Quick Links to Questions and Answers:

1. What does it mean to be neurodivergent?

2. What is your cancellation and reschedule policy?

3. Do you accept insurance?

4. What if I am looking for therapy within a budget of $30 - $70?

5. Will I have access to captions during virtual sessions?

6. How long will I be in therapy for?

7. Where can I find referrals for a therapist who might be a good fit?

1. What does it mean to be neurodivergent?

• • Neurodivergent is a term that refers to the concept that neurological differences are natural and should be recognized and respected as a normal variation of human diversity. These terms recognize that the human brain is wired differently for each individual, and these differences contribute to diverse perspectives and abilities.

  • The term "neurodivergent" is credited to be crafted by Kassiane Asasumasu, who created the word to mean "neurologically divergent from typical." Kassiane elaborates that this word is meant to be used as a tool of inclusion, not exclusion, and states:

"I am multiply neurodivergent: I’m Autistic, epileptic, have PTSD, have cluster headaches, have a chiari malformation. Neurodivergent just means a brain that diverges. Autistic people. ADHD people. People with learning disabilities. Epileptic people. People with mental illnesses. People with MS or Parkinsons or apraxia or cerebral palsy or dyspraxia or no specific diagnosis but wonky lateralization or something."

• Judy Singer credits and acknowledges Kassiane Asasumasu as coining the word "neurodivergent" in her blog, "Reflections on Neurodiversity." You can see this acknowledgment made by Singer in the middle of this blog entry: Neurodivergent from what, exactly? posted on Thursday, October 10th, 2019.

2. What is your cancellation and reschedule policy?

• • Out of respect for you, myself, and additional clients, I maintain a 24-hour reschedule and cancellation policy for appointments. Unless prior arrangements are mutually agreed upon and documented in writing, all no-shows, reschedules, and/or cancellations made 24 hours or less from the scheduled appointment time will be charged the full session fee. Your adherence to this policy allows us to maintain your reserved slot and ensures a seamless experience for you, myself, and other clients in my practice.

3. Do you accept insurance?

• • I do not accept insurance. You can read more here about the benefits of paying out of pocket.

4. What if I am looking for therapy with a budget of $30 - $70?

• • If your budget is within $30 to $70 per session, please take a look at Open Path Collective. There are many great therapists who partner with them. A good fit in therapy does not mean you have to pay above your means. Please keep this in mind as you look for a provider. If you are located near any colleges or universities (MSU, Oakland University, EMU, etc) you may qualify for free or significantly reduced (less than $30) fee sessions from current mental health students.

5. Will I have access to captions during virtual sessions?

• • Yes, I use Google Meet and Zoom. Both of these HIPAA compliant platforms offer live captions.

6. How long will I be in therapy for?

• • The number of sessions you may require cannot be precisely determined in advance, as the duration of our work together is dependent on multiple factors unique to your circumstances, needs, and experiences. Therapy is a personalized journey and like any other relationship, time is essential in building a therapeutic bond. Developing a clearer and more comprehensive understanding of your needs and desires will take some time and exploration. 

  • On average, many clients work with me for a year or more. While this is the average, do note that we can meet for weeks, months, or years depending on your circumstances, desires, and goals. Within the first few sessions, we should both have an idea if my services are a good fit for your needs at this time. Depending on the factors that lead you to my services, we may find that our work comes to a natural end for a variety of reasons. The duration and frequency of your therapy sessions may be influenced by many factors, including but not limited to:

    • • • Scheduling availability: You or I may have limited availability. Being able to meet consistently will be important in our work together. If scheduling difficulties arise, that could impact the duration of our work.

        • Current life experiences: Your dynamic life is subject to various demands, such as work commitments, family responsibilities, and impactful life events. These changes can influence and shape our therapeutic work together, and it's important to acknowledge and explore how they may impact your current therapeutic needs.

        • Complexity and depth of the topics we explore: Some topic or themes may require more extensive exploration and time to explore. If you are dealing with complex or long-standing patterns, it may be beneficial to have more frequent or longer therapy sessions to address them effectively.

        • Your personal goals and desired outcomes: Your therapy goals and what you hope to achieve through therapy play a significant role in determining the duration and frequency of sessions. We may regularly check in with your experiences and needs to adjust our therapeutic focus.

        • Changes that may affect your ability to attend or engage in therapy: Life circumstances can arise, such as job transitions, travel commitments, or personal emergencies, which may potentially impact your availability or ability to attend therapy sessions. It is essential to communicate any changes promptly so that we can make appropriate adjustments.

        • Need for specialized assessments or interventions: Depending on your specific therapeutic needs, you may benefit from additional assessments or specialized interventions that go beyond my scope of practice. If this arises, I may refer you to other professionals who can provide the necessary support. Collaborating with these professionals and scheduling separate sessions may be required to address your specific concerns effectively. It's important to prioritize your well-being, even if it means pausing or terminating our work together to ensure you receive the appropriate care and resources.

        • Your own motivation and commitment to the therapeutic process: The duration and outcomes of therapy are greatly influenced by your resources, motivation, and commitment. Your active participation, willingness to engage in therapeutic exercises, and openness to exploring personal growth contribute significantly to the duration and impact fulness of our work together.

        • Your personal finances and financial resources: It's essential to consider the financial aspect of my services when determining the duration and frequency of sessions. We can discuss options that align with your budget and explore ways to make therapy affordable and sustainable for you, even if that means looking at other low-cost providers or therapy services.

  • Regardless of the number of sessions we have, my aim is to support your individual needs to the best of my ability. Together, we will collaborate to work towards meeting your goals and make every effort to ensure that our time together is valuable and effective for you.

7. Where can I find referrals for a therapist who might be a good fit?

• In this order, I recommend the following directories to find therapists:

1. Inclusive Therapists (Are you a therapist and would like to show me support? You may mention me when signing up: Monica Fischer Member ID #4547)

2. MI Resource *Please note this specific link takes you to a more detailed search

3. ND Therapists

4. Mental Health Match (Are you a therapist and would like to show me support? You may use my referal code when signing up to get an extra free month on top of the current free month trial: CXN15117K15)

Are you a neurodivergent affirming provider who would like to be added to my personal referral list? If so, please email your contact information and services provided (therapy, ADHD testing, etc) to: directory@relationshipswithmonica.com