FAQs
-
I am not offering in-person sessions at this time.
To schedule an appointment or a complimentary 15-minute consultation, you can call, text, and email, or you can view my schedule and book directly through the online client portal found in the menu of this website.
gabriellapatronella@untamedgrowth.life
(713) 377-3335 -
Therapy is a unique journey, shaped by your individual struggles and needs. I meet you exactly where you are, following your lead as we explore what brings you to counseling and the changes you are seeking. Together, we will build a safe space rooted in trust and vulnerability, where I am as authentic and honest with you as you are with me.
In our sessions, I will guide you to reflect on the life experiences that have shaped who you are, working to change negative core beliefs that do not serve you. I will gently challenge you to step beyond your comfort zone, promoting meaningful growth. Alongside this introspective work, I will equip you with practical coping strategies and self-care practices to manage stress and cultivate a fulfilling life. Reflection and skill-building does not end in session—I will empower you to apply these tools in your everyday life, using positive reinforcement to rewire your thinking and support lasting change.
Therapy offers something we rarely get in life—a safe place to experience unconditional support and a place to be your authentic self without the fear of judgment. I do not take this extraordinary gift lightly. I am honored to provide that space for clients, to endure with you through your darkest moments and celebrate your transformation together.
-
Yes, therapy is confidential. A client’s confidentiality is legally protected by HIPAA laws in the USA. However, there are some exceptions required by law. In most cases, information will not be disclosed without prior written consent by the client. In the state of Texas, I am a mandated reporter for abuse against children, the elderly, and people with disabilities or who are otherwise vulnerable, and I do not need a client’s consent. In addition, there are confidentiality concerns when using your insurance.
Further information about confidentiality will be accessible to you in the consent documents you receive prior to your scheduled session. We will also discuss confidentiality in our first session together.
It is important to me that my clients feel like they have a private space to fearlessly be their authentic selves. Confidentiality is vital to building a trusting and safe therapeutic relationship with my clients. If you have any questions or concerns at any time, let’s talk about it!
-
Choosing a therapist can be a process. There are many things to consider. Most importantly, it is a deeply personal decision. You are choosing the person who gets to hear your story and walk with you through the wilderness.
Consider this when making a decision - Do you feel safe to be honest and vulnerable? Do you feel supported and understood? Do you feel seen and heard?
Consultations are a great way to get-to-know a therapist. I offer complimentary 15-minute phone or video consultations for us to connect and decide if I am the right therapist for you.
-
For your sessions, we will spend 50 minutes together on a weekly basis. Having a weekly schedule is especially important when you begin therapy. Weekly sessions provide consistency to learn about my clients at their pace and to build a strong, trusting therapeutic relationship. Most importantly, weekly sessions create a rhythm that makes the change you seek intentional and actionable.
As you progress in therapy, we will regularly assess your goals and adjust the frequency of sessions as needed. Most clients reduce their sessions to bi-weekly or monthly as they experience growth and healing.
Your session time and frequency is meant to meet your unique needs as you travel on your path to growth.
-
Therapy is personalized for each client. The duration of therapy varies depending on your individual needs and goals, as well as your progress and where you are at on your path to growth. Together, we will explore your goals and discuss the depth of change and growth you are seeking to determine what best meets your needs.
-
I accept all major credit cards including, American Express, Discover, Mastercard, Visa, as well as debit and FSA/HSA cards
$155 per 50-minute session
I am able to offer sliding scale adjustments to my session rate. We can discuss your needs and determine a fair rate that fits your budget.
-
I am in-network with the following insurance providers:
Aetna
BlueCross and BlueShield
Cigna and Evernorth
Oscar (Optum)
Oxford
Quest Behavioral Health
UnitedHealthcare (Optum)
If your insurance copay is not favorable to your budget needs, you can inquire about my sliding scale adjustments to my private pay rate. If you are choosing to do private pay or if I am out-of-network with your insurance, certain insurance plans may cover a percentage of out-of-network services by submitting a Superbill for reimbursement.
A Superbill is a document or itemized receipt of services rendered that can be submitted for possible reimbursement to your insurance company. The Superbill will state how much you have paid out of pocket for services. In addition, the Superbill will include diagnosis codes that your insurance requires to determine potential reimbursement.
Contact your insurance provider directly to review your plan’s Explanation of Benefits (EOB) to understand your specific coverage, copay, deductible, and reimbursement options.
-
There are plenty of financial advantages to using your insurance to pay for services or to receive reimbursement for services. I have some clients who don’t pay a dime for their sessions! How can you not pass that up?
However, in an effort to give informed consent, there are also some disadvantages to consider. Please take a moment to read the following information about the disadvantages to using insurance coverage and submitting claims for insurance reimbursement for mental health care:
Formal Diagnosis Required: A diagnosis from the DSM-V and detailed session notes are required to access insurance benefits, and it becomes a permanent part of your medical record.
Impact on Insurance Payments: Similar to physical health diagnoses, having a mental health diagnosis can lead to higher premiums and may affect eligibility for certain types of insurance, including life insurance.
Privacy Concerns & Record Accessibility: Insurance companies may share treatment details with other entities, and the information can be accessed by potential employers or other third parties. The insurance claim passes through many people during processing, increasing the risk of information exposure.
Out-of-Network Reimbursement: It can be difficult to navigate the reimbursement claim process and claim processing times can also be a challenge. Reimbursement is possible, not guaranteed. The reimbursement process and the percentage reimbursed for services depends on each individual insurance plan.
Every client’s budget and personal preferences are different. Every insurance’s plan and benefits are different. I recommend reviewing your unique needs and payment options.
I am available if you have any questions about my sliding scale rate adjustments, private pay policies, or using your insurance for session payments. Please take your time to consider all of this information to make a decision that feels most comfortable for you.
-
Sometimes when clients schedule for therapy, we realize that you may need more support or a different kind of help than what I can provide as a therapist.
I am happy to work with my clients to help you determine what best meets your needs so that you can get the appropriate referrals of care. This can include working with other professionals who specialize in specific treatments that better support your healing. If necessary, we can explore options for higher levels of care including Intensive In-Patient Programs (IIPs), Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs), and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs).
If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911 to request emergency services or go to your nearest emergency room for help.
If you are in need of crisis support services outside of your scheduled session time, please contact National Mental Health Hotlines including:
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling 988
Crisis Text Line by texting HELLO or HOME to 741741
Online Chat by visiting 988lifeline.org/chat
National Alliance on Mental Illness Helpline by dialing 1-800-950-6264
-
As required by Texas law (Health and Safety Code Section 181.105), Untamed Growth Therapy provides the following detailed instructions to help you access your rights as a consumer. These apply to your protected health information under HIPAA and state privacy rules.
1. Requesting Your Health Care Records
You have the right to request and receive copies of your health care records (e.g., therapy notes, treatment plans, or billing records) from Untamed Growth Therapy. We will process your request in compliance with Texas law and federal HIPAA regulations, typically within 30 days (or sooner if possible). There may be reasonable fees for copying, mailing, or preparation (e.g., $25 for the first 20 pages, plus actual postage).
To make a request:
Submit in Writing:
By Email or Phone: gabriellapatronella@untamedgrowththerapy.com
(713) 377-3335
Include Key Details: Your full name, date of birth, contact information (phone/email), dates of service or sessions, and a description of the specific records you want.
Format Options: Specify if you want electronic copies. paper copies, or a summary. If requesting for someone else, include authorization proof.
Next Steps: Your request will be confirmed within 5 business days and the records will be provided in a timely manner which will be specifically communicated to you. Any delays/denials will be explained. If denied, you can appeal at the contact above.
For questions, please contact Untamed Growth Therapy directly.
2. Contacting the Disciplinary or Licensing Authority
If you have concerns about our services, privacy practices, or need to contact our oversight body, reach out to the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC), which licenses and disciplines professional counselors in Texas.
Contact Methods:
Phone: (512) 305-7700 for general inquiries.
Complaints Hotline: 24-hour toll-free line at (800) 821-3205 for investigations or complaints.
Website: Visit the BHEC Contact Us page at https://www.bhec.texas.gov/contact-us/index.html for forms, FAQs, and program-specific contacts (select "Professional Counseling").
Mail: Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council, 1801 Congress Ave., Ste. 7.300, Austin, TX 78701.
When to Contact: Use this for issues like ethical concerns, licensing questions, or to report potential violations. Complaints must be submitted on their official form (available on the website or by calling).
3. Filing a Consumer Complaint
For complaints related to consumer protection, such as privacy violations, deceptive practices, or mishandling of personal information, file with the Texas Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.
Key Steps to File:
Gather Details: Prepare the business/practice name, full address, a detailed description of the issue, transaction amounts, copies of contracts/emails, and any prior resolution attempts, etc.
Choose the Form: Use the General Consumer Complaint form for issues like billing disputes or service problems; use the Privacy Complaint form for data/privacy concerns.
Submit Online: To complete the form, go to https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection/file-consumer-complaint
Phone Option: Call (800) 621-0508 for assistance or to file verbally.
After Submission: You will receive a confirmation email with a complaint number. The office reviews complaints for informational purposes to help monitor consumer protection issues and identify trends or patterns across the state. They may not contact you further unless more info is needed. Filing is not a guarantee of individual resolution or legal advice.
If you need help with any of these processes or have questions about your rights, please do not hesitate to reach out at any time.