Starting Therapy in Michigan: A Practical Guide to Cost, Telehealth, and Your First Appointment
By Forest Ferns Counseling
Most people who reach out to us have been thinking about it for a while. What finally stops them isn’t the therapy. It’s the logistics: which clinician takes my plan, do I have to call, how much do I say in a first message. This is the plain-language version of all of that, written by the people who answer the text line.
Send a short first message
You do not have to write your life story. Something like this is enough: “I’m looking for help with anxiety and a recent life change. I prefer video, I’m free Tuesday afternoons or Friday mornings, I have Aetna, and I’d rather schedule by text.” No diagnosis required. We’ll ask for what we need.
Keep that first message to scheduling and matching. Don’t send a trauma history or medical records over text or social media; we’ll give you a secure intake for anything detailed. Use the Get Started page or text (810) 394-8921, and tell us if you have a preferred clinician, want in-person, or have communication preferences that affect the match — ASL, written-only, a slower pace.
Insurance, in plain language
All our clinicians accept BCBS, Aetna and Priority Health. Blue Care Network appointments are available only with fully licensed clinicians. The catch at any group practice: insurers credential each clinician separately, so the question to ask is whether your clinician takes your exact plan, not whether the practice does. We’ll tell you up front.
Three words worth knowing. A copay is a fixed amount per visit. A deductible is what you pay toward covered care before benefits kick in. Coinsurance is a percentage of the covered cost. Your plan may use more than one. Ask your insurer how outpatient therapy visits are handled, whether you need a referral or authorization, and whether telehealth has any extra requirements, and keep their answers: a benefit check is an estimate, and the insurer has the last word on what gets paid. Our Insurance & Fees page has the rest.
If you’re paying privately
Ask for the rate for your clinician and session type, how payment works, and the cancellation policy. It’s fine to ask what a typical month would cost at the frequency you’re discussing; that’s planning, not a commitment. If you’re not using insurance, you can request a Good Faith Estimate of expected charges before your first session (CMS explains your rights). If you plan to use out-of-network benefits, we’ll give you a superbill; just check with your insurer first about whether, and how much, they reimburse.
Video or in person
Telehealth means no drive to an office. In-person suits some people and some situations better. Think about where you can speak privately, how reliable your internet is, what communication setup you need, and whether travel is a barrier.
For video, tell your therapist where you’ll physically be during the session, and check before the appointment if you’ll be traveling. Your location affects whether we can legally provide care, and you can’t assume a session can happen from any state. We offer telehealth across Michigan and in-person sessions in Ypsilanti with select clinicians; ask about your clinician’s format rather than assuming every option exists with every provider.
A few questions for the first appointment
Bring notes if it helps, but don’t turn prep into homework. Write down what prompted you to reach out, what you hope will change, and anything you don’t want to forget. NIMH suggests asking about experience, approach, expected length of treatment, insurance, and cost. You can also ask how goals get set, what confidentiality covers and where it stops, how to reach your clinician between sessions, and what to do if you need urgent help. If a form or an explanation is unclear, say so. If an access need matters to the session, raise it beforehand when you can.
And you’re allowed to say “this is hard to talk about” or “I need help figuring out where to start.” Nobody arrives with a polished account of everything that’s happened.
Set up the video call without chasing perfection
Test the link and your device ahead of time. Find the most private spot you have, use headphones if that helps, and ask what to do if the connection drops. If you sign, make sure your face and hands are clearly in frame. If home doesn’t offer a usable private space, tell your clinician before the visit. For in-person, confirm the address, arrival instructions, and any access needs, and leave time for the intake steps.
Explore a few possible matches
For chronic illness, medical trauma or caregiver stress, explore Sarah Shields. For complex trauma, PTSD and dissociation, explore Cynthia Schiffman-Szegda. For grief, cancer-related stress, military concerns or family relationships, explore Jessa Brown. These clinicians offer Michigan telehealth and accept BCBS, Aetna and Priority Health. Ask us to confirm your exact plan and current openings.
Your next step: Get Started, read Insurance & Fees, or text (810) 394-8921. A short message is enough. We’ll handle the practical steps from there and tell you promptly whether we have a match.
Sources and further reading: NIMH: Help for Mental Illnesses; HHS: Why use telehealth?; CMS: Know your rights when not using insurance.
This article is general information. Our text line and inquiry form are not crisis services. For crisis support, call or text 988. For immediate danger or a medical emergency, call 911.
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