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Practices & Procedures


To make the best use of our time together, please complete the paperwork for new clients ahead of time, and put together a list of any questions you have, so that we make sure to address them during our session. Then, just take a big breath and relax.
The first appointment is an opportunity for you and your counselor to meet each other and for you to ask any questions you have about the therapeutic process. Sessions are typically 50 minutes to 1 hour in length. My goal will be to get to know you and to learn about your story. I will be asking you a lot of questions (Why are you seeking counseling now? What are you hoping to change?) as well as answering whatever questions you have. Your job will be to tell your story as openly as you can and to decide if I am a good fit for you. We will finish by discussing whether we want to work together, and if so, we will schedule a second appointment that is convenient for you and discuss therapy goals.
Fit is really important and not every counselor-client combination is right. If we are not a good fit, I will not take it personally, and I will do everything I can to help you find a counselor who is a better match for you.
The counselors at Northshore Family Counseling (NFC) are warm, relatable, and approachable. We will take time to understand where you have been, what has and has not worked for you in the past, and how these things affect you now. We believe that your history is important only to the extent that it impacts your choices today. Ultimately, we are focused on your possibilities – possibilities for healing, possibilities for growth, possibilities for change, possibilities for learning, possibilities for insight, and possibilities for understanding.
After the first appointment, we will both have a better understanding of what paths to go down, so we will begin to have more focused conversations specifically addressing those areas of most importance to you. I encourage clients to learn all that they can about the areas that we are working on. Often your counselor will recommend books, films, or articles to support you in your learning.
The answer is different for every client so we will decide together what makes sense to you. We may meet every week, every other week, or once a month. And, we may meet for a few weeks, a few months, or longer, depending upon your needs. Some clients even schedule “tune ups” once a year just to stay focused on their progress.
Payment by cash, check, or credit card is due at the beginning of each session. All fees and charges will be as published in the current fee schedule, unless the counselor and client have made other arrangements. For more information about the current fee schedule, please call our office. We will be happy to assist you.
We accept most insurance plans. Every effort will be made to work with your insurance company to ensure timely filing and payment. We will contact your insurance company and determine coverage, benefits, deductible, co-pay and authorization. Clients are responsible for fees if their insurance denies benefits.
If you are interested in viewing our privacy practices, please click on the following link.

Rates & Insurance

Accepted Insurance(s)

Aetna • Beacon Health (Value Options) • Blue Cross Blue Shield • Gilsbar, Inc
GEHA • Humana • Optum • Tricare • UMR • United Healthcare


Counseling Rates
Our rate for a 53-minute (Individual, Couples, or Family) counseling session ranges from $45 to $160. Payments are made at the time of service and can be made with cash, check, debit card, or credit card.
** Counseling rates are based on clinician experience. For more information, please contact us at 985-661-0560 to discuss rates and payment options.
Cancellation Policy

Less than 24-hour notice will result in a charge equal to 50% of the counselor’s cash fee rate. "No shows" will be charged 100% of the counselor’s cash fee rate.

PLPC Supervision

Individual and Group Supervision rates are $125 per clinical hour. For more information, please contact Ilsa Araki.


Additional Information


About Insurance Coverage

Psychotherapy services may be covered in full or partially by your health insurance plan. We accept many major insurance plans as described above. Covered services and cost-sharing (including copays, coinsurance, and deductibles) vary by plan.

If Northshore Family Counseling, LLC is a network provider for your plan, we will provide an estimate of your costs for intended services, based on your plan's coverage, when you schedule your appointment. However, please be aware that plans do not guarantee those benefits until claims are submitted and processed.

If Northshore Family Counseling, LLC is not a network provider for your plan, but your plan offers an out-of-network benefit, your plan may still cover a portion of the costs for services we provide, or your plan may require you to pay the total cost of services upfront but provide you with partial reimbursement. We will provide an estimate of your costs for intended services, based on your plan's coverage, when you schedule your appointment.

Good Faith Estimate

The Good Faith Estimate shows the costs of items and services that are reasonably expected for your health care needs for an item or service. The estimate is based on information known at the time the estimate was created.

The Good Faith Estimate does not include any unknown or unexpected costs that may arise during treatment. You could be charged more if complications or special circumstances occur. If this happens, federal law allows you to dispute (appeal) the bill.

If you are billed for more than the Good Faith Estimate, you have the right to dispute the bill. You may contact the health care provider or facility listed to let them know the billed charges are higher than the Good Faith Estimate. You can ask them to update the bill to match the Good Faith Estimate, ask to negotiate the bill or ask if there is financial assistance available. You may also start a dispute resolution process with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate or the dispute process, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call (800) 368-1019.