Question 1

How much does therapy cost?

Accepted Answer

I believe in making therapy as accessible as I can, so I use a sliding-scale fee structure. This means that the folks who can afford to pay more allow me to see others for less. Please see my Services & Pricing (https://www.sarahtellesbo.com/copy-of-services)page for more information and to determine what the cost might be for you.

In addition to my sliding-scale fee structure, I also offer a number of scholarships and pro-bono spots. And if you have out of network benefits, I am happy to provide you with a superbill to submit to your insurance company.

Question 2

Do you accept insurance?

Accepted Answer

I am not in network with any insurance panels. The insurance model does not align with my values as a therapist in two primary ways:

1. Privacy. My client’s privacy is very important to me, particularly in this political climate when sensitive information of all kinds is being increasingly weaponized against people. Insurance demands information that I don’t feel comfortable sharing with them for the safety and security of my clients. 
2. Decision Making. Insurance companies often dictate the course of treatment in rigid and detrimental ways to avoid paying for services; they determine everything from how often we meet and how long our sessions will be, to what diagnoses they’ll cover, and even whether they think you need therapy at all. This is misaligned with the ethics of modern mental health care and what we know truly helps people.

Question 3

Can I use my HSA card to pay for therapy?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you sure can! I accept credit cards, debit cards, and HSA/FSA cards.

Question 4

Do you provide virtual or in-person therapy?

Accepted Answer

I offer both, depending on where you live!

I am licensed in both Utah and California, which means that I can see folks in either place. If you live in Utah, you’re welcome to meet with me virtually or in-person if you’re near my office in Murray. If you live in California, we’ll meet virtually.

Question 5

What kinds of modalities do you use?

Accepted Answer

Because you are a unique individual with unique needs and circumstances, I believe that therapy should be tailored to you. Instead of using a one-size-fits-all or cookie cutter approach, I pull from a number of modalities to make sure we figure out the tools and interventions that work best for you!

The modalities that I most frequently pull from include Feminist-Multicultural Therapy, Sex Therapy, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Humanistic Therapy, Parts Work, and Existential Therapy, among others.

Question 6

Do you use AI in your practice?

Accepted Answer

Nope!  There are now AI products available to do things like record and transcribe sessions, to do note-taking, and to complete documentation. That said, I feel strongly that we should not be incorporating these into the therapeutic space for a number of reasons. There are huge privacy risks associated with these tools in addition to the broader social and environmental consequences of AI use.

Question 7

How can I submit feedback and can I do it anonymously?

Accepted Answer

I am always interested in improving my practice, skills, and services and I welcome any and all feedback. You are always welcome to send me a direct email, talk to me in session, or use the feedback form on my website. This form (located at the bottom of the Contact (https://www.sarahtellesbo.com/contact)page) is fully anonymous unless you choose to share your contact information.

Question 8

Are there services you don’t provide or diagnoses you don’t work with?

Accepted Answer

Of course! No therapist can specialize in everything, which is why we have so many different kinds of therapy.

Services I don’t provide include:

1. Court-mandated treatment / forensic evaluations
2. ADHD / Autism evaluation / screening 
3. Anger management as a primary target of treatment

Additionally, there are a few issues that folks might bring to therapy that aren’t within my wheelhouse. These include:

1. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
2. Active Psychotic Disorders
3. Active Substance Dependence 
4. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
5. Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

While having one or more of these diagnoses of concerns doesn’t necessarily mean we can’t work together, I may refer you to another provider after our consultation if I feel that you’d be better served by someone who has more expertise in these areas than I do.

Frequently Asked Questions