FAQs

While I am physically based in Denver, Colorado, I am a licensed psychologist with PSYPACT authority. As such, I am authorized to provide tele-psychology (online sessions) to clients located in any of the 43+ participating PSYPACT states. For you, this means that you aren’t limited to therapists in your physical geographic area; you can work with me from any PSYPACT-eligible state. It also means that if we start therapy in Colorado and you later move or travel to any PSYPACT-participating state, we can continue our therapeutic relationship without interruption. You can view the current map of PSYPACT states here to confirm your state is included.

I am a fully virtual practice and do not offer in-person services. By working 100% online, I am able to provide high-quality, accessible therapy to clients located anywhere in Colorado and 43 PSYPACT states. I conduct all sessions from a private, secure professional office space on my end to ensure your confidentiality is never compromised.

It means I have been granted the Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT). This is a special credential that verifies I meet high national standards for education, examination, and ethical practice.

Because of this authorization, I am legally permitted to provide tele-therapy to residents in 43 participating states. It offers you 'borderless' mental health care—so if you move or travel between participating states, we don't have to stop our work together. You can view the current map of PSYPACT states here to confirm your state is included.

My fee is $220 per 50-minute session. I accept all major credit cards, as well as HSA and FSA cards, through a secure, HIPAA-compliant billing system.

I am an out-of-network provider for insurance companies. This means I am not on insurance panels and do not bill insurance companies directly. However, I can provide you with a monthly "Superbill" (a detailed receipt based on what you have already paid my practice for sessions) that you can submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement depending on your out-of-network benefits.

TIP:  I recommend calling the number on the back of your insurance card and asking: "What is my out-of-network reimbursement rate for outpatient psychotherapy (CPT code 90834 and 90837)?"

Under the No Surprises Act, you have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost. As a private-pay clinician, I provide this estimate to all individuals as part of the process of becoming a client of my practice. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.

The initial consultation lasts about 20 minutes and is an opportunity for us to get a sense of what you’d like to work on and whether we would be a great fit for each other. I’ll take time to ask you some important questions and you’ll have a chance to ask me questions as well. From here, we can determine if we want to move forward with our first therapy session or if a referral to another provider might be in your best interest.

Based on my experience over two decades, I highly recommend starting with weekly therapy to build a strong therapeutic relationship, and gain momentum on your goals. As you meet your goals, we could decide to meet less regularly. I’ve found that therapy needs can change over time and we can definitely work together on finding the best ways to respond to those needs. The exact length of therapy is truly unique to each client, their goals, resources, and means.

Absolutely. EMDR is a structured protocol, and none of its core phases require us to be in the same physical room. In fact, many clients find that processing difficult memories/experiences from the comfort and safety of their own space helps them feel more regulated and grounded. Research has shown no significant difference in the effectiveness of the treatment whether delivered virtually or in-person.

The short answer is yes. Confidentiality is at the core of the therapeutic relationship. As a psychologist, I am legally and ethically bound by HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and my professional licensing board to protect your privacy. Everything we discuss in our sessions is strictly confidential. I cannot share your information, your diagnosis, or even the fact that you are a client with anyone without your explicit written consent.

There are a few specific situations where the law requires me to break confidentiality. These are designed for the safety of you and the community:

1. Risk of Harm to Self or Others: If I have reason to believe you are in immediate danger of harming yourself or another person, I must take steps to ensure safety.

2. Abuse of Vulnerable Populations: If I learn about the ongoing abuse or neglect of a child, an elderly person, or a dependent adult, I am a "mandated reporter" and must notify the appropriate authorities.

3. Court Orders: In some legal circumstances, a judge may subpoena records. (I always attempt to protect your privacy to the fullest extent of the law in these cases).

If any of these exceptions to confidentiality arise, I will do my best to discuss the limits of confidentiality with you and share my next steps. My priority is consistently to maintain your privacy while ensuring safety and well-being.

I ask that you call or email me at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled appointment to cancel or reschedule. Any appointments cancelled within 48 hours before your scheduled appointment will incur $220 late cancellation fee. In case of true emergencies, please get in touch as soon as possible.

You can call me at 720-295-8067 or email me at drmerchant@essentialdialogues.com. You can also click here to get in touch. I’ll be happy to hear from you!