FAQ
Where is your office?
12627 San Jose Blvd
STE 301,
Jacksonville, FL 32223
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Illuminate+Mental+Health,+PA/@30.1380971,-81.631788,15z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x88e5cf0efe71e135:0x88a5fa630dce22bf!8m2!3d30.1380971!4d-81.631788!16s%2Fg%2F11vrkxwxsg?entry=ttu
Do you accept insurance?
YES WE DO! We currently take Aetna and Cigna.
Additionally, we are able to see Tricare patients, but work through a company called Telemynd (https://www.telemynd.com/). Contact Telemynd for this insurance and ask for Matt or Amanda. **We can still provide a free consultation prior if you prefer.)
What is the cancellation policy?
We require that you give a 24-hour notice to cancel or reschedule. We charge 50% of your rate if a no-show or late cancellation occurs.
**THAT SAID, we get it when some things happen beyond our control, and we may not issue a charge depending on what happened.
How do I set up an initial appointment?
Give us a call or send us an email! We offer a free 20-minute consultation, and that’s our chance to see if we are a good fit.
With what age ranges do you work?
Amanda primarily works with ages 16 to 65.
Matt works primarily with ages 8 to 65. Anything younger than age 10 is on a case-by-case basis, mostly needing trauma care.
What modalities do you use?
We don’t believe in having an iron grip on any method, as each person’s therapy needs are unique. We use evidence-based and mindfulness-based treatments that focus heavily on identity and living by your values.
Amanda mainly uses Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Dialectic Behavioral Therapy methods.
Matt primarily uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. He is state certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, which is trauma care for children and adolescents.
We also have training in nonverbal therapies, such as art making.
Will I have to do homework?
What kinds of things do your most successful clients do?
What is your policy on writing therapist's letters?
We do write them! We feel that providing a letter can sometimes work in your (or your child’s) best interest. We write letters that 1) summarize and give proof of mental health care, help a child/teen stay in a certain school, or gain access to specific treatments or opportunities. But this is only on a case-by-case basis and will typically cost an additional fee.
*We do not provide letters for pets to stay in rented dwellings or for emotional support animals. We do not provide letters to receive medical marijuana or psychedelic treatments. We also do not complete government packets or forms to obtain disability support.
**We only write letters for existing clients who fully participate in at least four scheduled appointments and follow a treatment plan. There are therapists out there who provide letters after a single appointment for a nominal fee. We don’t provide such a service.
So how long does this stuff take?
We wish we could answer that, but truthfully it depends on your treatment needs, your motivation, and what kind of outcomes you’re after. We try to get that squared away in the first or second appointment!
Is this the type of therapy where I lie back on a couch and talk about my feelings for an hour straight while you stare at me and jot notes on a clipboard?
Look, every therapist has an approach that works for many people, but not everyone. And some folks benefit best from a therapist that speaks very little. That’s just not our style. Most of our clients often say, “Wow, I didn’t realize therapy could be like this!”
We pride ourselves on being warm, tranquil, interactive, easy to talk to, encouraging, and humorous! We know how intimidating starting with a new therapist can be, let alone feeling comfortable enough to be open! We want your therapeutic experience to be as helpful and enjoyable as possible.