Frequently Asked Questions

Healing & Esperanza Counseling offers a variety of counseling services including individual therapy for adults, adolescents 12+, as well as LCSW supervision. Therapy is provided via teletherapy only at this time.

Engaging in mental health therapy can be a transformative experience, offering numerous benefits. Therapy provides a safe and confidential space to explore your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, helping you gain deeper self-awareness and understanding. It offers practical tools and strategies to manage stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges, promoting healthier coping mechanisms and emotional resilience. Through therapy, you can work through past traumas, improve relationships, and develop a stronger sense of self-worth, ultimately leading to a more balanced, fulfilling, and empowered life.

You can book an appointment with Healing & Esperanza Counseling by clicking the "schedule a FREE consultation" button on any page, filling out the contact form, emailing Luz at Luz@healingandesperanza.com or by calling 720-805-6244.

My hours are currently 7pm-8pm on Tuesdays, 8am-12pm on Fridays and 10am-1:30pm on Saturdays. At this time, I offer only virtual, teletherapy sessions in the state of Colorado.

It’s just like in-person therapy, except in the comfort of your own home! A link to the telehealth session will be sent to you via email once an appointment is scheduled. Simply click the link at the time of your appointment and we can begin!

During your first session, we will complete an intake. I will ask you questions to get to know you better and understand what brings you to counseling. I will gather past information and assess your concerns and therapy goals. You will also have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the counseling process.

A counseling session with Healing & Esperanza Counseling typically lasts for 45-60 minutes, although session length may vary depending on your specific needs and preferences.

The frequency of therapy varies based on individual needs and goals. Some clients have weekly sessions while others meet on a biweekly basis. It's important to keep therapeutic momentum, thus I typically see clients within 4 weeks at minimum.

The length of therapy varies greatly depending on each client's unique needs and goals. Some clients may benefit from short-term therapy, which focuses on addressing a specific issue or achieving a particular goal within a set number of sessions. Others may find that long-term therapy is more beneficial, allowing them to explore multiple aspects of their lives, work through complex issues, and achieve deeper personal growth over an extended period. Throughout the therapeutic process, we will regularly review your progress and adjust the length and focus of therapy to best support your evolving needs.

Confidentiality in mental health therapy is governed by state laws and professional ethical guidelines to ensure your privacy and trust (HIPAA - The Health Information Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, and the Colorado Revised Statues 12-43-218). Therapists are required to keep all information shared during sessions confidential, meaning they cannot disclose anything discussed without your explicit consent. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule:

1. Danger to Self or Others: If you express intentions to harm yourself or others, the therapist is legally obligated to take necessary steps to prevent harm, which may include notifying appropriate authorities or individuals.

2. Abuse or Neglect: Therapists are mandated reporters, which means they must report any suspected abuse or neglect of children, elderly individuals, or vulnerable adults to the proper authorities.

3. Court Orders: If a court orders the release of your therapy records, the therapist must comply, although they will discuss this with you and advocate for the protection of your privacy as much as possible.

4. Supervision and Consultation: Sometimes therapists may discuss cases with supervisors or colleagues for professional guidance and support, but this is done without revealing your identity and with strict adherence to confidentiality protocols.

If you use insurance, I will be required to disclose diagnosis and basic treatment plan information for billing purposes as well. Overall, confidentiality is a cornerstone of the therapeutic relationship, designed to create a safe and trusting environment for you to explore and address your personal concerns.

If you are experiencing a crisis and need immediate support, please contact emergency services by calling 911 or the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. These resources are available 24/7 to provide urgent assistance and connect you with the help you need. I do not provide crisis support, thus, reaching out to these services ensures that you receive timely and appropriate care during critical moments.

If you anticipate ongoing crisis needs, we can discuss whether a different therapist with a more flexible schedule who offers crisis counseling may be a better fit. We will discuss this at intake and assess ongoing.

If you would like to discuss non-urgent matters between sessions, you can reach out to me via email at Luz@healingandesperanza.com or phone at 720-805-6244. I will respond within 48 hours. You can always schedule additional sessions before your next session as well.

If you need to cancel an appointment, please provide notice 24 hours in advance. Any late cancellations or no-shows will result in a charge of $100 for the missed session.