Therapy FAQs for Nashville and Franklin
Eight groups of questions, answered directly: how to start, choosing a therapist, first appointments, the two offices, who we see, fees and insurance, scheduling, and privacy. Where a policy is still being confirmed, the answer says so instead of guessing.
Jump to a topic
Each group below covers one part of getting started, in the order most people ask them.
Getting started
How to send an inquiry, what the free call is for, and whether you need a referral.
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Choosing a therapist
Picking a clinician, changing your mind, and what the letters after their names mean.
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First appointments
What a first session is like, how long it runs, and how often people come.
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Services and age groups
Who is in the room, which ages we see, and service versus method.
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Fees and insurance
The $150 hourly rate, insurance, the free consultation, and cancellation.
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Privacy and communication
Confidentiality, who sees your inquiry, and messages between sessions.
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How do I start therapy at Alder & Hearth?
The first step is a free 15 minute phone call. Nothing is booked until you have spoken to someone and decided to go ahead.
How do I request a first appointment?
Send the inquiry form on our contact page. Tell us who the appointment is for, which office you prefer, and whether you have a therapist in mind. We reply to arrange a free 15 minute phone call.
What is the free 15 minute consultation for?
It is a short phone call to check fit before you commit to anything. You describe what is going on, we explain how we work, and we suggest a clinician. If we are not the right practice for what you are bringing, we will say so.
Do I need a referral or a diagnosis to book?
No. You can contact us without a referral from a doctor and without a diagnosis. If you already have one, or you want us to coordinate with another provider, mention it on the form.
What if I am not sure therapy is the right step?
That is a common place to start, and the free call exists for exactly that. You can ask questions about cost, timing, and what therapy involves without committing to an appointment.
How do I choose a therapist?
Four things decide most matches: what you are bringing, who should be in the room, which office works for you, and the times you can attend.
Can I choose a specific therapist?
Yes. Every clinician is listed on the Our team page with their approaches, their office, and the people they work with. Name the one you want when you send an inquiry and we will check their availability.
What if I do not know who to ask for?
Send the inquiry without a name. We suggest a clinician based on what you describe, where you would like to meet, and the times that work for you, and you can say no to the suggestion.
What if the fit is not right?
Tell us and we will help you change clinicians. You do not need to explain or justify it, and it is a normal part of finding the right match rather than a complaint.
What do the letters after the therapists' names mean?
LPC and LPC-MHSP are licensed professional counselor designations in Tennessee, LMFT means licensed marital and family therapist, LCSW means licensed clinical social worker, and PhD indicates a doctoral degree. All of our clinicians are licensed in Tennessee.
What happens in a first therapy appointment?
The first session is mostly conversation, and your clinician shapes it around what you bring rather than working through a fixed script.
What happens in the first session?
Your clinician asks what brought you in, what you have already tried, and what you want to be different. You can ask how they work and say if something does not feel right. Most of the session is you talking.
How long is a therapy session?
Sessions are typically around 50 minutes. Confirm the length with your clinician, since it can vary by format and by whether you are meeting individually, as a couple, or as a family.
How often will I come?
Most people start weekly or every other week and adjust from there. Frequency is agreed with your clinician, and it can change as things settle or get harder.
Do I have to talk about everything at once?
No. You decide what to bring and when to bring it. If something is not ready to be opened yet, you can say that, and it will be respected rather than pushed.
Which office should I choose?
We have offices in Nashville and Franklin, and online sessions are available if travel does not fit your week.
Where are your offices?
One in Nashville and one in Franklin, Tennessee. Address, hours, parking, and accessibility details are on each location page, and a few of those details are still being confirmed.
Does it matter which office I choose?
It matters for travel and for which clinicians you can see in person, because some clinicians work from one office only. If you have a preference, say so and we will match you within it.
Do you offer online therapy?
Yes. Sessions are available online through a secure video platform, which helps when travel to Nashville or Franklin is difficult or your schedule is tight. Ask for online when you send an inquiry.
Can I switch between in person and online?
Often, yes, if your clinician offers both. Arrange it in advance rather than on the day, so the session is set up correctly and the room or link is ready for you.
Who do you work with, and in what format?
A service describes who is in the room. A method describes how a clinician works. An area of work describes what brought you in.
What therapy services do you offer?
Individual therapy for adults, therapy for children and teenagers, couples and relationship counseling, family therapy, and group therapy. Group therapy is a sample offering, so ask about current availability before counting on it.
What ages do you see?
Adults, teenagers, and children. Colleen Barrett works with children and teenagers, and several clinicians work with adults and couples. Tell us the age on your inquiry so we suggest the right clinician.
Do you see couples and families?
Yes. Daniel Okafor, Erin Castellanos, and others work with couples, and family sessions can include parents, children, or both. Most of this work happens at the Franklin office.
What is the difference between a service, a method, and an area of work?
A service is who is in the room, such as individual or couples therapy. A method is how the therapist works, such as EMDR or IFS. An area of work is what brought you in, such as anxiety, grief, or chronic pain.
What if my situation does not fit one category?
Most situations do not fit one neatly. Describe what is going on in your own words on the inquiry form and we will suggest a clinician rather than a label.
What does therapy cost, and does insurance cover it?
Sessions start at $150 an hour, insurance is accepted, and the 15 minute call to check fit is free.
How much does a therapy session cost?
Sessions start at $150 an hour. Your rate depends on the clinician and the format, so confirm it on the free call before anything is booked.
Do you accept insurance?
Yes, insurance is accepted. Coverage differs by plan, and couples and family sessions are sometimes handled differently from individual sessions, so check with your insurer and confirm with us before the first appointment.
Is the first consultation free?
Yes. The 15 minute phone call to check fit and match you with a therapist costs nothing and does not obligate you to book a session.
What is your cancellation policy?
The notice period is still being confirmed for this page. Ask your clinician when you book, so you know where you stand before the first session rather than after it.
What if cost is the obstacle?
Say so on the free call. Ask directly about insurance, session frequency, or anything else that would make the cost workable, and we will tell you what is possible instead of leaving you to guess.
How does scheduling work?
Sessions run by appointment at both offices and online. Availability is not published here, so it is checked with you on the free call.
How far ahead do I need to book?
Availability changes week to week and is not published on this page. Ask on the free 15 minute call and you will hear what is open with the clinicians who fit your situation.
Do you have evening or weekend appointments?
Some clinicians hold later slots, and it varies by office. Tell us which days and times work on your inquiry and we will check rather than promise.
How do I change or cancel an appointment?
Contact your clinician directly and as early as you can. The notice period is still being confirmed for this page, so ask when you book so you know what applies to you.
Can I book around school or work hours?
Yes, that is common. School hour slots suit children and teenagers, and later slots suit people who work through the day. Say which you need and we will look for a match.
How private is what I share?
What you tell your clinician is confidential, with specific legal exceptions they will explain before you begin.
Is therapy confidential?
Yes, with legal exceptions that your clinician explains at the start. They usually involve immediate risk to you or someone else, or a court order. Ask before you share anything sensitive.
Who sees the inquiry I send?
The practice staff who arrange appointments. Please include only what we need to route your inquiry, such as who the appointment is for and which office you prefer, rather than detailed clinical information.
Can we email or text between sessions?
Scheduling messages are fine. Clinical conversations are best kept inside sessions, and messages are not monitored continuously. Confirm with your clinician which channels they use and when.
Is the inquiry form on this site secure?
Treat it like any web form and leave out sensitive clinical detail, which belongs on the phone or in the session. The form is also not monitored for emergencies, so call 911 if someone is at immediate risk.
Still have a question?
Ask it on the free 15 minute call. If the answer is not on this page, we will tell you directly instead of guessing, and nothing is booked until you decide.