FAQs

Treatment & Care

What happens in a therapy session?

Therapy is a supportive and confidential process where you will feel heard and understood. At the beginning of a therapy session, you will most likely be invited to share what’s on your mind and you and your therapist will discuss what’s been going on in your life, challenges you have been facing, and your feelings about it.

Your therapist will use their expertise to help you gain a new perspective, learn more about yourself and your situation, recognize patterns of behavior that have become problematic, and develop new skills you can use in your day-to-day life to achieve your goals.

Therapy is a collaborative process between you and your therapist; you will make greater progress when you actively participate in the therapeutic process.

When and why does MHCA recommend medications?

MHCA has psychiatrists (MDs) and Physician Assistants (PAs) who have extensive training in mental health medication prescription management.

They will guide you through the process of learning what works for you. Medication can be one of many treatment options available at MHCA.

We might recommend medication if it is most likely to help support your treatment goals and likely to improve results of other treatment recommendations.

How long can I expect to be in therapy?

Depending on your own unique needs, therapy can be short-term (6-12 sessions), for a specific issue or goal, or long-term, to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for continued self-awareness and personal growth

Does what we talk about remain confidential?

At MHCA we take patient privacy very seriously. We know that for people to feel comfortable talking about private and revealing information they need to feel safe and know that what is discussed will not leave the therapy room. There is also laws and ethical code in place to protect your privacy. In some specific situations, therapists are mandated to share certain information and can do so without the patient’s written consent. The exceptions to confidentiality are:

In the event of harm to self or others. Therapists may disclose private information without consent in order to protect the patient or the public from serious harm — if, for example, a client discusses plans to attempt suicide or harm another person.

  • Therapists are required to report ongoing domestic violence, abuse or neglect of children, the elderly, or people with disabilities. (However, if an adult discloses that he or she was abused as a child, the therapist isn’t bound to report that abuse, unless there are other children continuing to be abused.)
  • Therapists may release information if they receive a court order. That might happen if a person’s mental health came into question during legal proceedings.

Pricing & Insurance

How much does therapy cost?

Depending on the type of your treatment plan and the specialty of the therapist/s you see, (Counseling vs. Medication Management vs. Psychological Assessments) cost will vary.

Once your initial assessment is complete you will receive a comprehensive treatment plan, schedule, and cost before proceeding.

If you have insurance, our various mental health services will be subject to your policy coverage and contracted rates (see pricing and insurance details here).

If you are a cash-paying patient then pricing is as advertised.

What payment methods are accepted?

We accept major credit/debit cards. All treatment plans and corresponding costs will be discussed upfront during your assessment review visit. 

Payment for scheduled services will be due at the time of service rendered.

How do health laws affect price?

There are many health laws that you can look into if you want to ensure that your insurance company complies. Here are some examples.

Mental Health Parity, or Health Parity. This happens when insurance networks are required to provide equal coverage to mental healthcare and substance abuse disorders. Many insurance providers offer parity, but sometimes, the quality may differ.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Shortened to the Affordable Care Act is a law that requires health insurance companies to cover mental health and substance abuse disorders.

Insurance?

MHCA participates in a wide variety of health plans to serve our patients. Check your insurance agreement to learn more about your coverage. If you have any questions related to health insurance acceptance or covered services, please feel free to contact us.

What about no-shows?

Patients who do not cancel their appointment within 48 hours of the scheduled appointment will be assessed the full session fee. The fee will be collected prior to or upon time of next service. Patients who have unpaid no show fees shall have services suspended until which time they have fully paid the outstanding no show balance or have made payment arrangements with our office.

What mental health services does MHCA provide?

Because we are a mental health primary care provider we provide a full spectrum of services including:

Psychological Services

  • Comprehensive Psychological Evaluation
  • Individual Counseling/Therapy
  • Couples and Group Counseling
  • Neurofeedback (biofeedback)
  • Psychiatric Services
  • Medication Evaluation and Management
  • Bio-Medical Evaluation and Management

Wellness

  • Heat Exposure (infrared sauna)
  • Head Exposure (red light therapy)
  • Cold Exposure (ice plunge)
  • Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy 

Neurofeedback

Is neurofeedback painful?

No, there is no pain associated with neurofeedback. Very few patients may experience a slight headache after participating in neurofeedback.

Will neurofeedback affect my personality?

Neurofeedback will not change your personality. It will simply calm your brain and allow you to think more clearly and positively. This change allows you to feel and act how you want when you want.

Does neurofeedback require intense concentration?

No, neurofeedback (also known as direct neurofeedback) is completely passive and does not require intense concentration.

Will neurofeedback interact with any medications?

No, neurofeedback is not known to interact with any medications. Neurofeedback is drug-free. You should continue to take medications as prescribed by your provider. 

What are the known side effects of neurofeedback?

Neurofeedback has been used for over 30 years, with very few reported side effects and is considered safe for all patients. In rare cases, some individuals have reported feeling tired, foggy, or having a slight headache, while other have reported feeling energetic or really happy.

Are neurofeedback and biofeedback the same thing?

Neurofeedback and biofeedback are often described as the same things. Neurofeedback is in fact a type of biofeedback; as they both are designed to specifically target brainwave patterns.

Can neurofeedback be done at home?

Neurofeedback is safe to be performed at home but should be performed under the supervision of a qualified neurofeedback technician.

Neurofeedback Treatment compared to Drug-Based Therapy

Medications (drugs) can be very effective and, at times, are completely necessary in order to treat mental health-related symptoms. However, some medications can be harmful and even dangerous for some people. You should always consult with a licensed medical and mental health provider before initiating drug-based therapy. 

If a patient can reach their treatment goals without the use of drugs, they’ll generally be free of adverse side effects from that medication. These include things such as dependence, fatigue, nausea, sleep changes, and more.

Compared to drugs, neurofeedback is a nonmedication form of treatment that can lead to long-term improvement. This is because it uses a learning process that strengthens and develops the synaptic connections in the brain. 

How Many Neurofeedback Sessions Will I Need?

Some people report noticeable results after their initial session; however, the clinically recommended number of sessions is 20. Research has shown that the number of sessions a patient participates in will influence treatment outcome and that results will vary among patients.

Where some patients will achieve treatment outcomes in the recommended amount of 20 sessions, some patients may benefit from 25 – 35 sessions. 

Ultimately, the number of sessions you might need will be determined by your provider and will be documented on your individual treatment plan. The provider will utilize outcome measures to follow symptoms and adjust treatment as necessary. 

What is an EEG

The acronym EEG stands for electroencephalogram. And Electroencephalogram is a machine that monitors electrical brain activity. We can actually map your brain and see your brain activity when you’re engaged in Neurofeedback therapy.

What Do I Wear on My Head During Therapy?

You can wear whatever you would like on your head leading into your appointment. At the time of the appointment, you will be asked to remove your hat, or anything around the forehead area.

The sensors (electrodes), which are small metal plates attached to a short wire that connects to the neurofeedback amplifier will be placed on your forehead and earlobes. The sensors will assess the electrical impulses coming from your brain and send that electrical signal from your brain to the neurofeedback amplifier. 

Take The First Step

Complete this brief form to schedule your commitment-free assessment at our convenient Phoenix or Mesa locations, or call us at (602) 704-2345, and our helpful staff will assist you.