Frequently Asked Questions

Seeking mental health counseling can be intimidating. I have gathered commonly shared questions to support you choosing the best services for you and/or your loved ones. Don't find your question below? Hit the "Contact Me" button to reach out directly to me.

Contact Me

How much does a session cost?

A typical counseling session costs $125 per clinical hour (50 minutes). However, I value access to mental health care. Therefore, I have a sliding scale which I encourage clients to opt-into at their need. For individual sessions, you may choose the $75, $100, or $125 per hour fee. Additionally, I am partnered with Open Path for further reduced fees.

What can I expect in a counseling session?

I understand counseling primarily from a Person-Centered approach. This means that I trust the client to be the expert in the life he/she/they live. Therefore, the first 4-6 sessions can be understood as relationship building between the client and counselor. The 50-minutes together may include your questions or concerns, my questions about the your daily living, reflections about what I hear you sharing, and occasional activities to support self-awareness, emotional regulation, and daily functioning.

How long does counseling last?

Sessions:
A "clinical hour" in counseling is 50-minutes long. Therefore, each session is 50-minutes long, unless the client requests an intensive. Intensives may last between 90-150 minutes.

Duration:
Additionally, counseling relationships last as long as the client feels benefit and wellness within the sessions. Therefore, I trust the client to determine if short-term (approx. 3 months at a weekly rhythm), moderate (approx. 6 months), or long-term (1 year+) is best.

Frequency:
Depending on the client's presenting concerns, I will suggest frequency of sessions from weekly, bi-weekly, to monthly visits. Typically, we start weekly then decrease frequency as progress is experienced by the client.

Who are your typical clients?

I have experience seeing clients from a variety of socioeconomic statuses, races, ethnicities, ages, disabilities, religious/spiritual backgrounds, sexualities, gender identities, presenting concerns, etc. Primarily, I work with adolescents (13-17), young adults, adults, and older adults.
Currently, I do not see clients under the age of 13. However, I am happy to connect interested clients from these populations with a clinician I trust.

Do you offer telehealth?

Yes, I do offer telehealth sessions.
Due to licensure laws and best practices from the State of Tennessee, clients must be within Tennessee's border during therapy sessions.

When and where do you see clients?

Currently, I have in-person availability on Fridays in Brentwood, TN and Saturdays in Franklin, TN. I see clients via telehealth typically on Fridays or Saturdays. However, I have flexibility to provide virtual sessions on alternative weekday evenings.

What does your licensure mean?

I am a pre-licensed counselor. Therefore, I am under supervision with a licensed clinician as I complete my hours towards individual licensure. I am pursuing an LPC-MHSP licensure. This stands for Licensed Professional Counselor with Mental Health Service Provider. Once fully licensed, the licensure means that I will be able to diagnose clients who desire a mental health diagnosis. Additionally, the LPC-MHSP training looks primarily at the individual, his/her/their symptomalogy, and daily functioning impacted. Then, we recognize more of the client's environment, family system, etc.

Additional licensures you may see providing counseling or therapy are: LMFT (Licensed Marriage Family Therapist), LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker), PsyD, LCP (Doctorate in Psychology, Licensed Clinical Psychologist), M.D.-Psychiatrist (Medical Doctor in Psychiatry). All providers can offer counseling or therapy. However, only Psychiatrists can prescribe medication. Additionally, Licensed Clinical Psychologists can offer greater assessments to determine diagnoses.

More information on a variety of licensures can be found here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Evan Richardson, MDiv, MS, NCC