Services Provided

I specifically offer individual outpatient services to adults both in-person and through telehealth (i.e., online video therapy) in the state of Missouri. These services include an initial assessment, continued treatment through 60 minute sessions, EMDR treatment, and the writing of documentation, when needed. I do not provide crisis counseling services. 

Techniques Used in Mental Health Counseling

My primary approach to mental health counseling is talk therapy, which provides a safe, compassionate, and nonjudgmental space to explore the root causes of current challenges, develop actionable plans, and improve problem-solving.

I also offer EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), a trauma-focused therapy that involves minimal discussion. Instead, it uses bilateral stimulation—such as eye movements—to help the brain process distressing experiences and support the development of healthier, more adaptive beliefs.

Mental Health Counseling Procedures

The counseling process typically includes an initial consultation, assessment and diagnosis, building a strong therapeutic relationship, developing a collaborative treatment plan, implementing interventions, and eventually planning for the conclusion of therapy and any needed follow-up.

A note on diagnosis: While I provide diagnoses to meet insurance requirements and offer a general framework for understanding your experiences, I believe no one is defined by a label. If you ever have questions or concerns about a diagnosis, I welcome open and thoughtful discussion.

Intake and Treatment Process

The intake process helps us gather important information to guide your treatment and gives you a chance to learn about therapy and ask questions. During this time, we will:

• Review policies, fees, and emergency contacts.

• Discuss whether you’d like to use health insurance, depending on your plan’s coverage.

• Go over what to expect from therapy, including the type, duration, and possible risks and benefits.

• Create a treatment plan outlining your therapy schedule, goals, and steps to reach them. This plan may be updated over time to reflect your needs.

After intake, you’ll begin regular therapy sessions, either in person or virtually. Participation is voluntary — you can ask questions or stop at any time. Throughout therapy, we’ll track your progress, identify helpful supports, and, once your goals are met, discuss how to return to therapy if needed in the future.

Concluding Therapy

From the beginning of our work together, the goal is to support you in reaching a place where ongoing therapy is no longer necessary—for now. Therapy is designed to help during times of need, and just like with a primary care doctor, you’re always welcome to return if challenges arise in the future. There are many reasons therapy may come to a close, including:

• Successfully meeting your treatment goals (our primary aim)

• Relocating to another state

• Frequent cancellations or missed appointments

• Financial constraints

• The need for a higher level of care

• One or both of us deciding that our working relationship is not the right fit

While therapy may not solve everything, it’s meant to provide tools and support for moving forward. If life brings new challenges, you're always welcome to reach back out—therapy is here when you need it.

Results Are Not Guaranteed

Therapy itself does not guarantee specific outcomes. Growth typically comes from applying the tools and insights discussed in sessions to your daily life.

Boundaries and Ethical Practice

To maintain ethical standards and protect your care, I do not provide therapy to:

• Anyone with whom I have a personal, social, or business relationship

• Anyone seeking romantic or intimate involvement

• People within the same immediate family (if living in the same home) or in the same intimate partnership.

In these cases, I will gladly help connect you with another qualified provider.

Therapy Is Not a Replacement for Certain Supports

Therapy complements, but does not replace, a strong social support system. I also do not provide services outside my professional scope, such as:

• Medical advice or prescription management

• Psychiatric medication guidance

• Legal advice or representation

• Fitness, business, or life coaching

• Financial or investment planning

Areas Outside My Specialization

The treatment I provide is specialized for certain areas of focus, and some concerns fall out of my professional scope. If one of these becomes relevant, I will work with you to locate an appropriate specialist.

• Addictive behaviors (e.g., sex or pornography addiction)

• Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder

• Dissociative Identity Disorder

• Eating disorders (e.g., anorexia, bulimia, ARFID)

• Intellectual or learning disabilities

• Motor and tic disorders

• Neurological disorders (e.g., Alzheimer’s, dementia)

• Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (e.g., OCD, hoarding, trichotillomania)

• Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Intermittent Explosive Disorder, or Conduct Disorder

• Paraphilic disorders

• Personality disorders (e.g., Borderline, Narcissistic, Antisocial)

• Psychotic disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder)

• Pyromania and Kleptomania

• Severe substance use disorders

• Sex therapy or sexual concerns

If you’re concerned that any of these may apply to you or if we discover throughout treatment that one of these disorders is present, I’m happy to discuss and assist with appropriate referrals.

Potential Risks of Mental Health Counseling

Engaging in therapy can sometimes lead to temporary discomfort, including increased emotional distress, challenging thoughts, changes in relationships, or shifts in lifestyle and beliefs. These experiences are a common part of the healing process and often do not prevent progress toward your goals. If you have concerns about any of these potential effects, I encourage you to discuss them with me.

Potential Benefits of Mental Health Counseling

Therapy can help increase the following: general mood, self-esteem and confidence, relationship satisfaction, abilities to manage stress and anxiety, abilities to set and achieve realistic goals, abilities to manage strong emotional reactions and feelings, abilities to trust others and communicate your thoughts, feelings, and needs to others, abilities to notice and prevent yourself from engaging in unhelpful or destructive behaviors, and decision-making.

Coming into mental health counseling, just like any other medical treatment, you have certain rights and responsibilities that help create a fulfilling experience for you and I. Here’s what you need to know:

Rights as a Client:

• Select a professional counselor who meets your needs.

• Receive specific information about your counselor’s qualifications, including education, experience, national counseling certifications, and state licensure.

• Obtain a copy of the code(s) of ethics your counselor must follow.

• Receive a written explanation of services offered, time commitments, fee scales, and billing policies prior to receipt of services.

• Understand your counselor’s areas of expertise and scope of practice (e.g., career development, adolescents, couples, etc.)

• Ask questions about confidentiality and its limits as specified in state laws and professional ethical codes.

• Receive information about emergency procedures (e.g., how to contact your counselor in the event of a crisis).

• Ask questions about counseling techniques and strategies, including potential risks and benefits.

• Establish goals and evaluate progress with your counselor.

• Request additional opinions from other mental health assessment professionals.

• Understand the implications of diagnosis and the intended use of psychological reports.

• Obtain copies of records and reports.

• Terminate the counseling relationship at any time.

• Share any concerns or complaints you may have regarding a professional counselor’s conduct with the appropriate professional counseling organization or licensure board.

Responsibilities as a Client:

• Pay your bill in accordance with the billing agreements.

• Adhere to established schedules. If you miss an appointment, contact your counselor as soon as possible.

• Participate fully in each session to help maximize a positive outcome.

• Avoid placing your counselor in ethical dilemmas, such as requesting to become involved in social interactions (including social media) or to barter for services.

• Inform your professional counselor of your progress and challenges in meeting your goals.

• Follow agreed-upon goals and strategies established in sessions.

• Consider appropriate referrals from your counselor.

• Inform your counselor if you are receiving mental health services from another professional.

We will be utilizing multiple platforms to conduct your care, from financials to insurance to telehealth sessions. Here’s what you need to know:

• Headway: This is my main platform for scheduling, documentation, and video sessions. You'll complete most of your intake forms here, including consent, history, and symptom assessments. Share as much or as little as you feel comfortable—it's okay to take your time.

• Spruce: A secure, HIPAA-compliant app for messaging between sessions. It offers more privacy than texting and can be used via app or web browser.

• IVY Pay (self-pay clients): I use Ivy Pay to securely collect payments. You’ll receive a text with a $0.00 charge to enter your payment info. It’s HIPAA-compliant, and I never see your payment details.

• Headway (insurance clients): This handles insurance and payments. If we’ve scheduled your session, your insurance is likely already set up. You'll just need to enter your payment details for copays and cancellations.

• Blueprint AI: A voluntary service that utilizes AI to listen to our sessions and create a draft note. This enables me to better focus in sessions and translate our session to medical-speak for insurance or other purposes. None of the information is kept, and I always review the draft note for accuracy.

Telehealth (i.e., video sessions)

To use telehealth, you’ll need an internet connection and a device with a camera. I will guide you through logging in and using the platform. If telehealth isn’t the right fit, I will suggest an alternative.

Risks

• Privacy: You may need to share personal details (e.g., name, birthdate, location) to set up an account. I ensure the platform meets security standards.

• Technology: Internet, video, or audio issues may occur. If so, I will follow a pre-agreed backup plan.

• Crisis Response: In emergencies, support may be limited. You and I will create a plan that includes local contacts and crisis resources.

Benefits

• Flexibility: Attend sessions from a location that works for you.

• Convenience: No travel required, making it easier to attend sessions—even during bad weather or illness.

Recommendations

• Ensure privacy by preventing others from hearing or seeing your session.

• Do not record sessions without my permission.

• Let me know if you're joining from a different location than your home address

Information Storage and Access

I am required to keep records of your treatment to support high-quality, continuous care and to meet professional standards. Your information is stored securely in an electronic health record system called Sessions Health. This system uses advanced encryption, firewalls, and 24/7 monitoring to protect your data. It also tracks all log-ins and actions to ensure security and accountability.

For Self-Pay Clients:

• Session Fee: $115 for a 60-minute session. I do not offer self-pay. Shorter sessions are only available if discussed and approved in advance (24 or more hours).

• Cancellation Fee: $90 (see Scheduling Policy). No-shows or late cancellations will be charged this fee, even if you're unable to pay for the session.

Payment is due at the time of service and processed through IVY Pay. Other payment methods (e.g., cash, checks, CashApp, Venmo, PayPal) are not accepted.

A valid credit or debit card must be kept on file and will be charged for all fees unless other arrangements are made in advance. You’re responsible for keeping your card information current and ensuring funds are available.

If a payment fails or you're unable to pay, please notify me as soon as possible (ideally 24 hours in advance). Future sessions will be paused until the balance is paid to help avoid financial stress. Any exceptions (e.g., delayed charges) must be agreed upon ahead of time by at least 24 hours.

For Insurance Clients:

Your insurance provider sets the rates for your counseling sessions. While Headway (the platform I use for insurance billing) provides an initial estimate, actual costs may change after claims are processed—typically within 4–6 weeks. These estimates are not guaranteed and may differ from your final payment amount. 

Before starting therapy, you should confirm with your insurance company if:

• Your benefits cover the type of therapy you will receive;

• Your benefits cover in-person and telehealth sessions;

• You may be responsible for any portion of the payment; and

• I (Bridge Cunningham, LPC) is in-network or out-of-network.

Payment is due at the time of service and processed through Headway. A valid credit or debit card must be kept on file and will be charged for all fees unless other arrangements are made in advance. You’re responsible for keeping your card information current and ensuring funds are available.

If a payment fails or you're unable to pay, please notify me as soon as possible (ideally 24 hours in advance). Future sessions will be paused until the balance is paid to help avoid financial stress. Any exceptions (e.g., delayed charges) must be agreed upon ahead of time by at least 24 hours.

Common Questions Using Insurance:

• What if my fee increases from the initial estimate and I cannot pay it?

  • If the current rate isn’t manageable, we can explore options like adjusting session frequency, discussing short-term private pay arrangements, or referring you to lower-cost providers.

• I can’t afford services because I haven’t met my deductible yet. What should I do?

  • If your deductible hasn’t been met, insurance requires you to pay the full session fee out of pocket. I understand this can be stressful. If the current rate isn’t manageable, we can explore options like adjusting session frequency, discussing short-term private pay arrangements, or referring you to lower-cost providers.

• What should I do if my insurance changes and you no longer take it?

  • We can move to self-pay, if it is within your budget. Otherwise, I will aid you in finding a provider that takes your insurance to continue your care.

• What happens if I miss a session? Does insurance pay the late/no-show fee?

  • Insurance does not pay for late cancellation or no-show fees. My late cancellation and no-show fee is $90. Please be mindful of the late cancellation fee when scheduling your sessions, and follow the cancellation policy to avoid no-show fees where possible.

• If the cost is too high and I have to move therapists, do I still have to pay you for any outstanding sessions?

  • Yes. If the cost for sessions is not paid within one month, I have the right to utilize debt collectors. This is not something I wish to do, however, therapy is a service.

Fee Increases:

My self-pay rate increases by $5 per year, beginning on the first Monday of March each year. Meaning that on March 2, 2026, my self-pay rate will be increasing to $115/session.

You will be given a three-month advanced notification of the fee increase each year, including if any other increases are determined over the course of the year. If the increased rate isn’t manageable, we can explore options like adjusting session frequency or referring you to lower-cost providers.

Should you need documentation such as Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) paperwork, legal paperwork, or other documentation completed for employers or other needs, these will come at an extra charge. We will use IVYPay to complete these charges. Payment is expected before I complete the initial documentation, with the cost for collecting supporting documents being charged after the paperwork is completed.

Note that I am not qualified to write Emotional Support Animal letters. These costs do not apply to Gender Affirming Care Letters.

Initial Documentation: $50

Collecting Notes, Treatment Plans, and Other Documentation: $2 per item

Costs are subject to change depending upon the complexity of the paperwork.

Working Hours:

Wednesdays and Thursdays:

8:30 AM and 9:45 AM - Virtual Sessions

1:00 PM, 2:15 PM, 4:30 PM, and 5:45 PM - In-Person Sessions

Saturdays:

9:30 AM, 10:45 AM, and 12:00 PM - Virtual Sessions

1:00 PM, 2:15 PM, and 3:30 PM - In-Person Sessions

Sundays:

9:15 AM, 10:30 AM, and 11:45 AM - Virtual Sessions

1:45 PM, 3:00 PM, and 4:15 PM - In-Person Sessions

Scheduling Appointments:

I recommend setting a consistent appointment time (e.g., weekly on Tuesdays at 2:15 PM or biweekly on Wednesdays at 11:00 AM) when starting services. We’ll establish your schedule during the first few sessions, and it will remain in place unless we agree to a change. Please let me know during a session if you need to adjust your regular time.

For Weekly Clients: Please let me know if you are willing to do three sessions per month rather than four. This allows me to schedule my monthly client sessions more reliably. 

For Monthly Clients: Whether due to financial circumstances or because of treatment progress, monthly clients will be scheduled around weekly and biweekly client sessions. I will do my best to find and get you scheduled into slots that fit into your scheduling needs within a 4-6 week period.

If you prefer flexible or changing appointment times, you are responsible for scheduling through the Headway portal. You can book up to 30 days in advance.

For urgent needs within 24 hours due to a mental health crisis, contact me via Spruce. I’ll do my best to accommodate or connect you with crisis resources.

If my availability does not fit our needs at any point in your treatment, I will help you find another provider to ensure continuity of care.

Cancellation Guidelines

Standard Cancellations: You may cancel or reschedule appointments through the Headway portal up to 24 hours in advance. Please utilize this instead of contacting me directly when possible.

Late Cancellations: Cancellations made under 24 hours must be communicated via Spruce. If we’re able to reschedule within the same week, no late fee will be charged—you’ll just pay the regular session rate.

Late Arrival: Arriving 10 minutes or more late without notice will incur a $90 late fee. If you notify me in advance of a delay due to unforeseen circumstances, I can allow a 5-minute grace period (resulting in a 45-minute session). Arrivals more than 15 minutes late are not permitted.

No-Shows: Two consecutive missed sessions without communication (not arriving within 10 minutes of the session start time) will result in discharge from care, in order to prioritize clients actively engaged in treatment.

Illness or Weather: Please do not attend in-person sessions if you're ill or weather conditions are unsafe. If you're still well enough to meet virtually and have power/internet, we’ll switch to telehealth. Refusing telehealth in this situation may result in a late fee. If you're too ill or without power, simply communicate with me ahead of time—no fee will be charged.

Provider Cancellations: If I’m unable to provide services due to illness or emergency, I’ll inform you as soon as possible and help reschedule. No fees will apply.

Chronic Illness: If you have a chronic illness prone to unpredictable flare-ups, we can discuss a more customized attendance policy that works with your needs. Feel free to talk to me about any concerns, and we’ll adjust the guidelines accordingly.

Follow-up Policy: If you miss a session without notice, I will try to contact you by phone or email after one week. If there is still no response, I’ll make a second attempt one month after the missed appointment. If I haven’t heard from you within two months, I will assume you no longer wish to continue therapy. At that point, you will be discharged from my caseload so I can offer availability to others in need.

If you are discharged due to lack of contact, you’re welcome to reach out about returning. However, I cannot guarantee space in my schedule. If I’m unable to resume services with you, I will provide a list of referral options for continued care.

Weekends Off

Each month, I take off one weekend from seeing clients. These weekends will change year by year, and this calendar will be updated as needed to reflect this. Please note: I will not be seeing clients on the fifth weekend of the month if there is one on the calendar.

If at the time of my taking off for the weekend you express a need for an appointment, we will discuss ways to make up for the skipped appointment on another day.

Weekends Off in 2027:

January 2-3, January 30-31

February 27-28

March 13-14

April 17-18

May 1-2, May 29-30

June 12-13 (in anticipation of Springfield PrideFest)

July 10-11, July 31-August 1

August 21-22

September 18-19 (in anticipation of Cider Days)

October 2-3, October 30-31

November 27-28

December 25-26

These dates are subject to change should extenuating circumstances occur, and you will be notified as soon as I am aware of the change.

There are several ways you may interact with me outside of scheduled sessions. Please review the following guidelines to help maintain your privacy and therapeutic boundaries:

Texting and Email

• Responses are provided during business hours: Wednesday and Thursdays from 8AM - 7PM, and Saturdays and Sundays from 9AM to 5PM.

• These methods are not secure and should only be used for scheduling-related communication. Spruce, however, is HIPPA-complaint and may be used for outside discussions as well.

• You may request appointment reminders via text or email.

• Consider who else might access your messages before choosing these options.
  

Social Media and Review Sites

• I do not accept or respond to messages, tags, friend requests, or other interactions on social media to protect your confidentiality and maintain boundaries.

• You may see professional content I’ve shared online, but you’re under no obligation to follow or engage. If you do follow me, I will not follow back.

• I will not respond to any online reviews. While you’re free to share your experience, be aware that public reviews may affect your privacy and can be difficult to remove or control once posted.

Unexpected In-Person Encounters

• If we cross paths outside of session, I will not acknowledge or engage to respect your privacy.

• If you initiate contact, I will keep any response minimal and non-therapeutic. This is not out of disregard, but to preserve the integrity of our work together.

Life can become too difficult for us to handle at times, and thus we end up in a state of crisis. Please know that I am here to help, and I do not offer crisis management services. If you inform me via text, call, or email that you are in a crisis, I will get back to you as soon as I can during office hours. I will help you get scheduled for a session as soon as possible, even if it is outside of my normal working hours. In the case of an immediate mental health crisis please refer to the following phone numbers and local services to obtain help:

911: Emergency hotline

988: Mental health emergency hotline

741-741, text HOME: Crisis text hotline

1-877-565-8860: Trans Lifeline

1-877-360-LGBT (5428): Sage LGBT Elders hotline

1-866-488-7386: The Trevor Project Lifeline

1-800-799-7233: National Domestic Violence hotline

1-800-656-4673: National Sexual Assault hotline

Sometimes life makes it to where you may not have childcare available during our session time, and that makes sense. If you need to bring one of your children you may leave your child in the waiting room should you deem, as their parent or guardian, that they can be left unsupervised for the duration of the session. If you need to bring your child to a session, we can only discuss surface-level issues, as children are sensitive to their parents' emotions and environment.

If you feel I have engaged in improper or unethical behavior, you can talk to them to resolve any issues, or you may contact the licensing board that issued my license, your insurance company (if applicable), or the US Department of Health and Human Services.