Frequently Asked Questions
What happens in the first session/intake?
Think of this as your mental health intake. This is where you and your potential will officially start. You will be given the opportunity to share as much about yourself as you are ready to at this initial meeting. This may be an appointment where your clinician types live in session. It’s a lot of information, and we want to make sure it’s captured correctly. This is also where you and your therapist will begin to talk about some of your goals, and what therapy may look like as it relates to those goals
What is the point of an initial virtual consult if we have to do an intake?
Therapy is relational. What we don’t want is for you to pay for an intake with someone you do not connect with. The initial virtual consult is to “meet and greet” each other to see if it feels like a good fit. If not, we can 100% try to connect you with someone who would be a god fit. If this is a session for a minor client, both guardian/parent and child/teen must be present.
How often will we meet, and for how long?
It’s typical to meet weekly or every other week, especially in the initial sessions. How often we meet will depend on what’s going on for each individual. You can see the rates for each session here. Depending on the type of therapy, you may have sessions that are different lengths of time
What is your cancellation policy?
Whole Mentality requires 48 hours notice for a cancellation. Otherwise the full session amount is due. (Clients utilizing Medicaid benefits are not charged a missed appointment fee, but adhere to the missed appointment/late cancel policies listed in paperwork.)
Ex: If you late cancel a 55 min. session then you’d pay that rate of $200.
If you late cancel what was scheduled as a 30 min. session. you’d pay that rate of $120.
*Unless you have an established reduced rate with our practice, in which case you’d pay that reduced rate.
Do you accept insurance?
Yes, Whole Mentality is in network with most commercial BCBS, Aetna (including the state health plan), Cigna, and Ambetter plans. Whole Mentality is also in network with several Medicaid plans, please reach out to confirm that we accept your insurance.
Whole Mentality can bill your out of network benefits if you’e like.
Does Whole Mentality accept cigna?
Yes, Whole Mentality now accepts Cigna as of May 2026 .
How do I use my out-of-network benefits?
Whole Mentality partners with Thrizer for the easiest way to bill an out of network claims.
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Here is a great article to further answer that question.
Whole Mentality is happy to provide you with a superbill for you to submit to your insurance company.
First thing to do - Call your insurance company and inquire about your out-of-network benefits before making an appointment. Some questions to ask:
Does my insurance policy include out-of-network mental health benefits?
Are out-of-network services by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker covered?
Do you cover procedural codes 90837, 90834, & 90832 (all for individual therapy)? If looking for family therapy, also inquire about 90846 & 90847.
Are both virtual and tele-therapy services covered?
Do I have an out-of-network deductible? Have I met it?
Will I get reimbursed the full amount I pay for mental health therapy? Or will I receive a percentage?
Do I have co-insurance for out-of-network care?
How do I submit a superbill to my insurance? Are there additional forms I will need to complete?
When is Payment due?
Payment is due at the time of service. On the day of your appointment your clinician will charge the card on file. Missed appointment fees are equivalent to the scheduled service. If you miss your appointment that day/late cancel, the price is the same. (Medicaid clients are not charged a missed appointment fee, but adhere to the missed appointment/late cancel policy related to remaining engaged in services.)
Credit cards, debit cards, FSA cards, and HSA cards are all stored securely in your portal account (the electronic health records system), so session time is not utilized for payment.
do you offer any reduced-rate or sliding scale slots?
Yes, our clinicians offer sliding-scale slots. We do not require personal financial information for these slots, just ask.
If we are unable to meet your financial needs, we will try to use our referral list to connect you with someone who can.
Will I have a diagnosis?
If you are using your insurance or your out-of-network benefits then yes, we will have to provide a diagnosis for in order for insurance to cover the service.
If you are self-paying and not using your out-of-network benefits , you are not required to obtain a diagnosis. You and your clinician can talk about this further as it relates to your specific needs and goals..
what types of therapy do you offer?
We provide trauma-informed therapy EMDR Therapy, Pain Reprocessing Therapy, DBT, CBT, Emotion Focused Therapy and more. We serve Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, Morrisville, Apex, and the state of NC.
We support children, teens, adults, couples, and relationships!
What are your hours?
We typically see clients Monday - Friday. All sessions are appointment only, and can be booked online, with your clinician, and/or our admin. You can contact your clinician directly if you need a different time/day and we will do our best to accommodate your scheduling needs if you have contacted us more than 48 hours in advance.
EMDR Intensives can be conducted on the weekends.
What Is an EMDR Therapy intensive?
An EMDR Therapy Intensive is an extended therapy format that allows clients to do months worth of trauma processing in a short period of time — typically 4 to 7 hours over 1 to 3 days. Unlike standard weekly therapy sessions, intensives provide uninterrupted, focused time for deep healing work. EMDR Therapy Intensives at Whole Mentality are offered in-person in Raleigh, NC and virtually for anyone located within the state of NC. They are self-pay only and not covered by insurance. Pricing starts at $1,575 for a half-day intensive.
Do you offer EMDR Therapy Intensives
Yes! Whole Mentality offers EMDR Therapy Intensives with Erica Smith, LCSW — an EMDRIA Approved Consultant based in Raleigh, NC. Intensive options include a Half-Day ($1,575), Full-Day ($2,025), and 3-Day/Weekend ($4,725) format. A free 30-minute virtual consultation is required before scheduling. EMDR Therapy Intensives are self-pay only and available both in-person in Raleigh and virtually. Learn more and get started at our EMDR Therapy Intensives page.
is online therapy helpful?
Virtual therapy can be incredibly helpful! It’s also not for everyone. Some prefer to be 100% virtual, and some use it when they are not able to make it to their in-person session and/or traveling (in state). Our practice works to make online sessions as engaging and interactive as possible, but does ask that you have a private space to meet.
Some client’s sit in their parked car in their driveway if there are a lot of people in their home. Some clients sit in a spare bedroom, or large closet - find a space that feels like you have privacy.
why can’t you see me outside of north carolina?
Currently are only licensed providers in North Carolina. As we are not licensed in other states we are only able to see folx within North Carolina.
If a client moves out of state, we will work to find a provider in the client’s new home state.
what if it isn’t working?
Let’s talk about it! One of the BIGGEST influences of successful therapy outcomes is the therapeutic relationship. Our practice may not be a perfect fit for everyone - and that’s okay. If you feel like the fit isn’t working, talk about it - referrals are possible! Sometime’s it’s a matter of communication. Our goal is to create a space for authenticity, and if your provider isn’t a fit for you - that’s okay! Let’s find someone who is.
We will also regularly check-in on your therapy goals to make sure we are still working on what is important to you. If progress isn’t being made, you and your clinician will explore therapy interventions and modalities and potentially a referral to another provider that can better meet your needs. We prioritize community and has a wide referral network to connect you to!
Do you offer clinical supervision for lcsw-a?
Yes. Erica Smith, MSW, LCSW provides individual clinical supervision for provisionally licensed social workers (LCSWAs) in North Carolina. Supervision at Whole Mentality is trauma-informed, identity-affirming, and grounded in anti-oppressive practice. Supervision is $100 per session and available in-person in Raleigh, NC and virtually across North Carolina. Whole Mentality currently has limited supervision openings — contact us at ericasmith@wholementality.com to inquire about availability.
is Whole Mentality wheelchair accessible?
Yes. Whole Mentality's office at 3720 Benson Drive in Raleigh, NC is a ground floor suite with free accessible parking directly in front of the building, sloped entryways on either side of the main door, a wheelchair-maneuverable lobby, and an accessible all-gender restroom. The front door entryway has a sloped metal threshold that presents a moderate bump for mobility devices — clients with power wheelchairs or larger frames may want to contact us in advance so we can ensure the smoothest arrival experience. While some clinicians are located upstairs, a downstairs office remains available at all times should a client or clinician need access to a more accessible space. Virtual therapy is also available to clients across North Carolina who prefer or require remote sessions.
Clients with specific accessibility needs are encouraged to contact us before their first visit at admin@wholementality.com so we can best prepare for your arrival.
how do i get started?
Awesome! You can contact us via our contact page!