Frequently Asked Questions

We offer in-person psychological services at our St. Petersburg office in Tampa Bay area, Florida, and provide telepsychology services to individuals in 43 PSYPACT participating states.

This is a child, adolescent, parent, young adult, and family-focused practice. In addition, adults experiencing certain difficulties may also be seen and supported within our practice.

We do not, under any circumstances, provide services related to forensic psychology, parenting evaluations, or child custody disputes, as these are outside the scope of our practice.

Seeking treatment with a psychologist can be a transformative step toward understanding yourself better and improving your mental well-being. Psychologists are the highest-level trained mental health professionals, holding a doctoral degree and extensive clinical experience, including 5+ years of training and coursework, a clinical internship, and a post-doctoral residency. They are licensed and adhere to strict ethical standards, ensuring you receive evidence-based, effective care. 

Treatment length varies based on individual needs and progress. We initially meet more frequently to build trust and rapport, then adjust session frequency as appropriate. The number of sessions depends on the complexity of concerns and response to therapy. Your psychologist will regularly review goals and update the treatment plan as needed.

Payment Policy

To simplify the payment process, we require a credit card to be kept on file before scheduling your initial intake appointment for therapy or psychological evaluations. This information is securely stored in our online system and will be used to process payments. The credit card provided will be automatically charged the day of your appointment for all services. Payment is required in full for all services rendered.

• Therapy: Payment for therapy sessions is due the day of your appointment and will be automatically charged to the card on file.
• Psychological Evaluations: A $300 deposit is required to hold psychological evaluation appointments. Remaining payment may be made in full at the time of the first testing session, or in two installments.

Cancellation/No-Show Policy

Your appointment time is reserved exclusively for you. If you need to cancel or reschedule, we require a minimum of 24 hours' notice. 24-hour notice (weekends not included; i.e., if appointment Monday at 9am then the appointment must be cancelled by 9am the previous Friday). 

Failure to provide adequate notice will result in the following fees:

• Therapy: A $100 fee will be charged for missed appointments or cancellations within 24 hours of the scheduled appointment time.
• Psychological Evaluations: The $300 deposit for psychological evaluations will be forfeited if the appointment is canceled or missed without proper notice.

These fees will be charged to the credit card on file. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping us maintain our schedule and accommodate all patients who wish to reserve time.

Therapy:

Growing Minds Psychological Services Inc. charges the following fees for therapy services:

• Initial Clinical Intake: $300
• Ongoing Therapy Appointments: $200

Testing:
Fees for evaluation services range from $500 to $2800, depending on the duration and specific assessments required for a comprehensive evaluation. Testing packages include a clinical intake interview, administration and scoring of assessments, interpretation of results, preparation of a detailed report, and a feedback session. Comprehensive psychoeducational, psychological, and neuropsychological testing services are available.

Out of Network Reimbursement:

If you are interested in filing for out-of-network reimbursement, we encourage you to review our FAQ section on Out of Network Reimbursement for helpful guidance and resources. Many clients find that their insurance plans offer partial coverage for services provided by out-of-network providers. We are happy to provide you with a detailed invoice (superbill) to assist with the submission process. For further information about your specific coverage and how to file a claim, please contact your insurance provider directly.

Insurance Policy

Growing Minds Psychological Services, Inc. is currently in-network with Aetna (billed through Headway) for therapy services only, available exclusively to residents of Florida.

You may also be eligible to use your Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for our services. Please contact your insurance plan administrator to confirm eligibility and coverage.

For Florida residents, we are an approved provider to accept Step Up Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities.

Out-of-Network Information

If you’re considering using out-of-network benefits for services at Growing Minds Psychological Services Inc., it’s helpful to contact your insurance provider to clarify your coverage. The customer service number for mental health benefits is typically listed on the back of your insurance card.

Steps to Check Your Out-of-Network Coverage:

1. Ask About Out-of-Network Benefits:
When speaking with your insurer, let them know you plan to see an out-of-network psychologist. Ask if your plan includes out-of-network benefits and, if so, what those benefits entail. This may include information about deductibles and the percentage of costs covered.
 

2. Clarify Coverage for Different Services:
Some insurance plans vary benefits depending on the type of service. You may want to ask about reimbursement for the following common billing codes:
 

90791: Initial Intake

90837: Individual Therapy

90846: Family Therapy (without client present)

90847: Family Therapy (with client present)

90785: Interactive Complexity

96136, 96137, 96130, 96131: Psychological Testing

96132, 96133: Neuropsychological Testing

3. Calculate Your Potential Reimbursement:
Once you know your deductible and the reimbursement rate for these billing codes, you can estimate what your insurance may reimburse for each session or evaluation.
 

4. Get Instructions for Submitting Claims:
Request the appropriate mailing address or online portal information from your insurer for submitting your superbill (the detailed statement we provide). This will help ensure your claim is processed smoothly.
 

We hope these steps make it easier to navigate your out-of-network mental health benefits and access to care.

Good Faith Estimate Policy

You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any medical care services. Under the No Surprises Act, we are required to provide you with an estimate of the costs for the services you plan to receive.

This estimate will include the cost of your sessions and any related services, such as psychological evaluations or therapy. We will discuss the frequency and duration of your treatment during your intake appointment to help you understand the potential costs. You are welcome to request a Good Faith Estimate before scheduling any services. This estimate will be provided to you in writing, and we recommend saving a copy for your records. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than the Good Faith Estimate, you have the right to dispute the bill. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 800-985-3059.

We are committed to providing transparent pricing to help you make informed decisions about your mental health care.

Privacy Statement

Patient privacy and data confidentiality are top priorities at Growing Minds Psychological Services, Inc.  We will only collaborate with other professionals if you provide proper written consent through the appropriate release of information form.

Your medical records are securely stored using an electronic medical records (EMR) system that complies with HIPAA regulations to protect your privacy. Our full HIPAA and practice policy documentation will be included in your intake paperwork.

Confidentiality & Privacy Policy

The law protects the relationship between a patient and a psychologist, and information cannot be disclosed without written permission. However, there are exceptions to this rule:

• Suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse must be reported to the appropriate authorities immediately, as required by law.
• If a patient is threatening serious bodily harm to another person, we are obligated to notify the police and inform the intended victim.
• If a patient expresses immediate danger, we are legally required to take protective measures to ensure their safety.