Frequently asked questions
What is First Responder Therapy Solutions?
Healing Those Who Protect Us: The individuals we entrust with safeguarding our communities and nation often bear the weight of unique challenges that can impact their well-being. At our core, we are dedicated to establishing a healing bond with Special Operations Veterans, Law Enforcement Officers, Air Traffic Controllers, and those in the Department of Corrections. We recognize the specialized needs, the distinctiveness of their professions, and the traumas they might endure in the line of duty. We strive to support their mental well-being while navigating the complexities of their professional environment. Our Commitment: At First Responder Therapy Solutions, we are committed to standing alongside these exceptional individuals, offering a healing sanctuary where they can process their experiences, heal from trauma, and regain a sense of balance and well-being. Through a specialized understanding of their unique roles, our goal is to provide personalized, empathetic, and effective therapeutic support, aiding in their journey towards recovery and resilience.
Who will be helping me?
At First Responder Therapy Solutions, our different therapists have different approaches and areas of focus, so it's important to find the right person who can achieve the best results for you.
Who are the therapists?
Our therapists at First Responder Therapy Solutions are licensed, trained, experienced, licensed clinical social workers (LCSW / LICSW), licensed professional counselors (LPC) or licensed professional counselors- associated (LPC-A) ; All of them have a Master's degree or a Doctorate Degree in their field. They have been qualified and certified by their state's professional board after successfully completing the necessary education, exams, training, and practice of hands-on experience. For more information on our therapists, please visit our Team page.
How do I know if First Responder therapy Solutions is a right fit for me?
We might be right for you if you're looking to improve the quality of your life. Whenever there is anything that interferes with your happiness or prevents you from achieving your goals, we may be able to help. We also have therapists who specialize in specific issues such as stress, anxiety, relationships, parenting, depression, addictions, eating, sleeping, trauma, anger, family conflicts, LGBTQ matters, grief, religion, self-esteem, and more.
How much does therapy cost?
First Responder Therapy Solutions session fees
Individual session (50 minutes) $150.00/session
Family/Couples session (50 minutes) $165.00/session
Family/Couples session (90 minutes) $200.00/session
Consultations/communication outside of the session that is more than 10 minutes is charged at
$100.00 rate/hour (i.e., 30 minutes = $50.00). This includes but not limited to, phone, text, emails, video, fax, video calls, or any other form of communication
Does First Responder Therapy Solutions accept insurance?
First Responder Therapy Solutions only accepts:
Blue Cross / Blue Shield
United Healthcare / Optum and Tricare
Tricare
Aetna
What type of counseling does First Responder therapy Solutions offer?
Our therapists specialize and focus on treatment of military service members, custody cases, LGBTQIA+, the senior citizen community, individuals who are diagnosed with severe mental health illnesses, specifically with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, individuals who have experienced suicidal ideations, homicidal ideations, or self-harm, assisting individuals coping with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) symptoms.
What age range does First Responder Therapy Solutions work with?
First Responder Therapy Solutions works with adult individuals – and children ages 2 years and up; please contact our office for more information if needed.
What is teletherapy?
Teletherapy, also known as online therapy, e-therapy, e-counseling, involves providing mental health services and support over the internet or remotely.
How does teletherapy work and what devices can I use?
Different technological devices can be used to conduct teletherapy sessions such as a computer or cell phone.
How will I communicate with my therapist(s)?
Exchanging messages with your therapist
Chatting live with your therapist
Speaking over the phone with your therapist
Video conferencing with your therapist
You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience
How does messaging work?
You and your therapist will get a therapy room which will be your personal and secure place to communicate. You will write about yourself, the things going on in your life, ask questions and discuss the issues that trouble you. Your therapist will then read your messages, and respond with questions, feedback, insights, and guidance. You can send messages to your therapist at any time, from any location, using any Internet-connected device. You can log in to your room at any time and since messaging is not in real-time it doesn't require scheduling. Instead, you can choose whenever you want to write or respond to your therapist. You will get a notification by email when the therapist has sent you a message.
How do live chat session work?
You will sometimes want to have a text conversation with your therapist in real-time. This way you can still enjoy the convenience of messaging but also enjoy a "live" interaction that allows instant response and feedback from your therapist.
To have a live chat session, you will first need to schedule a time with your therapist. At the scheduled time, log in to your account to start typing and chatting with your therapist.
How do live phone sessions work?
Phone sessions are a great way to conveniently speak with your therapist by simply using your landline or cell phone, no matter where you are.
To talk with your therapist over the phone, you will need to schedule a time with your therapist and log in to your therapy room at that time. The therapist will prompt you to start the phone session and the system will ask you for your phone number. The system will then call you at that number and connect you with your therapist to start the phone session. Please note that the phone number you enter will not be shared with the therapist.
How do video sessions work?
You can also have a video session with your therapist where you see each other and talk with each other in a virtual face-to-face setting (similar to Skype).
To talk with your therapist via video, you will need to schedule a time with your therapist and log in to your therapy room at that time. Your therapist will then prompt you to start the video session. After you confirm, you will immediately begin video chatting with your therapist.
Will my therapist treat what I say as confidential?
All therapists are licensed with their applicable licensing board after successfully completing the necessary education, exams, training, and practice. This means that when you talk to a licensed therapist online, they are subject to the mandated reporting and confidentiality requirements of their governing board and respective state laws, similar to in-office therapy.
Generally, the therapist will keep what you tell them confidential, but there are limited exceptions. For example, if you threaten grave harm to yourself or to an identifiable victim the therapist is required to report this information to relevant authorities. Before starting therapy, please discuss with your therapist their legal obligations to confidentiality if you have any concerns or questions.
How is my privacy and security protected?
The information that you share is also protected by data privacy laws, for more information see our Privacy Policy. Here are some things that might be helpful to know:
We have built state-of-the-art technology, operations, and infrastructure with the goal of protecting your privacy and safeguarding the information you provide.
Our databases are encrypted and scrambled so they essentially become useless in the unlikely event that they are stolen or compromised.
We don't work with any insurance companies, so nothing needs to be shared, reported, or filed with them.
If you wish for any of your information or records to be released to a third party, please let your therapist know so that they can facilitate the release.
How can I sign up for therapy?
Please Contact Us to set up an inquiry, by filling out your name, phone number and email address to set you up for an appointment.
How long will it take for someone to set up an appointment?
1-2 business days
Appointments are based on Therapist availability
How long are my teletherapy sessions?
Individual session (50 minutes) $150.00/session
Family/Couples session (50 minutes) $165.00/session
Family/Couples session (90 minutes) $200.00/session
Consultations/communication outside of the session that is more than 10 minutes is charged at
$100.00 rate/hour (i.e. 30 minutes = $50.00). This includes but is not limited to: phone, text, emails, video, fax, video calls, or any other form of communication
What will my first session look like?
The first session is known in the “counseling world” as the intake session. The purpose of the intake session is a time where your therapist goes over all there is to know about you to help gather a picture to help you both out. One way in which your therapist gets to know you is through the use of forms. These could include informed consent, intake forms, release of information and questionnaires.
Can I switch therapists?
Yes, you may switch therapists at any time, please contact our office in order to switch you to another one of our therapists.
How can I terminate my services?
You can terminate counseling services at any time, please contact our office in order to properly terminate our services.
Are in-person office sessions available?
Yes, depending on your therapist and location, office visits can be arranged. Please speak to your therapist about availability.
Can you guarantee that I will have a positive experience with my therapist?
First Responder Therapy Solutions strives to offer everyone positive experiences with our services. Our licensed professional therapists understand that their role is to help guide their patients through their obstacles in a safe environment as well as ensuring positive results. At FRTS, we want our patients to remember that our sessions will be difficult, positive, challenging and rewarding. However, we understand that sometimes the therapy bond between therapist and patient does not blend well and it is okay to request another therapist. We want our patients to feel comfortable in voicing any of their concerns. If there are any further questions, please feel free to contact us.