Frequently Asked Questions

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Answers to Help You Feel Informed and Confident in Your Next Step

Starting therapy or an assessment is a big decision — and it’s completely normal to have questions. Below, you’ll find answers to the most common questions about services, rates, scheduling, and what to expect when working with Dr. Erin Palmwood at Soleil Psychology.

FAQ

Soleil Psychology operates as a private-pay practice. Rates are:

  • Therapy sessions: $200 per 50-minute session

  • Assessment services: Start at $1600, depending on the type of evaluation and the time involved. You’ll receive a detailed estimate before moving forward—no surprises, just transparency.

We don’t work directly with insurance, but we’re considered an out-of-network provider. That means clients pay for services out of pocket, and—if your plan includes out-of-network mental health benefits—you may be eligible for reimbursement for some of all of your fees.

Each month, we’ll provide a superbill (a detailed receipt) that you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. If you're not sure what your plan covers, it’s helpful to call and ask:

  • Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits?

  • What percentage of the fee is reimbursed for therapy or assessment services with a PhD-level psychologist?


To make the process easier, some clients use services like Reimbursify or Better to submit superbills and track reimbursements.

Yes — Dr. Palmwood offers free 15-minute phone consultations to help you determine whether her services are the right fit for you. You can ask questions, share what you’re looking for, and get a feel for what it would be like to work together.

Schedule your free consultation here.

It depends on your goals and preferences. Some clients prefer short-term therapy focused on a specific issue, while others find value in longer-term support. Dr. Palmwood will work with you to regularly review progress and adjust the approach to make sure it continues to meet your needs.

Your first session is focused on getting to know you, understanding your concerns, and clarifying your goals for therapy. We’ll ask structured questions to help guide the process and begin developing a plan tailored to your needs. It’s a low-pressure starting point designed to help us move forward with clarity and focus.

Most clients start with weekly or biweekly sessions, depending on their needs, availability, and preferences. Over time, we can adjust the frequency based on your progress and goals. We’ll work with you to find a schedule that feels supportive and sustainable.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a popular treatment for trauma and emotional distress. While it’s widely known, research shows that EMDR is not more effective than other evidence-based treatments such as CBT, DBT, Prolonged Exposure (PE), or Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). In some cases, it may involve unnecessary treatment elements without added benefit.

Because of this, we do not offer EMDR at Soleil Psychology. Instead, we use approaches that are strongly supported by research and tailored to each client’s unique needs.

Yes—all services at Soleil Psychology are provided virtually through a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform. This allows for flexible scheduling and greater privacy, without compromising quality of care.

Soleil Psychology is based in Northern Virginia, but thanks to PSYPACT authorization, Dr. Palmwood is licensed to see clients virtually in 41 states and Washington, D.C. This allows our practice to offer accessible, research-informed therapy across much of the U.S., all from the comfort of your home.

Through PSYPACT, Dr. Palmwood is authorized to provide telepsychology services in the following states:

Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

(Note: Always double-check PSYPACT's official map for the most up-to-date licensing information.)