Frequently Asked Questions
Honest answers to the questions we hear most often — because getting started should never feel complicated.
We understand that reaching out for support can feel like a significant step — and that having clear, honest information before you take it makes a real difference. The questions below are organized by topic. If you do not find what you are looking for, please reach out directly. We are always happy to help.
Getting Started
I’ve never talked to anyone before. Aren’t people who seek therapy weak?
Not at all — and we would gently offer a reframe. Recognizing when you need support and having the courage to reach out for it is one of the most honest expressions of self-awareness and strength available to a person. Everyone carries challenges that exceed their current tools at some point in their lives. The individuals who seek help are not weaker than those who do not — they are simply more willing to invest in themselves. You already have strengths that have carried you this far. Our practitioners will help you identify them, build on them, and apply them to what you are navigating now.
What is the difference between talking to a Scholar practitioner and talking to a friend or family member?
The difference is both professional and personal. A Scholar practitioner brings clinical training, evidence-based approaches, and years of specialized experience to your situation — offering perspectives, tools, and insights that even the most caring friend or family member is not equipped to provide. Just as importantly, your sessions are completely confidential. You can speak freely without concern about how it might affect a relationship, be shared with others, or change how someone who loves you sees you. There is also no risk of the dynamic shift that sometimes occurs when a friend or family member becomes your primary emotional support — a shift that can strain even the strongest relationships.
How do I know if I need therapy?
There is no threshold of suffering you must meet before you deserve support. You do not have to be in crisis. You do not need a diagnosis. If something in your life is causing you distress, interfering with your functioning, or preventing you from living the way you want to live — that is enough of a reason to reach out. Many people benefit enormously from therapy during periods of transition, growth, relationship challenges, or simply the everyday weight of a demanding life. The most important question is not whether you need it — it is whether you want more for yourself than what you currently have.
What happens during the first session?
Your first session is an opportunity for us to meet you — to understand who you are, what brings you to Scholar, what you have already tried, and what you are hoping for. It is a conversation, not an interrogation. You set the pace. You decide how much to share and when. Your practitioner will ask thoughtful questions, listen carefully, and begin to develop a sense of what kind of support would be most helpful. By the end of the first session, you will have a clearer picture of what working together could look like — and you will never be pressured to commit to anything before you are ready.
How do I know if Scholar is the right fit for me?
Fit matters enormously in behavioral health care. The quality of the therapeutic relationship is one of the strongest predictors of positive outcomes — and we take that seriously. Scholar offers an introductory consultation specifically so that you can experience what it feels like to work with us before committing to ongoing care. If Scholar is not the right fit, we will tell you honestly — and we will do our best to help you find the right resource. Your well-being matters more to us than our caseload.
Clinical Care & Treatment
How does therapy actually work? What do I have to do in sessions?
Therapy at Scholar is collaborative, individualized, and evidence-based. Because every person’s situation, goals, and history are unique, your care will be tailored specifically to you — not applied from a one-size-fits-all template. Your practitioner will draw from clinically validated approaches that are most appropriate for your specific needs, and you will always be an active participant in shaping the direction of your care. Sessions involve honest conversation, guided reflection, skill-building, and sometimes structured therapeutic exercises — all at a pace that feels right for you.
Should I be in therapy, take medication, or both?
This is a question best answered in conversation with your practitioner and, where relevant, a prescribing medical professional. What we can say is that therapy and medication are not mutually exclusive — and for many conditions, the combination of both produces better outcomes than either alone. Medication addresses the neurochemical dimensions of a condition. Therapy addresses the cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and relational dimensions. At Scholar, we take an integrative, whole-person approach — and we will work collaboratively with any other providers involved in your care.
How long will therapy take?
There is no honest general answer to this question — and we would be doing you a disservice to offer one. The length of treatment depends on what brings you to therapy, your goals, the depth of what you are working through, your engagement between sessions, and many other individual factors. Some people find significant relief and meet their goals in a relatively short period. Others navigate longer, more complex journeys. What we commit to is reviewing your progress regularly, being transparent about what we observe, and always ensuring that your care is moving in a direction that is meaningful to you.
What can I do to get the most out of my sessions?
Your active engagement is the single most important factor in your progress — and the fact that you are asking this question suggests you already have it. The work that happens between sessions matters as much as the sessions themselves. This means practicing the skills your practitioner introduces, reflecting on what comes up in your life between appointments, and bringing those reflections back into the room. Being honest — even when it is uncomfortable — is essential. The more genuine you can be in your sessions, the more your practitioner can meet you where you actually are.
Do you offer telehealth services?
Yes — Scholar offers comprehensive telehealth services across all clinical areas, seven days a week, including evenings and weekends. Sessions are available by video or phone through our fully HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform. For many of our clients, telehealth is not simply a convenience — it is the preferred and most accessible format for their care. Please visit our Telehealth page for full details.
Do you treat children and adolescents?
Yes. Scholar provides specialized clinical care for children, adolescents, and adults across all of our service areas. Our approach to working with younger populations honors the unique developmental, emotional, and social factors that shape how children and adolescents experience and express mental health challenges. We also believe that family is central to a young person’s healing — and we work with families as partners throughout the process.
My partner and I are having problems. Should we come together or separately?
If you are both interested in working with Scholar on your relationship, we would begin by working with you together — assessing the relationship dynamics, identifying goals, and developing a plan of care that honors both of your needs. Individual counseling may be recommended alongside or following couples work depending on what emerges. We will always discuss options with you openly and collaboratively — there is no predetermined path.
Privacy & Confidentiality
Is everything I share completely confidential?
Yes — with very limited and legally defined exceptions. Everything you share with your Scholar practitioner is protected by federal and state privacy laws, including HIPAA, and by the ethical standards of our practitioners’ licensing boards. The limited exceptions include situations where there is a risk of imminent harm to yourself or others, where there is reasonable suspicion of child or elder abuse, or where disclosure is ordered by a court of law. Your practitioner will review these exceptions with you during your first session. Outside of these narrow circumstances, nothing you share leaves the room.
Will my employer, insurance company, or anyone else find out I am receiving care?
If you are receiving care through a private pay arrangement — including all Scholar Concierge and premium programs — no insurance claim is filed and no record of your care is submitted to any third party. If you are using insurance benefits to pay for services, a diagnosis code is typically required for reimbursement — and your insurance company will have access to the fact that you are receiving behavioral health services. Your practitioner will discuss this with you before any insurance billing occurs.
I am a high-profile professional and privacy is essential to me. How does Scholar protect my identity?
Scholar takes the privacy and discretion of every client seriously — and we are particularly attuned to the needs of high-profile individuals, executives, public figures, and professionals for whom confidentiality is not simply a preference but a professional and personal necessity. Our Scholar Concierge program is designed specifically with this in mind — operating on a private pay model with no insurance billing, no third-party records, and a discreetly located office environment. Please visit our Scholar Concierge page for full details on our privacy-forward premium care model.
Rates & Insurance
Please Note: Rates and insurance information below applies to standard clinical services. Premium programs — including Scholar Concierge, The Regulated High Performer™, and Scholar Signature Consulting — operate on a private pay model. Please visit the respective program pages for investment details.
Does Scholar accept insurance?
Yes — Scholar accepts insurance for standard clinical services. We recommend contacting your insurance provider before your first appointment to verify your behavioral health benefits, confirm whether Scholar is in-network, understand your deductible and co-pay responsibilities, and clarify any prior authorization requirements. Our administrative team is available to assist you with any questions about your coverage.
What if I do not have insurance or prefer not to use it?
Private pay is always an option at Scholar — and for many clients it is the preferred choice, particularly those who value maximum privacy and confidentiality. Private pay clients are not required to receive a diagnosis for insurance purposes, and no information about their care is shared with any third party. Please contact us directly to discuss current private pay rates and payment options.
What is a sliding scale fee?
A sliding scale fee is a reduced rate based on financial need. Scholar is committed to making quality behavioral health care accessible to as many people as possible. Please contact us directly to discuss whether sliding scale options may be available for your situation.
How do I make a payment?
Scholar accepts payment through our secure practice management system for standard clinical services. For Scholar Concierge and premium programs, payment is processed securely through Square or Ivy Pay. Payment options include major credit and debit cards. For premium program members, annual contract, month-to-month, and pay-as-you-go arrangements are available. Please visit our Make a Payment page or contact us directly for assistance.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
What is an EAP and how does it work at Scholar?
An Employee Assistance Program is a confidential benefit provided by your employer that gives you free access to professional behavioral health support. Scholar contracts with organizations to provide EAP services to their employees and dependent family members — at no cost to you. When you access Scholar’s EAP services, you will be assigned a dedicated EAP counselor who will provide confidential guidance, short-term counseling, and referrals as needed. Please visit our EAP for Employees page for complete details.
Will my employer know I am using my EAP benefit?
Your use of EAP services is completely confidential. Your employer receives only aggregate, anonymized utilization data — never individual information. Your identity, your reason for reaching out, and everything you share in your sessions is fully protected.
My organization is interested in partnering with Scholar Specialized Treatment Services for EAP services. How do we get started?
We would love to connect. We offer comprehensive, premium EAP services for organizations of every size — from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies — with customized rollout plans, organizational training, and measurable outcomes reporting. Please visit our EAP for Employers page or contact us directly to request a consultation.
Premium Programs & Concierge Services
What makes Scholar Concierge different from standard clinical services?
Scholar Concierge is a white-glove behavioral health experience designed for individuals and families who require the highest level of care, discretion, and personalized attention. It operates on a completely private pay model — no insurance billing, no third-party records. It includes a dedicated clinician, 24/7 access via phone, email, chat, and text, sessions at the location of your choice, and flexible scheduling seven days a week including evenings and weekends. Please visit our Scholar Concierge page for complete details.
What is The Regulated High Performer™?
The Regulated High Performer™ is Scholar’s premium mental health and wellness coaching program — a 12-week, six-month, or fully customized experience designed to help high-achieving professionals regulate stress, quiet mental overload, and lead their lives with clarity rather than pressure. It is built around The RESET Method™ and is available at three tiers — Core, VIP, and Elite. Please visit the program page for complete details and to apply.
Does Scholar offer consulting services for behavioral health organizations?
Yes. Scholar Signature Consulting is a global consulting practice for behavioral health organizations and leaders seeking to strengthen clinical excellence, operational alignment, and sustainable impact. We also offer Corporate Training, Corporate Wellness, and Clinical Supervision services. Please visit our Consulting and Training tabs for complete details, or contact us directly to discuss your organization’s needs.
Appointments & Scheduling
How do I schedule an appointment?
Scheduling at Scholar is designed to be as simple and flexible as possible. You can request an appointment online through our appointment request form, book directly through our online calendar system, call us, text us, or email us. We will respond promptly and work with you to find a time that fits your schedule — including evenings and weekends for telehealth and Concierge clients.
What is your cancellation policy?
We ask that you provide at least 24 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. Late cancellations and no-shows may be subject to a cancellation fee. We understand that life is unpredictable — please reach out as early as possible if you need to make a change and we will do our best to accommodate you.
How quickly can I be seen?
We make every effort to schedule new clients as promptly as possible. Availability varies by service type, clinician, and program. Concierge clients receive priority scheduling and same-day or next-day availability as part of their program. For standard clinical services, please contact us directly to discuss current availability.
Still Have Questions?
We are here to help — and no question is too small or too complicated. If you did not find what you were looking for, please reach out directly. Our team responds promptly and with the same warmth and discretion that defines everything we do at Scholar Specialized Treatment Services, LLC.
The most important question you can ask is the one that helps you take the next step. We are here to answer it.