Frequently Asked Questions

Therapy & Insurance

Yes. We accept
Aetna,
Aetna State Health Plan,
BCBS,
Cigna/Evernorth,
GEHA,
Healthgram,
Medcost,
Optum,
United Healthcare.

We do not accept Medicaid or Medicare.

No. All appointments are in-person only.

Private pay sessions are $150 per session.

No. Progressing through Therapy does not accept Medicaid or Medicare.

FMLA paperwork is only completed after a client has attended consistent therapy sessions for a minimum of 12 months or 48 sessions.

Completion of paperwork is based on clinical appropriateness and is not guaranteed.

No. Progressing through Therapy, PLLC does not complete paperwork, evaluations, or assessments for Emotional Support Animals (ESA).

Step 1: Insurance Verification

If you plan to use insurance, we verify your health insurance coverage.

Step 2: Availability + Cost

We contact you by email, text, or phone with available appointment times and any applicable insurance costs.

Step 3: Intake Forms

If you would like to move forward, we send a secure link to complete intake paperwork.

Step 4: Appointment Scheduling

Once completed paperwork is received, your information is entered into our HIPAA-compliant system and your appointment is scheduled.

Appointments are not secured until intake paperwork is completed.

Step 5: Appointment Reminders

Text reminders are sent 48–72 hours before your appointment.

Appointments must be confirmed by Friday at 6:00 PM or they will be canceled.

Step 6: Your First Session

We are located at 418 S. Eugene Court, Greensboro, NC.

All sessions are in-person.

Your first appointment is a full clinical session (53 minutes).

A quote of benefits and/or authorization does not guarantee payment or verify eligibility.

Payment of benefits is subject to all terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions of the member’s insurance contract at the time of service.

Policy effective dates do not guarantee continued coverage. Members may terminate coverage at any time.

Benefits shown are only a summary and do not guarantee claim payment.

Out-of-pocket costs may include copay, deductible, and coinsurance.

We do not double-book appointments.

Your 53-minute appointment time is reserved exclusively for you.

A $125 No Call No Show (NCNS) fee will be assessed for:

  • failing to attend a confirmed appointment
  • arriving 17 minutes or more late
  • canceling with less than 24 hours notice

Late cancellations prevent us from serving another client during that reserved time.

Events

No.

These events are reflective wellness experiences and are not considered therapy sessions as we do not assign diagnoses for events, groups, or intensives.

No.

Insurance is not accepted because diagnostic codes are not assigned for these events.

Depends on the group, however each event you are asked to bring: 

  • an open mind
  • willingness
  • vulnerability
  • readiness for reflection

No.

All events are non-transferable and non-refundable. Refunds will only be issued if the event does not meet the minimum number of participants required to hold the event.

Mental Health Diagnosis

A mental health diagnosis is a clinical assessment used to identify patterns of symptoms, emotional distress, behavioral concerns, and functional impairment that may be impacting daily life.

A diagnosis helps guide treatment planning, medical necessity, insurance billing, and clinical recommendations.

A diagnosis is not your identity—it is a clinical tool used to support treatment.

If you are using health insurance, yes.

Insurance companies require a diagnosable mental health condition and medical necessity in order to process claims for therapy services.

If you are paying privately, diagnosis requirements may be discussed differently depending on the nature of treatment.

If insurance is being used, no.

Insurance companies require a diagnosis for reimbursement.

Therapy cannot be billed to insurance without appropriate diagnostic documentation.

Private pay services may allow for greater flexibility depending on treatment goals.

Yes.

When insurance is used, your diagnosis is submitted as part of the claim for payment.

Insurance companies may also request treatment plans, progress notes, or additional clinical documentation depending on your policy and medical necessity requirements.

This is one reason some clients choose private pay services.

Sometimes, yes—but diagnosis is often an ongoing clinical process.

The first session is used to gather history, assess symptoms, understand functioning, and begin clinical formulation.

Some diagnoses become clearer over time rather than in a single appointment.

Clients may discuss concerns, symptoms, and questions openly, but diagnoses are based on clinical assessment, ethical standards, and diagnostic criteria—not preference, convenience, or documentation requests.

A diagnosis must be clinically appropriate.

Diagnoses may change over time as symptoms improve, worsen, or clinical understanding becomes clearer.

A diagnosis is not permanent if the clinical picture changes.

However, diagnoses cannot be changed simply for convenience, employment concerns, academic requests, or insurance preferences.

Therapy sessions may identify concerns related to ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, trauma, anxiety, depression, and other conditions.

However, some diagnoses may require formal psychological testing, psychiatric evaluation, or referral to a specialist for confirmation.

Appropriate referrals are provided when necessary

Clinical paperwork such as FMLA, disability documentation, or workplace accommodations are completed based on treatment history, clinical appropriateness, and established therapeutic relationship—not diagnosis alone.

Progressing through Therapy policy indicates FMLA/STD/Accommodation paperwork is only completed after a client has attended consistent therapy sessions for a minimum of 12 months or 48 sessions.

Completion of paperwork is not guaranteed.

Grief itself is a normal human experience and is not automatically considered a mental health diagnosis.

However, prolonged grief, severe functional impairment, trauma responses, depression, or anxiety connected to loss may meet criteria for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

No.

Feeling anxious does not automatically mean someone meets criteria for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

Diagnosis depends on severity, duration, functional impairment, and clinical presentation—not occasional stress or temporary overwhelm.

Yes.

Many people begin therapy knowing they feel overwhelmed, stuck, exhausted, emotionally disconnected, or unlike themselves without having clear language for it.

Part of therapy is helping identify what is happening and what needs attention.

Yes, in some cases.

Life insurance companies may review mental health diagnoses, treatment history, medications, hospitalizations, and overall health when determining eligibility, premiums, or policy terms.

A diagnosis such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or other mental health conditions may be considered during underwriting, depending on the insurance company and the specific policy being requested.

Having a diagnosis does not automatically mean coverage will be denied, but it may affect rates, approval, or additional documentation requests.

This is one reason some individuals choose private pay for therapy rather than using health insurance, as insurance claims require a diagnosis to be submitted.

Coaching

No.

Progressing through Therapy provides clinical mental health counseling and psychotherapy, not coaching services.

Therapy focuses on emotional wellness, mental health symptoms, trauma, anxiety, grief, behavioral patterns, and clinical treatment goals supported by professional licensure, ethical standards, and clinical documentation.

Coaching is not a substitute for therapy and does not involve mental health diagnosis, treatment planning, or clinical intervention.

If your needs are more appropriate for coaching rather than therapy, appropriate referrals may be recommended.

Therapy addresses mental health, emotional regulation, trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship patterns, and behavioral change through licensed clinical treatment.

Therapy may involve diagnosis, treatment planning, insurance billing, clinical documentation, and long-term emotional work.

Coaching typically focuses on goal-setting, accountability, motivation, performance, mindset shifts, and future-oriented personal or professional development.

Coaching does not diagnose or treat mental health conditions and is not covered by health insurance.

In simple terms:

Therapy helps you understand, heal, and regulate.

Coaching helps you execute, perform, and pursue specific goals.

Some people need coaching.

Some people need therapy.

Some people need both – but they are not the same service.

Medication

No.

Progressing through Therapy provides clinical mental health counseling and psychotherapy. We do not prescribe medication.

Medication management must be completed by a licensed medical provider such as a psychiatrist, primary care physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant with prescribing authority.

If medication support may be helpful, appropriate referrals can be provided.

No.

Therapy does not require medication.

Some clients benefit from therapy alone, while others benefit from a combination of therapy and medication depending on symptoms, severity, and treatment goals.

The decision to use medication is personal and should be discussed with a qualified medical provider.

Not necessarily.

Therapy helps assess symptoms, patterns, and functioning. If symptoms significantly interfere with daily life, sleep, work, relationships, or emotional regulation, medication may be discussed as one possible support—not as the only solution.

The goal is appropriate care, not automatic medication.

Yes.

Many people make significant progress in therapy without medication.

Therapy can help with anxiety, grief, trauma, emotional regulation, boundaries, self-worth, and behavioral patterns even without medication.

However, some conditions may benefit from both therapy and medication working together.

Yes.

Choosing therapy does not mean you are required to take medication.

Treatment should reflect your needs, goals, and clinical presentation—not pressure.

Do not stop psychiatric medication without speaking to the medical provider who prescribed it.

Stopping medication suddenly can create withdrawal symptoms, emotional instability, or worsening symptoms.

Medication decisions should always be made with your prescribing provider.

No.

Medication refills must be handled by the provider who prescribes your medication.

This may be your psychiatrist, primary care provider, or another medical prescriber.

No.

For some people, therapy alone is effective.

For others, medication helps stabilize symptoms enough for therapy to be more effective.

This depends on the individual, diagnosis, severity of symptoms, and overall treatment needs.

Therapy and medication are not competitors—they are tools.

No.

Taking medication for mental health is no different than taking medication for blood pressure, diabetes, or other medical conditions.

Medication is a tool—not a character judgment.

The goal is functioning, stability, and quality of life.

Some people explore supplements such as magnesium, ashwagandha, berberine, omega-3s, or herbal supports for stress and wellness.

However, supplements can still affect mood, blood pressure, sleep, and medication interactions.

Always discuss supplements with your medical provider before starting them, especially if you are already taking prescription medication.

Natural does not always mean risk-free.