Frequently Asked Questions about Clarity Christian Counseling

The following are Frequently Asked Questions that will provide you with some helpful information to help you understand how we work and if Clarity Christian Counseling is the right place for you. Visit the contact us page or click here to schedule a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation with licensed therapist Kimberly Vanhooser, where you can have all your questions answered and book your first counseling session.

How long is each session?

Most sessions are 50 minutes long. Eighty-minute or 100-minute sessions are available upon request and may be recommended for couples therapy sessions or if you are unable to attend weekly therapy. Please ask your therapist if you have questions about what length of session is right for you.

How much does therapy cost?

The fee for a 50-minute counseling session with our fully licensed therapists is $195.

Do you take insurance or HSA cards?

We are a private pay practice and not in-network with any insurance, but you may be able to receive reimbursement for your sessions if your insurance offers out-of-network benefits. Click here to use the benefits calculator and instantly verify your out-of-network coverage. If your insurance provides out-of-network reimbursement, we can either issue you a superbill for you to submit to your insurance personally. If you have a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA), you can use your balance to make therapy costs tax deductible.

Why don’t you take insurance?

While insurance can be a great resource, it also creates many barriers to providing the high quality level of care that we value at Clarity Christian Counseling. We like to be able to provide treatment based on what is best for the client. Insurance often limits the number of sessions it will cover as well as the types of therapy it will reimburse, and reimbursement rates are often far below what is necessary to run a sustainable practice. Candidly, it creates too many headaches and bumps in the road to be a viable avenue for our practice. If you would like to seek your own reimbursement through your insurance, we are happy to help you look up your OON benefits and provide you with a superbill.

How frequently will I need sessions and for how long?

Typically, therapy sessions are held weekly when you first begin. Once you and your therapist have laid a good foundation for growth and you are feeling improvement, sessions can often be less frequent. The length of time that therapy sessions will be recommended is unique to each individual and determined based on a number of factors. As a rule of thumb, it can be helpful to think of committing to therapy for 2-6 months, although this could differ based on your situation. Ask your therapist to see what is recommended for you.

Do you offer in person sessions?

Kimberly Vanhooser offers in-person sessions in Centennial, Colorado (South Denver Metro Area). She can also offer telehealth as long as clients are physically located within the states of Arizona or Colorado. Dr. Julie Edwards only offers telehealth at this time.

How is Christian counseling different than working with a secular therapist?

Each therapist at Clarity Christian Counseling has a personal relationship with Jesus and upholds Christian values. With that being said, the level at which this is directly incorporated in treatment is largely based on the client’s needs and desires. Many of our clients simply feel more comfortable knowing that their therapist shares their faith and will not encourage them to make choices that would violate their Christian values. For clients who wish their faith to play a very active role in the therapy process, your therapist will take this into consideration and address your issues and concerns from a Christian lens. If you are comfortable, your therapist may pray for you at the end of session.

We respect the personal beliefs of each client and believe a person has the autonomy to choose what they believe. We also know that even among Christians, beliefs and value systems may differ. Therefore, the therapists will never force their own personal values on a client.

What are your areas of expertise or specialties?

Kimberly Vanhooser specializes in working with individual adult women as well as tweens and teens. She is skilled in treating anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, self-harm, communication skills training, and life transitions, and is also passionate about supporting entrepreneurs in developing strong mental health. Dr. Julie Edwards works with couples and adult men and women. Her areas of expertise include working with veterans and their family members, treatment of addiction, trauma and PTSD, substance use, and teaching parenting skills and communication skills, and marriage counseling.

If you work with my child, how much will I be included in the therapy sessions?

This depends on a number of factors, including your child’s age and autonomy, your own desires, and on what is needed for best results. It is generally best practice for a child to feel some sense of privacy within therapy sessions. The therapist will let parents know important information related to safety and any other areas that would be in the best interest of the client to inform the client’s parents. The therapist may either require or recommend parent sessions during treatment. You may also be invited in to a therapy session with your child if appropriate or necessary.

How does virtual or online counseling work?

We use an electronic client portal system and video platform specifically designed for therapy. Once you book a session, you will receive a link in your email to access the client portal and complete required documents. You will receive an email and/or text message containing the link to your video session at least 24 hours prior to your appointment. At this time, we are not offering therapy over text, email, or voice notes. All sessions are in live time, and conducted using our video platform. If you prefer to do phone sessions rather than video, this is an option so long as it is appropriate for your situation.

Is online or virtual therapy right for me? Is in person therapy better?

Virtual therapy can be an extremely effective form of therapy. It is often more convenient, as you do not have to travel for each appointment. Clients sometimes also express feeling more comfortable opening up, as they are in a familiar environment of their choosing and do not always feel as vulnerable as in-person therapy.

As long as you have a private, distraction-free location with decent wifi connection where you can meet with your therapist, virtual therapy might be a really good fit for you.

What happens in an initial session?

Your therapist will review important policies and information shared in your consent forms, as well as answer any questions you may have before getting started. The rest of session is generally spent further identifying the problems you are currently experiencing and formulating goals for treatment, as well as giving you some direction for how to start feeling better.

How will I know when I’m ready to wrap up therapy?

When you start to feel like you’d like to wrap up therapy, talk to your therapist about it! Part of being done with therapy means you feel like you have resolved what led you to seek counseling in the first place and/or you feel equipped to know how to respond and cope to on-going issues and stressors outside of therapy when they arise. Be cautious about stopping too quickly after having a good week. Your therapist can help you determine when it is time to end treatment.

Since sessions are virtual, can I still work with Clarity Christian Counseling if I’m not located in Colorado or Arizona?

Due to state licensure laws, we are only legally able to provide therapy to people while they are physically located within the states in which we are licensed. While we are only actively taking on clients located within Colorado or Arizona, Kimberly Kruse also holds a license in California, and Julie Edwards is licensed in Florida and Washington state. If you travel between these states or will temporarily be living in one of those states, feel free to inquire to see if we can accommodate.

Do I have to be a Christian to work with you?

No. While many of our clients seek us out because we offer Christian counseling, we work with clients of all backgrounds and faiths, seeking to improve the overall mental health and emotional well-being of any who are desiring it. We respect the autonomy and beliefs of all individuals.