FAQs of Sugar Land Psychological Associates
A psychologist (i.e., “Licensed Psychologist”) is a doctoral-level mental healthcare provider – meaning, in order to be granted a license to practice as a psychologist in the state of Texas, one must have earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree in either Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, or School Psychology.
Additionally, a psychologist must complete a health service psychology internship and a post-doctoral fellowship in order to be eligible to meet licensure requirements. Ultimately, psychologists are experts in emotional, behavioral, personality, and cognitive functioning; we help people who struggle with various thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that may be impacting their ability to function in some important context, such as school, recreational/leisure activities, work, or getting along with other people. Psychologists’ training is focused on the use of relevant psychological sciences, and research and statistics to guide our use of psychological testing/assessment procedures to diagnose and identify suspected mental health problem(s), and once identified, we use evidence-based therapies (counseling) to address those problem(s).
It should be noted that psychologists are the only mental health providers who are competently and legally able to administer, score, and interpret psychological tests in order to produce an integrated psychological report.
There are several mental healthcare providers out there, and it can often seem confusing as to who does what, and what makes one provider different than the other. As previously mentioned above, a psychologist is a doctoral-level mental healthcare provider that is an expert in human behavior who uses psychological assessment, clinical observation, and psychotherapy to identify, diagnose, and treat psychiatric disorders, however, they are not the only ones who treat mental health concerns.
Psychiatrist (M.D. or D.O.): is a doctoral-level mental healthcare provider who is a physician, meaning, they’ve earned either a M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) or D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) degree that allows them to become licensed as a physician, and then undergo four years of residency in psychiatry. Psychiatrists are experts in human behavior and use clinical observation and laboratory tests to identify and diagnose psychiatric disorders, and use medication as their primary method of treatment.
Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA): is a master’s-level mental healthcare provider who earned a master’s degree in clinical or counseling psychology in order to be eligible for licensure as a LPA, and is trained to use clinical observation, psychological testing, and psychotherapy to identify, diagnose, and treat psychiatric disorders. It should be noted that LPAs require supervision by a licensed psychologist in order to practice.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): is a master’s-level mental healthcare provider who earned a master’s degree in social work in order to be eligible for licensure as a LCSW, and is trained to use clinical observation and provide psychotherapy to identify, diagnose, and treat psychiatric disorders. A clinical social worker is also trained to identify other elements in one’s social environment that might be negatively impacting a person’s psycho-social functioning (e.g., problems with housing, jobs, finances, etc.).
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC): is a master’s-level mental healthcare provider who earned a master’s degree in counseling (or some variation on the term “counseling”) in order to be eligible for licensure as a LPC, and is trained to use clinical observation and psychotherapy to identify, diagnose, and treat psychiatric disorders.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT): is a master’s-level mental healthcare provider who earned a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy (or some variation on the term “marriage and family therapy”) in order to be eligible for licensure as a LMFT, and is trained to use clinical observation and psychotherapy to identify, diagnose, and treat difficulties within a marriage, couple, and family where psychiatric challenges my be influencing such discord.
Psychiatric Physician Assistant (PA-C): is a master’s-level mental healthcare provider who earned a master’s degree, typically in “physician assistant studies” (or some variation of the title “physician assistant”) in order to be eligible for licensure as a PA, and is trained from the “medical model” to assist psychiatrists by making use of clinical observation, laboratory tests, and medication to identify, diagnose, and treat psychiatric disorders; all under the supervision of a psychiatrist.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (APRN/PMHNP): is a master’s-level mental healthcare provider who earned a master’s degree in “nursing/nurse practitioner” (or some variation of the title “nurse practitioner”) in order to be eligible for licensure as a APRN/PMHNP, who makes use of clinical observation, laboratory tests, and medication to identify, diagnose, and treat psychiatric disorders. A psychiatric nurse practitioner is trained via the “nursing model,” meaning, they approach the testing, diagnosis, and treatment from a larger framework that incorporates how disease processes influence or, are influenced by the interactions in one’s social environment. Depending on each state, a nurse practitioner may be able to practice independently, or may require supervision by a physician.
A clinical pharmacist is a doctoral-level healthcare provider who earned a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) in order to be eligible for licensure as a pharmacist, and then completed a post-doctoral residency program in clinical pharmacy. In several states as well as the federal government, clinical pharmacists are legally able to operate as primary-care healthcare providers where they can prescribe medications, order and interpret laboratory tests, and more. A clinical pharmacist is an expert in the therapeutic use of medicine, and the anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry of the human body. Clinical pharmacists evaluate medication therapy and make appropriate recommendations to patients and healthcare practitioners. They provide evidence-based information and advice about the safe and effective use of medications, recognize untreated health conditions that could be managed with medication therapy, monitor patient progress with medications and make relevant recommendations to patients about the best way to take medications, and assist in direct care of patients in hospitals and surgeries.
Yes! We are in-network with PPO programs of Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Aetna, Sana Benefits, and their subsidiary companies. To best determine what your health coverage will be, please contact your insurance company directly and they can let you know what you will be paying out of pocket. Prior to beginning your first session with us, you will be required to verify your own insurance; don’t worry, we will provide you a form that has every question you will need to ask your insurance company. Ultimately, payment for services is the patient’s responsibility, thus, should your insurance fail to pay their portion for services rendered by us, the patient is responsible for any outstanding costs.
Coinsurance – A certain percent you must pay each benefit period after you have paid your deductible. This payment is for covered services only. You may still have to pay a copay in addition to the co-insurance. Example: Your plan might cover 80 percent of your medical bill. You will have to pay the other 20 percent. The 20 percent is the coinsurance.
Copayment (Copay) – The amount you pay to a healthcare provider at the time you receive services. You may have to pay a copay for each covered visit to your doctor, depending on your plan. Not all plans have a copay.
Deductible – The amount you pay for your healthcare services before your health insurer pays. Deductibles are based on your benefit period (typically a year at a time). Learn about deductibles here. Example: If your plan has a $2,000 annual deductible, you will be expected to pay the first $2,000 toward your healthcare services. After you reach $2,000, your health insurer will cover the rest of the costs. If this applies to you, then you would be required to pay the contracted rate we have with your insurance company up until you reach your yearly deducible amount before your insurance company will begin paying out a percentage to cover your healthcare costs; for example, once your deductible is met, your insurance will typically pay out a percentage (e.g., 90%) while you would be required pay the remaining percentage (e.g. 10%) of the contracted rate between your insurance company and us.
If we do not accept your insurance at the present moment, then we are considered an out-of-network provider – we can provide you with a “super bill” which you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. Services may be covered in full or in part by your health insurance or employee benefit plan. Please contact your insurance company about your out of network benefits before scheduling an appointment with us.
No we do not.
Yes! Studies show that tele-health appointments are just as effective as in-person (face-to-face) appointments.
