While there are no guarantees in therapy, several factors can contribute to its effectiveness. One important factor is the quality of the therapeutic relationship between you and your therapist. Feeling heard, understood, and supported by your therapist can significantly impact the outcome of therapy. Additionally, your commitment and motivation to actively engage in the therapeutic process, along with your therapist's competence and expertise in addressing your specific concerns, can influence therapy's effectiveness. Setting clear goals, being open and honest in your communication, and being consistent and persistent in attending sessions and implementing therapeutic strategies can also increase the likelihood of therapy being successful. Ultimately, therapy is a collaborative effort, and working closely with your therapist to address your needs and goals can help you determine whether therapy is working for you.

In my practice, I integrate a range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual or couple. This includes Somatic and Narrative therapies for trauma processing, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) to address cognitive distortions related to trauma and PTSD, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify and modify unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and also draw on ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) and IFS (Internal Family Systems) as well. By drawing from these approaches, I aim to provide comprehensive and effective support to help clients navigate their challenges and achieve meaningful growth and healing.

Deciding if therapy is right for you involves reflecting on your current challenges, goals, and readiness for change. If you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck in patterns that aren't serving you, or facing difficult emotions, therapy can provide a supportive space to explore these issues and develop coping strategies. Additionally, if you're seeking personal growth, deeper self-understanding, or improved relationships, therapy can offer valuable insights and tools to help you achieve your goals. Ultimately, therapy is a personal decision, and it's important to consider your own needs, preferences, and comfort level in exploring therapy as a potential avenue for healing and growth. If you're uncertain, reaching out to a therapist for a consultation can help you determine whether therapy is the right path for you.

I offer telehealth options to accommodate the needs and preferences of my clients. Virtual sessions are convenient and flexible, and I am committed to providing effective and accessible therapy services tailored to your individual needs.

My therapy sessions are priced at $125 per session.

This fee includes a comprehensive assessment, personalized treatment planning, and individualized therapy sessions tailored to your needs.

As an out-of-network provider, I can provide you with a superbill that includes all the necessary information for you to submit for reimbursement from your insurance company at the out-of-network rate. This allows you to access the care you need while maximizing your insurance benefits.

If you have any questions or need assistance with insurance reimbursement, please don't hesitate to ask. Your financial well-being is important to me, and I'm here to support you every step of the way.

Yes, I take various insurances depending on the state. My private pay rate is $125 per 50-minute session. See below for insurances I accept:

North Carolina-Insurances Accepted

Oscar (Optum)

United Healthcare (Optum)

Oxford (Optum)

Aetna

Carelon Behavioral Health

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Medicare Advantage

Cigna

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts

Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina

Ohio Clients-Insurances Accepted:

Anthem EAP – Bank of America

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Ohio

Aetna

Carelon Behavioral Health

Quest Behavioral Health

Cigna

Pennsylvania Clients-Insurances Accepted:

Oscar (Optum)

United Healthcare (Optum)

Oxford (Optum)

Aetna

Carelon Behavioral Health

Cigna

Capital Blue Cross Pennsylvania

If you have any further questions or concerns about insurance coverage, please feel free to discuss them with me.

The free 15-minute consultation is an opportunity for us to determine whether we’re a good fit and to answer any questions you may have about the therapy process.

During our conversation, I’ll start by briefly introducing myself and my approach to therapy. Then, I’ll invite you to share a little about what’s bringing you to therapy—this might include any symptoms you’re experiencing, challenges you’re facing, or goals you’d like to work toward. There’s no need to go into great detail at this stage—just a general sense of what’s going on will help me understand how I can best support you.

We’ll also discuss the logistics of therapy, such as session frequency, fees, and payment options. If you have any questions about how therapy works, what to expect, or whether my approach aligns with your needs, this is a great time to ask.

The main goal of this consultation is to ensure that you feel comfortable and confident moving forward. If we decide to work together, we can schedule your first full session. If it seems like another therapist might be a better fit for your needs, I’m happy to provide referrals.

This is a no-pressure conversation—just a chance for us to connect and see if we’re a good match. Let me know if you’d like to schedule a time!

Your first session is an opportunity for us to begin building a strong therapeutic relationship and to gather important information about your background, current concerns, and goals for therapy. We'll start by discussing the reasons you're seeking therapy and what you hope to achieve. I'll also ask questions to get to know you better and to understand your unique experiences and perspectives. Additionally, we'll discuss confidentiality and the therapeutic process, and I'll answer any questions you may have. The first session is a collaborative process, and my goal is to create a safe and supportive space where you feel comfortable sharing and exploring your thoughts and feelings. If you have any specific preferences or concerns about the first session, please feel free to let me know.

How often we meet will depend on your individual needs, goals, and the nature of the issues we're working on together. In the beginning stages of therapy, we typically meet weekly to establish momentum and delve deeper into the therapeutic process. As therapy progresses and you begin to make progress towards your goals, we may adjust the frequency of sessions to bi-weekly or monthly. Ultimately, the frequency of sessions will be determined collaboratively, taking into account your progress, preferences, and availability. I believe in flexible scheduling to accommodate your needs and to ensure that therapy remains a supportive and manageable part of your life. We can discuss and adjust the frequency of sessions as needed throughout our work together.our answer here.

This Good Faith Estimate shows the costs of services that are reasonably expected for the expected services to address your mental health care needs. The estimate is based on the information known to me when I did the estimate.

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 $400 more (per provider) than this Good Faith Estimate (GFE), you have the right to dispute the bill. You may contact me at (724) 704-0664 or lesleybittner.com to let me know the billed charges are at least $400 higher than the GFE. You can ask to update the bill to match the GFE, 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 on 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 this GFE. 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 CMS at 1-800-985-3059.

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate or the dispute process, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call CMS at 1-800-985-3059 .

This GFE is not a contract. It does not obligate you to accept the services listed above.

Keep a copy of this Good Faith Estimate (GFE) in a safe place or take pictures of it. You may need it if you are billed more than $400 than the estimate provided above.