Frequently Asked Questions
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Most sessions are 50 minutes long, though I offer 80-minute sessions upon request. I recommend weekly sessions, as it is better to meet frequently in order to build a strong relationship between clinician and client, but other session frequencies (eg. every other week) are available as well.
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The modalities I use most frequently are Internal Family Systems (IFS), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness, and Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB).
This is a therapy based on the premise that all people have multiple, sometimes conflicting, internal parts.
These parts all want to protect you, even when they cause distress. There are no bad parts.
We all also have a Self: a part that can (and should) lead the other parts, taking into account the needs of the whole system.
The goal of this therapy modality is to increase harmony among parts and to encourage your Self to lead your internal family.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
This modality focuses on using the innate healing capacity of the brain to reprocess memories that cause distress.
It involves the client briefly revisiting distressing memories while watching a clinician move their finger side to side.
This movement helps to keep clients in the present and allows them to experience a different relationship to their distressing memory, resulting in the memory being processed into something more adaptive.
For a more detailed introduction, click here. (Link opens a video).
Mindfulness is the practice of observing ones own thoughts and internal reactions as they occur in the present. It is derived from Hindu and Buddhist traditions, and has been adapted by Western mental health professionals into several different modalities.
Some common Mindfulness practices are meditation, breathing exercises, and guided imagery.
Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB)
The basic premise of Interpersonal Neurobiology is that human functioning is a product of our body, mind, and interpersonal relationships.
IPNB is influenced greatly by attachment theory.
The goal of the therapy is to integrate the mind, body, and relationships with other people in order to create a felt sense of safety within ourselves and in our relationships with others.
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EMDR
EMDR Basic Training Part 1 & 2, Dr. Christie Sprowls, PsyD, November 10-12, 2023 and January 26-28, 2024
Consultation in pursuit of certification with Christine Molina, LCSW, beginning in May 2024 (ongoing)
Trauma
An Introduction to NARM: The NeuroAffective Relational Model for Transforming Complex Trauma, Brad Kammer, LMFT, LPCC, January 19, 2024
Interpersonal Neurobiology Special Interest Group, Kim Schaefer, LPC, SEP, September - November 2023
A School of Unlearning: A Therapist’s Guide to Memory Reconsolidation, Grief, and Healing, Juliane Taylor Shore, LPC-S, LMFT-S, May 12, 2023
Journey into Internal Family Systems (IFS): A Deeper Dive, Jen Braafladt, MA, LPC, on May 10, 2024
Memory Reconsolidation, Juliane Taylor Shore, LPC-S, LMFT-S, October 15, 2021
Internal Family Systems 101, Michelle Hawn, LPC-S, September 10, 2021
Identity
Trans Advocacy: Writing Letters for Gender-Affirming Care, Candice Holloway, LPC-S, January 25, 2024
Gender Fragility and the Gender Affirmative Model: A New Framework to Conceptualize Working with Gender, Noah Garcia, MA, LPC-S, NCC, March 19, 2023
Gender and Sexuality: A Review and Putting it Into Practice, JP Cardenas, LPC-A, June 10, 2022
Engage: Strategies to Engage Culture and Identity in a Clinical Setting, Marlon Johnson, PhD, LPC-MHSP, NCC, November 5, 2021
Kink, BDSM, and Poly/Open Relationships, Adam MacDonald, LCSW, August 31, 2021
ADHD
Identifying and Treating the 1 in 5 Students with ADHD and Learning Disabilities Who Are Returning to School Misdiagnosed and Misunderstood, Lynne Kenney, PsyD, July 27, 2022
Adult ADHD: Targeting Executive Skills to Manage ADHD in Adults, Kevin Blake, PhD, PLC, ADHD-CCSP, July 8, 2022
ADHD, Relationships, and Sex: Strategies to Overcome the Over/Under-Functioner Dynamic, Ari Tuckman, PsyD, CST, July 2, 2022
Russell Barkely, PhD on ADHD in Children and Adolescents: Advances in Diagnosis, Treatment and Management, Russell A. Barkley, PhD, June 25, 2022
Rethinking ADHD: A New Treatment Approach, Edward Hallowell, MD, John J Ratey, MD, June 21, 2022
Autism
Alternatives to ABA, AuSome Training, November 18, 2022
The Changing Tides of Autism, M.Scott Allen, PsyD, November 11, 2022
Social Justice
Palestinian Liberation: Lessons in Solidarity for Mental Health Professionals, Institute for the Development of Human Arts, December 11, 2023
The Counseling Advocate: A Model for Therapeutic Alliance Through the Counselor-Advocate-Scholar Model, Marlon Johnson, PhD, LPC-MHSP, NCC, October 7, 2022
Preparing the Conversation: Identifying Biases and Practicing Cultural Humility, Marlon Johnson, PhD, LPC-MHSP, NCC, October 1, 2021
Other
Depersonalization: A Deeper Look at a Misunderstood Phenomenon, Julia Shirar, LPC-A, July 15, 2022
Psychopharmacology: Essential Updates for Mental Health Professionals, Kenneth Carter, PhD, ABPP, June 28, 2022
A Brief Introduction to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Jonathan McNutt, LPC, May 20, 2022
An Updated Model to Understand and Treat Addiction, Daniel Hochman, M.D., January 14, 2022
Eating Disorders 101, DeLinda Spain, LCSW, CGP, CEDS, December 10, 2021
Modern Attachment Theory in Clinical Practice, Christine Winston, LCSW-S, October 8, 2021
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I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and have been practicing as a therapist since August 2021. I received both my Bachelor of Psychology and Master of Social Work degrees from UT Austin.
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Find a clinician you are interested in potentially working with.
(Some good places to look are Psychology Today and Inclusive Therapists).
Contact the clinician by phone or email to ask for a consultation to see if they are a good fit for what you need. This should be free.
(I offer free 15 minute consultations by phone or Telehealth).
If the clinician feels like a good fit for you, talk with the clinician about how often you will meet and at what price point.
Once you have agreed on these factors, the clinician will send you paperwork, usually at minimum a client services contract and a policies notice.
(I send my clients paperwork through the secure software Simple Practice).
Signing a client contract does not mean that you are committed to staying with the therapist for any specific length of time, unless you are receiving court-ordered treatment.
You always have the right to decide that a therapist is not a good fit for you, and to find a therapist who will better meet your needs.
Attend your first session!
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I use Simple Practice, which is an Electronic Health Record software that includes a Telehealth platform.
Approximately 48 hours before a scheduled session, you will receive an email from Simple Practice with a link to our session.
If you are using a desktop computer for our sessions, all you need to do is click the link. If you are using a tablet or mobile phone, you may need to download the Simple Practice app from your app store in order to join the session.
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I do not accept insurance at this time, but I am able to provide a superbill for clients who would like to pursue reimbursement through their insurance carrier. If you are unsure if your insurance offers reimbursement, please see the FAQ section titled “How do out of network benefits work?”
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Some insurance plans offer out-of-network benefits, which are benefits that allow clients to receive reimbursement for services from providers that do not accept their insurance.
If your insurance plan offers out-of-network benefits, you can send monthly receipts for therapy services (called superbills) to your insurance company and be reimbursed a certain percent of your therapy cost.
Here are some questions to ask your insurance provider to determine if you can get reimbursed for therapy sessions:
Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits?
What is my reimbursement percentage?
Does my plan require a diagnosis for reimbursement?
Is there a deductible (and where can I track whether it has been met)?
Where do I submit my out-of-network superbill?
Complaints & Disputes
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You have a right to have your complaints heard and resolved in a timely manner. If we cannot work things out to your satisfaction, you may file a complaint with our licensing board:
Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council
1801 Congress Avenue, Suite 7.300
Austin, TX 78701
Telephone: 1-800-821-3205
Link to Complaint Form: http://www.bhec.texas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/BHEC-Complaint-Form.pdfIf you have a complaint concerning the HIPAA Privacy Regulations, you may contact the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, at: OCRMail@hhs.gov.
If you believe that you have a Consumer Complaint regarding the privacy and security of your health information, you may contact the Texas Office of the Attorney General and file a consumer complaint by clicking this link:
https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection/health-care/patient-privacy -
Transparency in fees and charges is an important part of the therapeutic relationship. In accordance with the No Surprise Act, Madeleine Brunk, LCSW, provides Good Faith Estimates to all clients. The Good Faith Estimate shows the cost 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 might 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. Ultimately, this clinician prioritizes working with clients and/ or their families to create a treatment plan that meets the client's emotional needs with clear communication about treatment costs. Frequency and duration of sessions are an ongoing and open conversation.
If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. You may contact the health care provider or facility 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). If you choose to use the dispute resolution process, you must start the dispute process within 120 calendar days (about 4 months) of the date of the original bill.
There is a $25 fee to use the dispute process. If the agency reviewing your dispute agrees with you, you will have to pay the price on the Good Faith Estimate. If the agency disagrees with you and agrees with the health care provider or facility, you will have to pay the higher amount.
To learn more and get a form to start the process, go to www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call HHS at (800) 368-1019.
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.
Keep a copy of the Good Faith Estimate in a safe place or take a picture of it. You may need it if you are billed a higher amount.
Crisis Resources
The following information is sourced from the crisis resource list provided by Inclusive Therapists. For community-based alternatives to police in your city, visit: Don't Call the Police
Before calling 911: If you or someone you know is in immediate, life-threatening danger and decide to call 911, please be aware that police are not equipped to offer mental health support and may even pose danger to People of Color, Neurodivergent people and Disabled people. Please reach out to community leaders, neighbors, friends, and family to be present if you are calling the police.
Ask trusted loved ones for support: In addition to calling crisis services, we warmly encourage you to let your trusted loved ones know that you are struggling. Ask them to stay with you and to make a plan together. You don't have to face this alone. If you do not want police or hospital intervention, please be sure to communicate this clearly.
Remove weapons: If there are weapons such as guns nearby, please lock them away or ask a trusted person to remove them immediately. This can help reduce the risk of harm to yourself or others.
Safety Recommendations from Inclusive Therapists
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The following resources may be mandated to report calls regarding suicide to the police. Please use these resources below with discretion:
Integral Care’s 24/7 Crisis Hotline: (512) 472 - 4357
Integral Care’s Psychiatric Emergency Services: walk-in clinic
Address: Richard E. Hopkins Behavioral Health Building, 1165 Airport Blvd., Second Floor, Austin TX 78701
Hours
Monday - Friday: 8am - 8pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10am - 3pm
Holidays: 10am - 8pm
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The following resources may be mandated to report calls regarding suicide to the police. Please use these resources below with discretion:
Trevor Hotline
866-488-7386
Text "START" to 678678
Trevor Hotline for LGBTQ+ youth
NAMI Helpline 24/7
Text "NAMI" TO 741741
NAMI Helpline to talk to a trained crisis counselor 24/7
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
(800) 273-8255
(800) 799-4889 Deaf or hard of hearing
(800) 273-8255 Video relay service and voice/ caption
(888) 628-9454 Red de prevención de suicidio en Español
Crisis Resources by Location
General Resources
TBD :)
If you are having issues accessing any part of this site, please email me at maddie@madeleinebrunkcounseling.com