Answers before you book.
Here are answers to the questions we hear most. If you have any other questions or concerns, call either office and we'll walk you through it.
Getting started
How can therapy help me?
Therapy offers support, problem-solving skills and better coping strategies for depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress and creative blocks. At Vitality Counseling we specialize in evidence-based treatment for depression, anxiety and substance use disorders. Our goal is to partner with you to reach your full potential and remove whatever is keeping you stuck.
What you gain depends on how you use the process and put what you learn into practice. Benefits can include:
- A better understanding of yourself, your goals and your values
- Skills for improving your relationships
- Resolution of the concerns that led you to seek therapy
- New ways to cope with stress and anxiety
- Managing anger, grief, depression and other emotional pressures
- Better communication and listening skills
- Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
- New ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
- Stronger self-esteem and self-confidence
What can I expect in my first session?
When you arrive, have a seat in the waiting room and your clinician will come out to greet you. The first session is an intake questionnaire and interview: your counselor gets to know you, your needs and your goals, and the two of you set treatment goals together that you'll revisit over the course of therapy.
Therapy can be short for more immediate concerns or longer for more complex ones. Expect to meet weekly or every other week as you work toward your goals. After the first visit, sessions are typically 50 minutes.
Do I need a referral?
No. Many clients come to us through a physician's referral or the recommendation of a friend or family member, but a referral isn't required.
How soon can I be seen?
We keep wait times minimal. Book online or call the Madison office at 601-775-2144 or the Starkville office at 662-366-3221, and we'll find the first time that works for you.
Do you see children and teenagers?
Yes. We care for adults, adolescents and children. Several clinicians specialize in play therapy, school-related challenges, ADHD and family support. Search the team by concern to find the right fit.
Do you offer telehealth?
Yes. 12 of our 13 clinicians offer secure video visits for therapy or medication management, so you can be seen from home. Telehealth is available only to Mississippi residents. If you are not a Mississippi resident, call our office to see if we have a therapist who is licensed in your state. See telehealth clinicians.
Medication management
Does Vitality Counseling offer medication management?
Yes. Some clients benefit from medication alongside counseling. Our prescribers, Rosalie Casano, MD, Gracie Smith, PMHNP-BC, Rachael Stout, PMHNP-BC, Danielle Pugh, PMHNP-BC, spend time with you to decide whether medication is appropriate and, if it is, prescribe and refer as needed. Because therapy and medication management happen under one roof, your therapist and prescriber can coordinate your care.
How do I request a refill?
Refills need an active follow-up appointment, and medication changes are made during scheduled visits. Before you send a refill request, ask your pharmacy to check "prescriptions on file" and "future-dated prescriptions"; controlled medications don't show up under "refills," and this step prevents most delays. Then send routine requests to care@vitalitycounsel.com. We don't accept refill requests sent by pharmacies.
Insurance and payment
Do you take insurance?
Each Vitality clinician is paneled with different insurance companies, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Aetna, Medicare and Tricare, and some see clients out of network. If your insurance isn't accepted, we offer options such as self-pay and superbills.
To find out whether you have mental health coverage, call your insurance company first. Helpful questions to ask:
- What are my mental health benefits?
- What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
- How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
- How much does my plan pay for an out-of-network provider?
- Is approval required from my primary care physician?
Which clinicians accept my plan?
Plans as listed on each clinician's profile. Please confirm with your clinician and your insurance company before your first visit.
| Plan | Clinicians who accept it |
|---|---|
| BCBS | Craig Watson, Kim Brown, Rachel Clair Franklin, Allyn Williams, Presley Flowers, Chris Austin, Tori Pollard, Rosalie Casano, Gracie Smith, Rachael Stout, Danielle Pugh |
| Aetna | Craig Watson, Kim Brown, Gracie Smith, Rachael Stout, Danielle Pugh |
| Fox Everett | Kim Brown, Gracie Smith, Danielle Pugh |
| GEHA | Gracie Smith, Rachael Stout, Danielle Pugh |
| UHC | Gracie Smith, Rachael Stout, Danielle Pugh |
| UMR | Gracie Smith, Rachael Stout, Danielle Pugh |
| Ambetter | Gracie Smith, Rachael Stout |
| Cigna | Gracie Smith, Rachael Stout |
| Medicare | Gracie Smith, Rachael Stout |
| Oscar | Gracie Smith, Rachael Stout |
| MPCN | Kim Brown |
| Magnolia | Gracie Smith |
| Tricare | Gracie Smith |
Sophia Oswalt and Regan Bernardoni currently see clients on a self-pay basis.
What are the benefits of self-pay?
Paying out of pocket keeps your therapy more private: none of your records, diagnostic information or authorizations go through insurance. Some Vitality therapists also aren't paneled with insurance, so self-pay lets you work with the clinician who feels like the best fit. If self-pay isn't feasible for you, we'll help you find alternatives.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept insurance, cash, check and cards. Co-pays, co-insurance and deductibles are due before your appointment begins, and every client keeps a credit or debit card on file. To use insurance, upload a current copy of your card (front and back) in the SimplePractice Client Portal before your visit.
What is your cancellation policy?
Please cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours before your appointment. That notice lets us offer the time to someone else who's waiting to be seen. Late cancellations and missed appointments are charged a $100 fee, and arriving more than 10 minutes late counts as a missed appointment that will need to be rescheduled. After three missed appointments in 12 months, we may have to end care with the practice.
Can I message my provider between appointments?
Send all medication questions to care@vitalitycounsel.com. Email is not a secure way to communicate, so please don't include any protected health information you aren't comfortable sharing.
Require an appointment: medication changes or prescriptions that need medical decision-making, new symptoms, updates to long-term condition care, and requests to complete medical forms.
Fine by email: scheduling, follow-up questions about care received in the last seven days, and quick or non-clinical questions.
Privacy and safety
Is therapy confidential?
Yes. Confidentiality is one of the most important parts of the relationship between you and your therapist. You'll receive a written copy of your therapist's confidentiality disclosure, and what you discuss in session isn't shared with anyone without your written permission, including your physician or attorney.
State law and professional ethics require two exceptions:
- Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults or elders, which is reported to the authorities
- When a therapist has reason to believe a client is in serious danger of harming themselves or has threatened to harm another person
Visiting us
Where are your offices?
Madison: 208 Key Drive, Suite C, Madison, MS 39110 · 601-775-2144
Starkville: 201 Academy Rd., Unit 1, Starkville, MS 39759 · 662-366-3221
Fax for both offices: 601-228-4773
What are your hours?
Both offices are open Monday–Thursday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. · Friday 8 a.m.–12 p.m..
Ready when you are.
Book online in a few minutes, or call and we'll find a time that works, often within days.