Frequently Asked Questions

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Therapy is a space for anyone seeking support, personal growth, or guidance in overcoming challenges. Whether you’re dealing with stress, anxiety, trauma, or relationship issues, therapy can provide tools to navigate life more effectively.

Schedule a 15 minute consultation here today. You can schedule an appointment by emailing us or using the contact form on our website. We’re here to support you at every step.

We ask that you provide at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment. Late cancellations or no-shows will incur a fee.

At First Thought Therapy, we take your privacy seriously. All information shared in therapy sessions is confidential and will not be shared with anyone without your explicit consent. 

Limits of Confidentiality
Therapy sessions are confidential, meaning what you share stays private. However, there are legal exceptions:

1. Harm Risk: If you’re at risk of harming yourself or others, your therapist must act to ensure safety.
2. Abuse Reporting: Therapists must report suspected abuse or neglect of children, elders, or vulnerable adults.
3. Court Orders: If required by a court, therapists may have to release records or provide testimony.

These exceptions are to protect you and others. Your therapist will clarify confidentiality and its limits in your first session.

Your first session is a time to share your concerns and goals with your therapist. We’ll gather background information, discuss what brought you to therapy, and start building a collaborative plan for addressing your needs.

The length of therapy varies depending on individual goals and circumstances. Some clients achieve their objectives in a few months, while others may benefit from longer-term support. We’ll work together to determine what’s best for you.

We provide therapy for clients located in Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Massachusetts, and Colorado. Additionally we offer court services for clients in Maryland, and the greater tri-state area.

We are currently in-network with several major insurance providers in MD, PA, NJ, VA, MA, and CO, including but not limited to:

• CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield in Maryland
• Carelon Behavioral Health in Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Colorado
• Cigna in Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Colorado
• Capital Blue Cross Pennsylvania in Pennsylvania
• Quest Behavioral Health in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Colorado
• Aetna in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Colorado
• Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Colorado in Colorado

We provide home studies, therapeutic visitation, and parenting coordination services, child access mediation for court-involved families. Services are tailored to the needs of the family and the requirements outlined in the court order or referral.

Referrals may come from attorneys, courts, guardians ad litem, parents, caregivers, or other involved professionals however court order needed in order to provide services unless both parties are voluntarily participating.

No. Court-related services are not confidential in the same way as traditional therapy. Information may be shared with the court, attorneys, guardians ad litem, or other authorized parties as required by the referral or court order.

Fees vary depending on the type of service, level of involvement, travel, documentation, and court requirements. General service rates are listed below:

• Home Studies: Starting at $300 
• Therapeutic Visitation: $200/hour 
• Parenting Coordination: $200/hour
• Mediation: $200/hour
• Court Testimony/Appearances: $200/hour*
• Travel Time: $75–$125/hour

Court services are paid out of pocket, and not covered by insurance.

*Payment for court attendance is due on the date of the scheduled hearing and is required regardless of whether testimony is ultimately provided, including instances of delay, cancellation, or not being called to testify.