In your first therapy session, your therapist will conduct an initial intake to assess your needs and objectives and determine your treatment plan.  Thereafter, you may schedule standard therapy sessions, which are 45 minutes long, or extended therapy sessions, which are 60 minutes long.  Therapy sessions are unique to the individual, based on their specific needs and objectives, and often involves discussing issues, concerns, and aspects of your life that may cause discomfort.  However, therapy has been shown to lead to reductions in feelings of distress or disturbing thoughts and improved well-being.

The duration of treatment and the frequency of therapy sessions will vary between individuals based on their specific needs and objectives.  The duration of your treatment may be short-term, lasting several therapy sessions, or long-term, lasting several months or years.  The frequency of your therapy sessions may be once per week, more than once per week, or less than once per week.

Yes, there are typically exercises outside of therapy sessions, as instructed by your therapist.  Effective treatment through therapy requires your engagement and active effort, both during and between therapy sessions.

Seeking therapy is a sign of strength and a proactive way to stay healthy, both mentally and emotionally.  Military service members are encouraged to care for their mental health, and there is increasingly greater emphasis within the military on the importance of mental health and reducing the stigma associated with seeking mental health support.

For effective treatment through therapy, it is important that you are comfortable with your therapist.  We are happy to schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation session to see if we are best-suited to treat you, considering your individual needs and objectives.

Yes, your communications to us and during therapy sessions are kept private and confidential.  However, there are certain circumstances that may necessitate disclosure, such as a danger of harming oneself or others, as outlined in our Notice of Privacy Practices.

We offer therapy both in-person and in a virtual setting through a secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform, based on your preferences and availability.

We offer therapy both in-person and in a virtual setting through a secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform.  Studies have found that telehealth is comparable to in-person services when it comes to mental health.  Telehealth also offers certain benefits, such as a greater likelihood for continuity of care, increased accessibility and convenience, flexible scheduling, and decreased costs associated with transportation, child care, and time off to attend appointments.

You must have a computer and a high-speed, reliable Internet connection capable of supporting our telehealth platform, including the capability for real-time transmission of video and audio.  You must also take measures to maintain your privacy, including being in a private, secure location when receiving our services through telehealth.

That's okay!  A good fit is important for effective treatment, and adjustments can be made.  You can also request another therapist or we can provide a referral to another provider.  You also have the right to discontinue treatment with us at any time.

We are a military-focused provider and, as such, we accept TRICARE as an in-network provider.  We are happy to assist you in verifying your TRICARE coverage, ensuring eligibility for therapy benefits, and obtaining any necessary pre-authorizations or referrals. You may also choose to “self-pay” for services if you do not wish to use a health plan offered by TRICARE.

If you have insurance coverage other than TRICARE, please contact us to see if your insurance plan is accepted. We can also assist you with reimbursement by providing documentation for your out-of-network claims submitted to your insurance provider.

If you are unable to attend a therapy session, you must communicate your cancellation to us at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled therapy session.  Otherwise, you may be assessed a “no-show” fee.

Contact us by calling or texting (201) 389-8883, by e-mailing us at info@formationhealthservices.com, or using the form on our “Contact Us” page.

Referrals are made to connect you with tools to manage stress, life transitions, grief, trauma, or other concerns.  Therapy is part of maintaining readiness.

No, your communications to us and during therapy sessions are kept private and confidential unless circumstances necessitate disclosure, such as a danger of harming oneself or others, as outlined in our Notice of Privacy Practices.  You are also not required to tell your supervisor or commander unless you choose to.  In rare mission-impacting cases, disclosure may occur under the Military Command Exception of HIPAA.  However, such disclosure is limited to authorized activities (e.g., fitness for duty determinations, essential for the military mission) and to appropriate military authorities.  Further, the Military Command Exception does not permit your supervisor or commander to directly access a service member’s records, unless otherwise authorized by you or the HIPAA Privacy Rule.

No, your therapy sessions and any communications to us are kept private and confidential unless circumstances necessitate disclosure, such as a danger of harming oneself or others, as outlined in our Notice of Privacy Practices.  Where there is a serious duty-impacting diagnosis, disclosure may be made under the Military Command Exception of HIPAA, which may be documented in your military record.

Seeking therapy, on its own, will not affect your ability to do your job, your deployability, or stop your promotion.  Seeking therapy early often prevents more serious issues that may be duty-limiting or may impact your deployability.  Further, losing or disqualification for security clearance based on mental health treatment is unlikely.  Leaders are encouraged to support service members who prioritize their well-being, and there is increasingly greater emphasis within the military on the importance of mental health and reducing the stigma associated with seeking mental health support.

Therapy is not typically a reason for a delay of your PCS.  In some cases, it may be advisable to delay a PCS due to a mental health condition if, for example, stabilization before relocation is required or there are concerns with continuity of care at the new PCS destination.

Yes.  Seeking or receiving therapy does not prevent transfer between military components.

No.  Mental health treatment is private and confidential and is not a factor in most employment screenings.

Seeking therapy, by itself, will not cause you to lose earned benefits.  Early intervention through therapy may help with conditions that may, if left untreated, affect your ability to perform your duties, thereby protecting your benefits.