FAQ
Where is your office located?
What are your hours?
How long are the sessions?
50 minutes
Do you take insurance?
I accept some insurances for clients in Texas, including United, Aetna, and Optum insurances. I am out of network for clients in Montana.
For clients who are out of network, I am happy to provide a superbill upon request. Clients can use the superbill to request reimbursement from their insurance company. Please check your out-of-network benefits for more information.
How do I set up an appointment?
Call (512) 256-0189, and we can start with a free 15-minute phone consultation to talk about what you want out of therapy and see if we may be a good fit to work together. If we’re a good fit, we’ll schedule your first session.
I may be in session if I don’t answer your call, so please leave me a message. I’ll call you back as soon as I can. You can also email me at contact@stephanibradfordcounseling.com, or fill out the contact form below to schedule a time to chat.
What is your cancellation policy?
I ask that clients let me know 24 hours in advance if they need to cancel or reschedule an appointment. If you cancel or reschedule with less than 24 hours’ notice, you’ll be responsible for the full fee of the session.
What are the age ranges of your clients?
Do you work with men, women, or couples?
How is working with you different from working with other therapists?
A number of my clients have worked with other therapists previously. While they appreciated that their therapist was a “good listener” and very kind, they felt they needed something more.
In addition to being a good listener, I can help you learn coping skills and set up healthy habits to help you feel better between sessions. I also offer EMDR, which can help lessen anxiety, depression, and self-esteem issues.
Do your clients receive assignments to work on between sessions?
Sometimes! At times that could involve using sleep hygiene techniques to get better sleep during the week or trying out a new coping skill for anxiety.
Sometimes, my clients like to see me as an accountability partner for specific goals they’re working on, like getting more exercise or other important things. Any homework I assign will pertain to engaging in self-care over the week, being kind to yourself, or considering what will bring you the most happiness when making choices
What modalities do you use in your work?
I incorporate Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), attachment theory, grounding skills, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) in my practice.
What do you do in your sessions with clients?
The format of my sessions depends on what you and I think will be most helpful to you – some of my clients like learning concrete skills to practice between sessions. Many also like to problem solve or talk out something stressful that’s happened.
Some of us are verbal processors and can sort out things troubling us by talking to someone about them. With my clients who come to me for EMDR, we often do reprocessing, but can still take a break now and then to talk if needed.
Have you seen positive results from EMDR?
Yes! I’m a big fan of EMDR. It’s a wonderful modality that I’ve personally witnessed help people come to peace with heavy stuff, even if it happened a long time ago.
EMDR is great for my clients who say, “I know in my head that I’m okay now, it wasn’t my fault, there’s nothing to worry about, etc., but I still don’t feel it.” EMDR addresses that disconnect to help you feel that sense of relief and peace.
If I work through my trauma, does that mean I'm saying it's okay that it happened, wasn't a big deal, I forgive this person, or still don't need help?
Is it okay if I've never done therapy before and feel like I don't know how to "do" therapy?
Absolutely! We’ll figure out what you need together. Therapy is a team effort, and I’ll rely on your feedback about what is most helpful as we work together.
Will you tell me I need to start going to yoga, become a vegan, or meditate for an hour a day?
No – unless those things are important to you. I don’t do any of those, although I was a vegetarian for a while!
What if I want to talk about sex?
Totally okay! No topic is off-limits in therapy. Sex is a big deal and something I’m very comfortable talking about with clients. I consider myself a sex-positive therapist.
Do you work with LGBTQ+ folks?
Absolutely. I’ve worked with gay, bi, trans, aero/ace clients and individuals questioning all those things.
Therapy is where you can talk about and explore all those things without feeling you need to present in a certain way.
I keep hearing about "self-care," What does that even mean?
Self-care is pretty much anything that fills your emotional “cup.” Sometimes, that’s setting up your body to feel good, like getting enough sleep or taking a shower.
Self-care can also mean being responsible and getting things done, so it’s not hanging over your head, like doing the laundry.
Sometimes, it’s something that you do that’s relaxing or fun, like going out with friends, playing a video game, gardening, getting some sun, or going on a walk.
At other times, the best self-care is saying “no” to things you don’t want to do.
Do you have pets?
I do! I have two sweet, goofball cats who may even appear during a session. I also love to say ‘hi’ to my clients’ pets when they show up!