell you a bit about myself and my approach as a therapist

• You can ask me any questions that I didn’t cover

• We’ll talk about rates, insurance, scheduling, etc.

Creating a comfortable and affirming environment for you is my biggest priority. Therapy can be heavy at times, so I like to use humor and have fun with my clients. While this is a professional relationship and service, sessions often feel casual and down-to-earth.

The relationship with your therapist is an important part of therapy, so I encourage you to ask as many questions as you’d like before getting started.

I am based in West Michigan and provide therapy across the entire states of Michigan and Illinois via HIPPA compliant telehealth. This means that whether you live in Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Traverse City, Lansing, or Chicago, we’re here to serve you!

All therapy sessions are conducted virtually through a HIPPA compliant and easy-to-use telehealth platform.

It depends on your insurance plan. If you have out-of-network benefits, they typically will reimburse you for 60-80% of the cost of each session. See the next FAQ for more details.

Your out-of-network benefits are usually pretty straightforward to use. To make things even simpler for you, I work with Mentaya, a platform that helps clients get money back on out-of-network therapy sessions.

You will be responsible for paying for each session in full at time of appointment. If you have out-of-network benefits, Mentaya will file claims and handle the insurance paperwork to make sure you get reimbursed.

Note: Mentaya's goal is to save you time and money. It's completely optional, and as your therapist I do not benefit in any way from your participation.

Alternatively, you can do it on your own. Most insurance companies have you upload your monthly superbill online (I’ll send this to you on the 1st of each month) and then they will mail you a check with your reimbursement.

It’s always a good idea to call the number on the back of your health insurance card listed under Member Services.

You can ask them the following questions:

• Do I have out-of-network outpatient mental health coverage? Am I able to use these benefits for telehealth?

• What is my out-of-network deductible?

• How much of my deductible has been met this year?

• Do I need a referral from an in-network provider to see someone out-of-network?

• What percentage of outpatient psychotherapy sessions are covered per session?

• How much will I be reimbursed for a 55-minute psychotherapy session (CPT code: 90837)?

• How do I submit claim forms for reimbursement?

• How long does it take for me to receive reimbursement?

If we both decide we're a good fit after our intro call, we'll schedule our first therapy appointment. I'll send you a few quick forms to complete before our first session, and that’s it!

I meet with the majority of my clients on a weekly or biweekly basis. Meeting weekly in the beginning allows us to start off on a strong foot, so you can start seeing progress right away.

As we begin meeting, I may recommend that we increase or decrease the frequency of sessions based on your needs. Of course, the frequency of your sessions is always ultimately up to you.

This varies widely. Ongoing therapy can last anywhere from a few months to a few years, depending on your needs and specific goals.

Many of my clients find relief within a few sessions, and meet their goals within 3-6 months. Others choose to continue for much longer, enjoying the ongoing support of consistent sessions with a trusted therapist.

Your treatment duration is always up to you.

In order to provide greater access to care, we proudly offer reduced fee slots of up to a 50% discount for qualifying clients. We also offer a limited number of pro-bono assessments and gender affirming referral letters to qualifying clients each year. To inquire about the availability of these slots or for more information, please give us a call at (616)-952-3135 or contact us via our contact form.

We understand that things come up. If you aren’t able to make your appointment, please let us know with at least 24-hours’ notice. All appointments cancelled within 24-hours are charged the full session fee.

Like most specialty providers, You Bloom Therapy does not participate in any insurance plans. Because You Bloom Therapy is a private pay practice, you are in control of every aspect of your treatment including session frequency, duration, and length; you have clarity of costs upfront; and you have extra protected confidentiality.

We believe that each individual is unique and often does not fit into the standard boxes that our current healthcare system gives us to choose from. We also believe in a strengths based model rather than a pathologizing one. Here at You Bloom Therapy, you are treated with respect, dignity, and personalized care.

Regarding insurance, we are an out-of-network provider, which means that we’re not able to offer direct billing to your insurance company. However, many insurance plans offer out-of-network benefits. This means that you are responsible for paying our fee up front and then you may be reimbursed by your insurance company.