Frequently Asked Questions

Initial Session: $170

50-60-Minute Session: $150

90-Minute Session: $225

Please refer to the Rates section for more information!

Credit, debit, health savings accounts (HSAs) or flexible spending accounts (FSAs) are acceptable forms of payment. For ease, I will keep a card on file to be billed following each appointment. If you need to update the card information or would like to request a different card be kept, you can do so at any time by notifying me directly.

The answer is…sort of! There are several ways you can utilize health-related funds or out-of-network benefits through your insurance provider to receive potential partial reimbursement for services:

• The first is utilizing your Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay for services. This is a great option for those who want to have more choice about which provider they see and not be limited by whether or not their insurance is accepted by that specific provider. These are also pre-tax funds that many can utilize to pay for therapy. It can be helpful to check with the organization or bank that supplies your HSA or FSA about whether mental health services are an accepted service. On some occasions, your HSA/FSA administrator may request a “Superbill”, or itemized receipt, that includes necessary information to approve the use of your funds. It is important to note, some HSA/FSA administrators may require a mental health diagnosis as part of the necessary information to understand the charges to your account. If needed, I will provide additional information on the superbill upon request.
• Another option is to utilize your out-of-network benefits. Most individuals I speak with are not aware they may be able to receive coverage for some of their therapy with these benefits. This is a great option for those who value choice but also want to take advantage of their insurance benefits. This will require you to pay up front (out of pocket) for services. Then you will submit what is known as a “Superbill”, or itemized receipt, to your insurance provider who will then reimburse you for the agreed upon rate depending on your specific plan.

There are a couple of important things to be aware of when selecting this option:

• In order to utilize out-of-network benefits, you will be assigned a mental health diagnosis. Insurance companies require a diagnosis to provide reimbursement for services.
• You may have a deductible that must be met prior to receiving reimbursement for services. Sometimes the out-of-network deductible can be comparable or very different than your in-network deductible.

My most important recommendation is to contact your insurance provider as you are exploring these options and ask questions about the information described here. Each insurance company is a little bit different and will therefore require different information from their members.

If you call your insurer to discuss coverage, be prepared to ask the following questions:

• Do I have mental health or behavioral health out-of-network benefits for outpatient settings?
• What is my deductible? Has it been met?
• Is approval required by my primary care physician?
• How many mental health sessions does my plan cover annually?
• How do I obtain reimbursement for an out-of-network mental health provider?
• What will the coverage amount be per session?
• Are telehealth sessions covered?
• If you need specific CPT codes, they can be provided upon request.

I will do my best to help you understand your options, make a decision that best serves your needs, and feels connected with your values and goals. If you have any questions about the information described here, please reach out to me and bring any questions to your free 15-minute consultation call!

Yes to both! I offer in person sessions to those in Charlotte, NC on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I also offer online HIPAA compliant virtual sessions to those throughout North & South Carolina on Mondays. Clients are welcome to engage in both virtual and in person options throughout their care or select one or the other. If you have any questions about your unique circumstances, please reach out!

Prior to your first session, I will ask you to complete some initial paperwork. This serves a couple of purposes: It helps me to get a better idea of what’s happening in your life that has led you to therapy and will help you to understand your rights as a client. In turn, this will help us be able to jump right in wherever you’d like during your first visit.

The idea of an initial session can feel a bit nerve-racking and you may find yourself unsure of where to start. That’s ok! Typically, folks like to begin by telling me more about their loss. This may look like sharing about how their loved one passed or circumstances leading up to their death. It may also mean talking about what life looks like now - perhaps struggles with sleep, anxiety, mood, energy, etc. If you need support in knowing where to start, I’ll help. I also like to remind you, we have more time than the first session so give yourself space to bring up what you want to talk about when you want to talk about it. There’s no rushing here.

You’re welcome to bring any questions, concerns, fears, or comments to your free 20-minute consultation call. We will work together in order to determine if I am the best fit for you based on where you are in your journey. Whether you choose to move forward with me or if our time happens to be a stepping stone, my hope is that you feel welcomed, understood, seen, empowered, and like you can breathe just a little bit easier with each conversation.

I work with adults (18+) who have experienced the loss of a loved one.

I believe the connection between a client and therapist is essential in experiencing the changes you're seeking. Although I cannot make guarantees, I can tell you a little bit about what I believe about the therapeutic relationship when it comes to navigating grief. This may allow you to decide for yourself if my message connects with you.

Having someone who can listen deeply, respond thoughtfully, and validate you when you feel like everything you know has changed...is vital. Grief is huge, overwhelming, and often misunderstood in our society. Many people come to me feeling like they don't have a space where they can say what they want to. I believe you need to be able to voice your frustrations, talk about the dark, scary stuff going on inside of you, and be honest with what's on your heart. Not everyone in your life will be able to handle these conversations with you. They may want to make suggestions, calm you down, tell you it's going to be ok, or even just straight out ask you to stop. I don't believe that's helpful here. If we can't be honest, how do we truly get the support we need.

It's important to me to practice what I encourage in my clients. I work hard to take care of myself as I am supporting others. I believe this allows me to be present for my clients while also modeling that I'm a human too. One that needs nurture, care, and the support of others to make my way through the world. As a fellow human, I bring my humanity to my work. I like to share my thoughts, feelings, and observations with you, ask questions, and follow your lead. My training is rooted in relationships: I view the relationship between client and therapist as another source of growth, healing, and connection. If we can build a safe place of trust and attunement with one another, it may offer some stability and consistency when life feels nothing like that.

When some people hear grief and loss, they want to run. I don't! I want to lean in. I truly love what I do. I am constantly humbled by those who allow me to sit with them in one of the hardest times of their life. I believe everyone experiencing the loss of a loved one is deserving of people and spaces that are free from judgment and dedicated to the person doing the hard work of grieving. It would be my honor to walk alongside you and companion you in your grief.

I may not be for everyone and that's ok! But if something here resonates with you or you have a few more questions for me, I'd be glad to talk further. You're welcome to reach me at connect@annakantsios.com

If you are interested in working together, email me at connect@annakantsios.com

I return emails and calls at my earliest convenience, typically Monday-Thursday. In addition to private practice, I work for a local hospice provider, so I do my best to be available to all the clients I serve within this time frame. If you find you are regularly needing additional support outside of our sessions, let’s talk about options.

If you are having a counseling emergency, call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.

Sometimes unexpected things arise and life doesn’t go according to plan. I get it! Our time is a commitment between us and I hope it’s a commitment you value and prioritize. I ask you to provide a minimum of 24-hour notice when you need to cancel or reschedule a session. I understand this may take some getting used to, therefore, on the first occurrence you will be charged a reduced fee of $75. Each additional late cancellation or missed appointment without 24-hour notice will then result in the full session fee ($150 for a 50-60-minute session; $225 for a 90-minute session).

Under Section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act (No Surprises Act), health care providers are required to provide patients who do not have insurance or who are not using insurance, a Good Faith Estimate (GFE) of expected charges and services. This law intends to protect you from receiving any "surprise" bills (hence the name "The No Surprise Act") or from receiving bills with a "surprise" higher cost than you expected. 

• You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
• Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider and any other provider you choose for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.
• If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.

Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 800-985-3059.