The 15-minute phone consultation is a relaxed, no-pressure conversation to see if we are the right fit for your goals. During the call, we will briefly discuss what brings you to therapy, answer any questions you have about our approaches (such as CBT, Gottman Method, or Mind-Body Therapy), and review session options (in-person in Pembroke Pines or virtual across Florida). If it feels like a good match, we will help you schedule your full initial assessment. 

Yes. In addition to in-person sessions at our Pembroke Pines office, we provide secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth (online video) therapy to clients located anywhere in the state of Florida. Telehealth offers the same level of care, privacy, and evidence-based practice as in-person visits—from the comfort and convenience of your home or private space. 

While both approaches help you manage stress, trauma, and emotional challenges, they focus on different entry points:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Focuses primarily on the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. CBT helps you identify unhelpful thought patterns and reframe them into actionable, healthier habits.

• Mind-Body Therapy: Focuses on the connection between your mind, nervous system, and physical body. Trauma and severe stress are often stored physically in the body (as tension, anxiety responses, or autonomic nervous system overload). Mind-Body approaches use somatic grounding, breathwork, and self-regulation techniques to reset your nervous system from the inside out.

At Culmer Counseling, we often integrate both methods so you gain cognitive tools to reframe your thoughts alongside somatic tools to calm your body.

ART is an evidence-based, rapid-recovery therapy that uses eye movements to help process traumatic memories, anxiety, and distressing images without having to spend months re-telling the event. 

We utilize Gottman Method Couples Therapy, a research-backed approach designed to improve communication, de-escalate repeating arguments, repair trust, and build deeper intimacy. 

Culmer Counseling Services operates primarily on a private-pay basis. Insurance acceptance depends on the type of therapy service you are receiving:

• Couples Therapy: Insurance and EAP (Employee Assistance Program) plans are NOT accepted.

• Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART): Insurance and EAP plans are NOT accepted.

• Group Therapy & Clinical Supervision: Insurance and EAP plans are NOT accepted.

Fees, copayments, and payment policies are discussed during your free 15-minute initial consultation to ensure full transparency before scheduling

Couples Therapy: Health insurance companies require a formal mental health diagnosis for one individual to cover sessions, treating relationship distress as a medical condition. Private pay allows us to focus entirely on your relationship goals without requiring a mental health diagnosis or letting insurance dictate the frequency or duration of your care.

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART): ART sessions are typically extended (up to 1.5 hours) to allow for complete memory reprocessing in a single setting. Because most standard insurance plans only reimburse for standard 45- to 50-minute sessions, private pay ensures you get the uninterrupted, specialized care ART requires.

For services where out-of-network reimbursement is applicable, we can provide you with an itemized receipt or Superbill upon request. You can submit this directly to your insurance company to seek potential out-of-network reimbursement, depending on your individual coverage plan.

We recommend calling the member services number on the back of your insurance card prior to your first session to ask about your specific out-of-network behavioral health benefits.

Payment is due at the time of service. We accept major credit cards, debit cards, and Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) cards. Full payment transparency and fee schedules are reviewed during your complimentary 15-minute consultation.