Sarah DeSantis, LCSW
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions- Virtual Therapy in Florida
1. Do you accept insurance?
This is a self-pay virtual therapy practice in Florida. Operating outside of insurance allows for greater privacy, flexibility, and individualized care.
Benefits of self-pay therapy include:
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No requirement to share clinical information with insurance companies
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No mandatory diagnosis solely for coverage purposes
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No session caps or pre-authorization requirements
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Treatment guided by clinical need rather than insurance limitations
This model allows therapy to focus on depth, consistency, and personalized treatment planning.
2. Can I use my insurance for out-of-network reimbursement?
Many insurance plans offer out-of-network mental health benefits. While I do not bill insurance directly, clients can receive a superbill and submit the superbill to their insurance provider for potential reimbursement. Reimbursement rates vary by plan.
3. Are sessions fully virtual?
Yes. At this time, all therapy sessions are provided via secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth to clients located in Florida.
Virtual therapy allows for increased accessibility, privacy, and scheduling flexibility while maintaining clinical effectiveness.
4. What is the cancellation policy?
A minimum of 24 hours notice is required for cancellations or rescheduling. Late cancellations or missed appointments may be subject to a fee.
5. What should I expect in the first session and future sessions?
The initial session focuses on gathering background information, establishing rapport, completing necessary assessments, and goal setting.
Areas typically discussed include:
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Presenting concerns
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Relevant history
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Current stressors and functioning
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Treatment goals
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Questions about the therapeutic process
Ongoing sessions are collaborative and tailored to individual clinical needs, which may include skill development, insight-oriented work, trauma processing, behavioral change strategies, or relational pattern exploration.
6. Why pursue therapy if AI tools are available?
Psychotherapy offers additional components that AI cannot replicate, including:
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A real-time therapeutic relationship
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Clinical assessment and diagnostic formulation
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Emotional attunement and responsiveness
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Nervous system co-regulation
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Relational pattern repair
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Long-term treatment planning and accountability
AI may complement personal growth efforts; psychotherapy provides structured, clinically informed, relational treatment.
​​​​​​​Next Steps
If you are seeking self-pay virtual therapy in Florida and would like to schedule a consultation or initial session, please reach out through the contact page.