FAQ

The answer to this question can differ depending on each person’s needs. However, in a general sense, coming to therapy can be life-changing. Everyone carries pain and hardship to a degree, and many people choose to gain guidance and insight from a trained mental health professional in the same way we also decide to go to the doctor when we feel sick. If you don’t feel right or well and need support, therapy is an excellent place.

Our therapists are different. We are all highly skilled and trained in several therapeutic approaches to meet various needs. Our office can be a place to come and talk, but it is also a place to process deeply and see the changes you need take place inside of yourself.

You won’t find the typical therapy cliches at Cultivating Changes, LLC. We strive to break the mold by offering services designed to move you toward healing as quickly as possible. We want you to feel better and empowered to maintain your healing independently.

Each therapist has rates based on several factors, such as experience, training, licensing, and certifications. Whether you speak with our assistant or the therapist directly, you can ask more specifically for that information when we connect.

Cultivating Changes, LLC is a self-pay private practice that does not take insurance. However, we offer a Superbill receipt that you can submit to your insurance company for out-of-network reimbursement.

To check and see if you have out-of-network mental health benefits, you can call your insurance company and ask, “Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits?” If you do, we will happily provide you with a Superbill after each visit.

There are a few simple ways to schedule an appointment! You can call, text, or email our assistant at (281) 898-2405 or kdurrani@cultivatingchanges.net. She can guide you through the process of choosing the right therapist for you, connecting you to them, and setting up an appointment.

If you already know the therapist you are interested in working with and want to reach out to them directly, you are welcome to do so! Their individual contact info is on their About page.

The first session with one of our therapists is typically 60 minutes long and focuses on getting to know you and why you seek therapeutic support. We work to take this time to build a connection and relationship with you, answering any questions you have and learning your story. Many clients come to this session and say, “I don’t know where to start,” and “It feels overwhelming to try and communicate everything.” Don’t worry! We have prepared for this and will guide you by asking questions and breaking the ice.

After the initial session, we generally have a good idea of where to go. Together, we will design a plan of action to meet your goals.

In our following sessions, we will begin the work to get you where you want to be. We can approach this in the way that suits you best. Don’t worry if you come in for your session and need support with something not part of the plan. We know well that life throws curve balls, and we can be flexible with the flow of your needs.

It is typical for your therapist to answer this question in the first session. However, due to time or monetary constraints, some people can only meet at a particular interval, which is not a problem. We will work with your capacity and ability to provide the needed care. If you do not have any preferences or restraints, you will work with your therapist to determine the frequency that best suits your situation and needs.

What a great question! Finding a therapist who feels right for you is essential, and it can feel a little overwhelming since there are often many choices. Beginning therapy is already a big step.

An excellent first step is reading about our therapists on their About pages to see if one stands out. If you aren’t sure, ask yourself, “What do I want/need most from a therapist?” Maybe you need someone direct and to the point or prefer someone softer and gentler.

You should communicate whatever you decide matters most to you to our assistant or the therapist with whom you first speak. Our goal is to connect to the therapist that best matches your needs.

Once you have reached your goals and feel your work is over, you and your therapist will discuss ending treatment. Some people feel positive and confident in their progress and are ready to stop meeting. Some therapists offer the option to reach out if needed, and if the therapist has space, the client can pop in for a session to get brief support. Other clients opt to taper off therapy by meeting less frequently until they feel more confident. Whatever approach feels right for you, we will have your back as you move toward ending therapy on your terms.

Yes! Each of our therapists has pursued training and certifications well beyond the basic skills necessary to become a mental health professional. Each is a subject matter expert in their niche.

As a practice, we focus on providing mental health services empirically or highly researched to provide deep and lasting results. Namely, you will find a therapist here who has training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), the treatment of sexual compulsion, Somatic Experiencing (SE), Safe and Sound Protocol, sand tray and play therapies, Post-Induction Therapy, Brainspotting, Emotionally Focused Therapy, polyvagal theories, and many more trauma-focused approaches.

We have Kleenex, only the best for our clients. Tears happen sometimes, and we want to provide comfort in the softest, most inviting tissues we can find. Only the best for you!

Of course! Many of our clients like to get as comfortable as possible before diving in. Go ahead and kick off your shoes, grab a pillow, weighted blanket, or something to fidget with. If there is something that would help you feel more comfortable, let us know! We will do the best we can to support you.

Just let us know! We want you to be as comfortable as possible while we work together, so we keep water, coffee, tea, and snacks available that we would love to share with you. You are also welcome to bring along a drink (nonalcoholic, just in case you wondered), snack, or comfort item if you would like.

Of course, registered service animals are welcome in therapy! However, we cannot welcome nonregistered service pets, no matter how well-behaved they are or how badly we would love to meet them. Due to the nature of our work, we can only have Registered Service Animals in the office.