Frequently Asked Questions

Forward Outlook Counseling in Lansing, MI specializes in Therapy for Women, Therapy for College Students, Anxiety Therapy, Trauma Therapy, Relationship Therapy, and Therapy for Narcissistic Abuse.

Online therapy works just like in-person therapy, except we’ll meet via a secure, HIPAA compliant Zoom meeting for our sessions. Many of my clients choose to meet virtually either because they live outside of Lansing, MI or because virtual appointments are most convenient for their busy schedules. You’ll receive a secure link via email before each session, and log on using the link from a private location of your choice with reliable wifi. I offer online therapy throughout Michigan.

Insurances Accepted:

Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS)

Blue Care Network (BCN)

Aetna

McLaren

Priority Health

United Healthcare 

Please verify your health insurance coverage with me.

*I am not a Medicaid provider, and due to federal regulations I am unable to provide services to Medicaid and Medicare recipients.

Self Pay Rates:

Initial Individual Session: $160

Subsequent Individual Sessions: $140

Co-Pays:

Typically co-pays run around $15-30 per session after a deductible is met. If you're unsure of the details of your plan or have any insurance related questions please contact your insurance company. The number to call can be found on the back of your insurance card.

The length of time you’ll spend in therapy can vary greatly, depending on the problems you’re seeking help with, your goals, and your desires. I’m dedicated to getting you results in the most efficient and effective way possible, which looks different for each individual. Some clients I work with want to invest in an ongoing process over time, either getting to know themselves very deeply with the goal of moving towards greater growth and health, working through a significant amount of early childhood or very complex trauma, or coping with an ongoing difficult situation in their lives. When these are the goals or desires you come to therapy with, we may work together for many months or even years.

Other clients I work with prefer to move more quickly. Sometimes this is because time constraints make long term therapy difficult, and other times this is because their symptoms are negatively impacting their quality of life and they need to experience relief and results quickly. We will work together in a focused way to meet specific goals over a reduced period of time to accelerate progress.

My approach to therapy is highly individualized, so the answer to this question will depend on several factors specific to you. I consider the time you have to devote to therapy, and the goals you’re wanting to reach in therapy, and then we collaborate to create a plan and determine what meeting frequency is optimal for you. Most of my clients come weekly and bi-weekly, 55 minutes per session. I recommend committing to meeting weekly for our first 4-6 sessions because so much of the success of therapy depends on the relationship we build, and it can be hard to create connection and build momentum at the beginning without consistent meetings. After our initial sessions you will typically be feeling some relief, and then we can reevaluate if meeting less frequently works for your needs.

My clients often tell me that they’ve been to therapy before, but did not experience the same progress and results that they do in our work together. I am very committed to making this process a success for you, and some things I offer that are unique include:

I bring 7 years of experience as a practicing therapist to the process. There isn’t much I haven’t heard and you can bring anything into our sessions. I will choose from a variety of approaches and evidence based practices that are specifically tailored to your history, needs, and goals so that you can go beyond just talking or coping to deeper healing and lasting change.

Many people are intimidated by the thoughts of starting therapy. There can be a lot of fears about what to expect. I hope to make things as comfortable and relaxing for you as possible. During the first session, we will discuss your hopes for counseling and explore what your goals are. Sessions are 55 minutes long. There will be some basic paperwork to complete before the first session. It can also be helpful to write down any questions you have to bring into the first session.

A minimum of 48 hours notice is required to cancel or reschedule a session to avoid being charged the full late cancellation fee. I stick to this policy strictly, regardless of the reason for the cancellation, because I commit our scheduled time to you specifically and am generally unable to fill the time slot on such short notice.

I know that life happens and sometimes a cancellation is unavoidable. In the event that you’re unable to make it to a scheduled session or provide 48 hours notice to cancel, I offer the following option:

• If illness or weather keeps you from being able to come to an appointment , we can switch to a phone or Zoom meeting instead of in-person, even if it’s last minute.

I am licensed to provide therapy to clients throughout Michigan. Clients must be physically located in Michigan during the time that the session occurs.

You can contact me to schedule a free 15 minute phone consultation, and I’ll return your call or email within 48 hours.

Finding a therapist can be a confusing process, making the first phone call can be daunting, and going to a first session can be downright anxiety provoking.

I get it.

I try to make the process as easy and comfortable as possible. our first interaction is a no pressure, no obligation, free 15 minute phone consultation so that we can get to know a little about each other and make sure we’re a good fit for therapy. I’ll ask for a brief overview of what you’re seeking help with-you don’t have to give me all the details, I just want to make sure I’m the right person to help get you where you’re wanting to go. I’ll listen, and then explain how I can help you resolve the issues you’re having, as well as what to expect in the process of therapy. You can ask me any questions you have.

That’s it!

I hope you’ll reach out- I’m here to help!

You have the right to recieve a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining hwo much your medical and mental health care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurane an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask any health care provider for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service. If you recieve a bill tha tis at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.

Sarah Smithers, LMSW, at Forward Outlook Counseling, LLC in Lansing, MI provides both in-person and online sessions for women and college students struggling with anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, and narcissistic abuse in Lansing, MI and online across MI.

Sarah Smithers, LMSW, at Forward Outlook Counseling, LLC in Lansing, MI provides both in-person and online sessions for women struggling with anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, and narcissistic abuse in Lansing, MI and online across MI.

Sarah Smithers, LMSW, at Forward Outlook Counseling, LLC in Lansing, MI provides both in-person and online sessions for college students struggling with relationship issues.

Sarah Smithers, LMSW, at Forward Outlook Counseling, LLC in Lansing, MI provides both in-person and online sessions for women and college students struggling with anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, and narcissistic abuse in Lansing, MI and online across MI.

Sarah Smithers, LMSW, at Forward Outlook Counseling, LLC in Lansing, MI offers a free initial 15-minute phone consultation.