a marriage and family therapist (MFT) is a mental health professional who is trained to consider how every person is affected by their family, friends, environment, stressors, etc as well the person's effect on the family, friends, environment and more. at cura, we are mostly MFTs who work with individuals, couples and families to help clients thrive within the world.

click here to watch a video from the american association of marriage and family Therapists.

a professional counselor (LPC or APC) examines a person’s psychological and social development and their current functioning, and treatment will focus on helping to improve overall development and wellness (including treatment of mental illness).

an LPC is trained to assist the individual to create healthy coping strategies and be able to successfully function in their daily lives.

50 minutes

finding a therapist can be a challenge but with a little research and care, you can find one who can be a great fit for your needs.

once you have identified a few, check out their web presence for information on their education and method for therapy. then, you’re ready to call for a consult.

pay attention to how the therapist makes you feel when you talk to them. ask questions about how they work with clients as well as their qualifications to work with your concerns.

trust your instincts, then set an appointment.

length of time in therapy is really determined by your goals and the complexities of them. if you are ready to make change that will allow your goals to be attainable.

most sessions are one hour long. there is the opportunity for longer sessions for an additional fee. longer sessions must be approved by your therapist.

a wise and trusted friend can be helpful when crises come about, but there are times when you may feel that you can not share ALL of how you're feeling. a trained professional can be a better option.

at cura, our therapists maintain a nonjudgmental, supportive stance that will allow you to feel comfortable and safe.

when you get emergency care or get treated by an out-of-network provider at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, you are protected from surprise billing or balance billing.

what is “balance billing” (sometimes called “surprise billing”)?

when you see a doctor or other health care provider, you may owe certain out-of-pocket costs, such as a copayment, coinsurance, and/or a deductible. you may have other costs or have to pay the entire bill if you see a provider or visit a health care facility that isn’t in your health plan’s network.

“out-of-network” describes providers and facilities that haven’t signed a contract with your health plan. out-of-network providers may be permitted to bill you for the difference between what your plan agreed to pay and the full amount charged for a service. this is called “balance billing.” this amount is likely more than in-network costs for the same service and might not count toward your annual out-of-pocket limit.

“surprise billing” is an unexpected balance bill. this can happen when you can’t control who is involved in your care - like when you have an emergency or when you schedule a visit at an in-network facility but are unexpectedly treated by an out-of-network provider.

you are protected from balance billing for:

emergency services

if you have an emergency medical condition and get emergency services from an out-of-network provider or facility, the most the provider or facility may bill you is your plan’s in-network cost-sharing amount (such as copayments and coinsurance). you can’t be balance billed for these emergency services. this includes services you may get after you’re in stable condition, unless you give written consent and give up your protections not to be balanced billed for these post-stabilization services.

certain services at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center

when you get services from an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, certain providers there may be out-of-network. in these cases, the most those providers may bill you is your plan’s in-network cost-sharing amount. this applies to emergency medicine, anesthesia, pathology, radiology, laboratory, neonatology, assistant surgeon, hospitalist, or intensivist services. these providers can’t balance bill you and may not ask you to give up your protections not to be balance billed.

if you get other services at these in-network facilities, out-of-network providers can’t balance bill you unless you give written consent and give up your protections.

you’re never required to give up your protection from balance billing. you also aren’t required to get care out-of-network. you can choose a provider or facility in your plan’s network.

when balance billing isn’t allowed, you also have the following protections:

you are only responsible for paying your share of the cost (like the copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles that you would pay if the provider or facility was in-network). your health plan will pay out-of-network providers and facilities directly.

your health plan generally must:

cover emergency services without requiring you to get approval for services in advance (prior authorization).

cover emergency services by out-of-network providers.

base what you owe the provider or facility (cost-sharing) on what it would pay an in-network provider or facility and show that amount in your explanation of benefits.

count any amount you pay for emergency services or out-of-network services toward your deductible and out-of-pocket limit.

if you believe you’ve been wrongly billed, you may contact: the Georgia Secretary of State.

(404) 656-2817

soscontact@sos.ga.gov. (https://georgia.gov/contacts/secretary-state-contact)

more information here:

https://www.cms.gov/files/document/model-disclosure-notice-patient-pro

we are not in-network with any insurance panels. however, if you have out-of-network benefits, you may be reimbursed a portion of the fee by submitting a “superbill” (a fancy receipt that contains required insurance information). please check with your plan provider about the reimbursement rate for the type of counseling in which you are engaging (couples/family, individual, group).

please note that some insurance companies do not provide coverage for family or couples counseling. those that do will not cover the relationship as the client; therefore, one person will need to be identified as the client with a diagnosis.

also, please be aware that any insurance forms submitted will include diagnosis and procedure codes. these will be on record with the insurance company, and you should factor that into your decision on whether to file for out-of-network reimbursement.