Frequently Asked Questions

I do not participate with any insurance plans. However, you may be eligible for some reimbursement from your insurance company by using your out-of-network benefits. At your request, I can provide receipts that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement using your out-of-network benefits. You can also use your Health Savings Account, Flexible Savings Account, or Health Reimbursement Account debit card to pay for the cost of therapy or testing.

The fee for a 50-minute therapy session is $225. The fee for a 75-minute intake session is $350.

The fee for each type of evaluation is listed below. Before scheduling testing, we will talk together about which type of evaluation will best meet your needs. IQ Testing: $550 (age 5) to $700 (ages 6 +) Adult ADHD Evaluation: $2,800 Psychoeducational Evaluation: $3,800 Social-Emotional Evaluation: $3,800 Comprehensive Psychological Evaluation: $4,500 (ages 5-17) to $5,000 (ages 18 +) While testing is an investment of time and money, the costs of addressing the wrong problems or pursuing the wrong treatments are even higher. By getting a correct diagnosis and the right treatment plan, you will know what you / your child really needs so that you can focus your efforts and get results faster. For young children, getting a proper diagnosis early means that they are more likely to reach their potential and less likely to struggle with frustration and self-doubt. The fee for psychological testing covers everything involved, including: Intake session Testing sessions Record review Collaboration with your other providers Comprehensive written report Feedback session Payment schedule: The evaluation fee is split into three payments. The first payment is a non-refundable deposit of $400. This payment is required to schedule your evaluation, and it covers the cost of the intake session. The remaining evaluation fee is split into two equal payments: one payment is due at the end of the intake session, and one is due at the final testing session. Insurance: I do not participate with any insurance plans. However, you may be eligible for some reimbursement from your insurance company by using your out-of-network benefits. You can also use your Health Savings Account, Flexible Savings Account, or Health Reimbursement Account debit card to pay for the cost of testing.

Call, email, or fill out the contact form. We will schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation to discuss what’s on your mind and make sure that I am the right fit for you or your child. We can then schedule an intake session. During this first meeting, we will discuss your concerns, symptoms, and goals. At the end of the session, I will give you my impressions and recommendations for the most helpful next steps. If therapy is recommended and you feel that I am the right fit for you or your child, we can schedule follow-up therapy sessions at that time. If testing is recommended, we will develop a plan for the testing and schedule the testing session(s).

Start the conversation by letting your child know that everyone has things they are good at, and things that are hard for them. Let them know that the point of testing is to help find out about all of their skills and talents so that they can focus more on those things. Then, tell them that testing will also help you find out what is more challenging for them and why so that you and their teachers, tutor, or therapist can help make things easier for them. The information that we will learn from testing can help make school less difficult and more fun and rewarding. If your child has some awareness of their challenges, it is helpful to acknowledge that and talk about how the testing will help find ways to make that better. For example, "I know you don't like reading because it is hard for you. We're going to do some testing to find out why it is hard and what we can do to make it easier for you." It can also help to give your child an idea of what to expect during the testing sessions. Tell them when the sessions will be and how long they'll last. Let them know that they will be meeting one-on-one with Dr. Howard, who is like a teacher. Let them know that they will do a lot of different things. Some things will be fun and interesting, and others might be hard. That's OK because everything they will do will only last a short time. Let them know that they'll also talk about themselves, such as their friends, their feelings, things they like, and things they don't like. Encourage them to ask questions. If they ask a question that you don't know the answer to, send me an email! I'll be happy to help.

It’s up to you! I see clients in-person in my Reston, Virginia office. I am also available to see clients online. I offer online therapy to clients throughout Virginia and in PSYPACT-participating states. To see a full list of states that participate in PSYPACT, follow this link: https://psypact.org/mpage/psypactmap

It is important to find a private space in your home so that you do not need to worry about being overheard. It is also important to have a reliable internet connection. For online therapy sessions, I use Simple Practice - a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. Before the start of each therapy session, you will receive an email with a unique link for your appointment. If you are accessing your therapy session from your computer, there's no need to download any app or program; just click on the link at your appointment time and access the appointment through your web browser. If you are using a phone for your session, you will need to download the "Telehealth by Simple Practice" app.

I understand that plans change and that you might need to reschedule or cancel an appointment. I am happy to reschedule or cancel therapy sessions, but I require at least 48 hours' notice. The full fee will be due for therapy sessions canceled with less than 48 hours' notice.

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who do not have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services. If you do not have insurance OR you do not plan to use your insurance plan’s out-of-network benefits for services you receive from Dr. Christine Howard at Evermay Psychology, please read the following information: • You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any nonemergency services, including an initial consultation, therapy, and psychological testing. • Dr. Howard will give you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your scheduled service. You can also ask Dr. Howard, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service. • If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. • Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.