FAQs+Good Faith Estimate

Who’s in Charge?

I believe that you are the expert on YOU and that I am just here to guide you on your path. Counseling is support for your own self-growth, but your work in and out of our sessions will be required. I will actively walk by your side and advocate for you as you begin to feel changes in perceptions, emotions, and other “hard work” feelings. Remember, it is this hard work—some may that come rapidly and some only after repeated efforts—that helps build your own toolkit towards wellness in your life.

Where do you keep my records?

Your records are stored in a HIPPA-compliant system and we work to ensure privacy during sessions—please note that if you are being seen via telehealth we cannot ensure privacy on your end and encourage you to create a safe space before the start of the session (car therapy is ok!). See the specific telehealth waiver for more details. If I am incapacitated and unable to continue services, your records will be archived by a colleague of my designation, at this time it is my supervisor, Vicki Williams-Patterson.

How do you keep my records confidential?

I am bound by federal law, known as HIPPA, regarding your records. As the client you have the right to view your file or to direct me to release your file to someone else. In either case a written request must be submitted to me. I will discuss any release with you ahead of time and determine the best method of production when deemed necessary or required by law.

Office Hours

We work in blocks of time and may have days where we am unavailable. If you need after hours assistance for a life-threatening emergency, please call 988 for immediate help or search the directory at SACRD.org, a local listing of helping agencies in the San Antonio area.

Fee Scale + Payments

My hourly rate is $110 and $160 for 90-minute sessions which can be useful for intake, intensives, or couples work.
NOTE: Alexis offers limited pro bono spots throughout the year – if you would like to see if a pro bono spot open, please ask any time during our time together. If you use a pro-bono spot and your finances improve, we ask that you honor this space and move to a full-pay client to make room for another client with financial challenges.

Insurance Payments

At this time I am not accepting insurance payments but will provide you with a super bill that allows you to POSSIBLY seek reimbursement from your insurance company. Please review all out-of-network policies for your insurance as I am not registered with any panels of insurance and am not a fully licensed LPC.

What are the risks of therapy?

Risks with counseling include experiencing “hard work” feelings such as: shame, guilt, anxiety, anger, sadness, and grief. The benefit of feeling these feelings is that you may gain insights into patterns and problems that get in the way of thriving in your current life.

The circumstances that lead someone to seek counseling can vary. Some come with a clear goal, while others just feel a general sense of dissatisfaction. My role as your counselor is to help you explore and evaluate your situation. This will involve looking at your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. At any point, you can bring up any concerns about starting, continuing, or stopping counseling.

Counseling is a chance for personal growth and may lead to major changes in how you see things, make decisions, and handle relationships. These changes could affect your family, job, or self-understanding. The people in your life might react to these changes, and some of them could be difficult at first. You may also discover things that are hard to process. While positive results are expected, there are no guarantees. In some cases, things might feel worse before they get better. We’ll work together to make progress, and you can expect a respectful and supportive environment at all times.

When will it end?

Hopefully at a mutually agreed upon point when we both sense that you are feeling prepared to deal with existing and new life challenges. However, you always have the right to end your counseling relationship with me at any time. Returning for periodic “check-ups” are also welcomed and encouraged (and are never a sign of weakness but rather a way to do a self-care check-up).

What if I see my counselor IRL?

To the full legal extent possible (always be aware some records are subject to be produced by court orders and I am a mandatory reporter regarding self-harm, harm to others or abuse*), I will keep the information shared in our sessions private. Further, we must both work to make sure our relationship remains professional instead of personal. To place consistent boundaries, Texas regulations prohibit clients and counselors from dual relationships and personal contact such as social media and private event invitations. If we are in the same grocery store or at a public event, it is okay to acknowledge me and say “hi,” but I will always leave that choice open to you.
* abuse may include but is not limited to child sexual and /or physical abuse and/or neglect, abuse of the elderly or handicapped, or a sexual relationship with another therapist or counselor.