FAQ

How do I begin counseling?

Please review the website to determine if Dr. Spiegelhoff & Associates is a good fit. To schedule an appointment, please contact the practice by phone or email. During the initial consultation, Dr. Spiegelhoff will discuss what is bringing you to counseling. She may also share insight as to the concerns.

Following the initial consultation, an appointment will be scheduled. Afterward, you will receive an email inviting you to the client portal where you can complete intake documents.

At the first session, is an opportunity for Dr. Spiegelhoff to get to know you better. Together, you will discuss your concerns that brought you to counseling and your health and wellness history. Towards the end of this session, goals will be established, as well as recommendations for treatment.

Who do you work with in counseling?

Dr. Spiegelhoff & Associates provides individual, couples, and family counseling for ages preteen +. Family counseling is required for children under 12 years old. Dr. Spiegelhoff’s specialties include holistic wellness and integrative health, teen and young adult mental health, and family counseling. For more information, visit the counseling and other services page.

I’m new to counseling. What should I know?

Every counselor has their own style of counseling. Counseling at Dr. Spiegelhoff & Associates is integrative, with the primary focus on improving mental health and wellness. The process of counseling can be difficult at times, as you will often need to discuss difficult topics before making progress and lifestyle changes. Counseling requires a lot of work from the client, but Dr. Spiegelhoff and the Associate Counselors are there to support you and guide you along the way.

What is your style and treatment approach?

Dr. Spiegelhoff provides integrative mental health, meaning that she takes a whole-body approach to treating clients. She believes that mental health is effected by and contributes to one’s overall wellness. Specific to mental health, Dr. Spiegelhoff practices insight-oriented counseling, which places emphasis on personal discovery, discernment of significant life events, and how to empower the self to be an agent of change. Associate Counselors are supervised under Dr. Spiegelhoff, and receive training in integrative mental health to ensure analogous treatment.

When appropriate and of interest to the client, Dr. Spiegelhoff will provide integrative mental health psychoeducation and consultation. Integrative mental health is a holistic approach to mental health treatment, utilizing different fields of health and nutritional sciences as complementary to traditional counseling.

How often do we meet?

For continuity of care, Dr. Spiegelhoff prefers to meet with clients weekly or biweekly. However, dependent on client needs and/or as client make progress, sessions may be spaced out further. Together we will coordinate a schedule that works best with your preferences, finances, and issues.

Do you prescribe medication?

No, Dr. Spiegelhoff does not prescribe medication. In NY, only MD/DO, NP, and PA can prescribe. However, Dr. Spiegelhoff will collaborate with medical providers to determine the treatment that is best for each client.

All integrative health discussions, including but not limited to, physical health, diet and nutrition, exercise, and integrative-care are for psychoeducation and support. These are not prescriptive treatments and not intended to provide medical advice or take the place of treatment from a personal physician. Clients are responsible for consulting with a physician before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program.

How long are sessions?

Counseling sessions are 50-55 minutes.

What is your fee?

Dr. Spiegelhoff
$175 Individual counseling
$200 Family/couples counseling

Associate Counselor (Master’s Degree Level)
$135 Individual counseling
$160 Family/couples counseling

What payment methods do you accept?

Dr. Spiegelhoff & Associates accepts all major credit cards, including HSA/FSA cards, checks, and cash. A credit card will be maintained all clients’ files. Credit card payments are required for telehealth.

Do you accept insurance?

I’m an out-of-network provider and do not work directly with any insurance company in-network. You may be eligible for partial reimbursement depending on your plan. For your convenience, I will provide you with a monthly statement (superbill) to submit for reimbursement. Out-of-network benefits typically reimburse up to 80% of the therapy fee.  

If you have questions about OON and contacting your insurance, see the Verifying Benefits page.

What should I ask my insurance company regarding out-of-network coverage?

Prior to beginning treatment, contact your insurance company to inquire if your plan provides out-of-network coverage. If yes, ask if there is a deductible and how much is it. Also, ask where you can send superbills for out-of-network coverage. Typically, superbills can be sent by email or postal mail.

Is counseling confidential?

Counseling is confidential with a few exceptions.

  • Confidentiality must be broken if Dr. Spiegelhoff believes that the client is in imminent danger of harming oneself or others (i.e., suicide and homicide), reports of child or elder abuse, and animal abuse.
  • Counseling is not confidential for minors, those under 18. However, when working with adolescents, Dr. Spiegelhoff does her best to maintain privacy and only share on a need to know basis. The only people who can request information for a minor are the minor’s legal guardians.
  • If counseling information is requested by a court of law though subpoena, Dr. Spiegelhoff will consult with a lawyer and inform the client of the request. In most cases, counseling information will have to be shared with a court.
  • Counseling information may be shared with others if the client requests such information to be shared and signs a release of information. For example, some clients may ask for information to be shared with another health care provider.
  • When beginning counseling, please review the informed consent for more information about confidentiality, including court-ordered information.
If I don’t live in the New York, can we still work together? Do you offer services for PA residents?

In-person and telehealth sessions are available to New York residents.  Telehealth is available to Pennsylvania residents.

Dr. Spiegelhoff is available out-of-state for integrative health assessment and consultation and speaking engagements.

What if I need to cancel an appointment?

Although issues such as family and work emergencies, childcare issues, or illness may arise that make it challenging to keep your appointment, Dr. Spiegelhoff & Associates has a no-show and cancellation policy. Since the appointment time has been set aside just for you, there will be a full session charge for any canceled within 48 hours. Exceptions will be made for emergencies and illness.

How do I contact you?

You can reach Dr. Spiegelhoff & Associates via email and phone. I will get back to you as soon as possible, typically within 24 business hours. If you are in crisis and need immediate assistance, please dial 911 or contact St. Joseph’s Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP) at 315.448.6555.