Frequently Asked Questions
About Mika and her approach to Life Coaching & Relationship Counseling
Are you a bargain? And...what's your hourly rate?
My hourly rate is $227. However, I have different packages and programs for individuals and couples that reduce this rate depending on your needs.
People are often looking for "affordable" counseling. If I had cancer I would be looking for a Doctor I liked, was confident in, and knew was trained.
A 75-year longitudial study out of Harvard uncovered what creates a happy and purposeful life. What were the most important variables? Money? NOPE. Success? NOPE. What kind of car you drove? Nuh-uh. How much power you had? How much you achieved? What kind of jeans you wore? What wrinkle cream you used? How much you weighed? No. No. No. No.
The study found STRONG RELATIONSHIPS to be far and away the strongest predictor of life satisfaction. The problem is when people don't make them a priority. Our theory of success has been broken: more success doesn't bring more happiness...it's the other way around.
The short answer is: No, my pricing probably isn't considered "a steal". But have I heard, "THIS was SO worth it!" or, "I'm so glad we did this!" no less than a thousand times? YEP.
I understand everyone's finances are different and do work with a select number of clients at a significantly reduced rate.
People are often looking for "affordable" counseling. If I had cancer I would be looking for a Doctor I liked, was confident in, and knew was trained.
A 75-year longitudial study out of Harvard uncovered what creates a happy and purposeful life. What were the most important variables? Money? NOPE. Success? NOPE. What kind of car you drove? Nuh-uh. How much power you had? How much you achieved? What kind of jeans you wore? What wrinkle cream you used? How much you weighed? No. No. No. No.
The study found STRONG RELATIONSHIPS to be far and away the strongest predictor of life satisfaction. The problem is when people don't make them a priority. Our theory of success has been broken: more success doesn't bring more happiness...it's the other way around.
The short answer is: No, my pricing probably isn't considered "a steal". But have I heard, "THIS was SO worth it!" or, "I'm so glad we did this!" no less than a thousand times? YEP.
I understand everyone's finances are different and do work with a select number of clients at a significantly reduced rate.
DO you take insurance?
I am considered an out-of-network provider for clients in the state of Missouri. If you live in Missouri, here are some questions you might want to ask your insurance company to get clear answers about your coverage. While we do not work with insurance companies directly, we can provide you receipts coded for insurance purposes that can be used for reimbursement.
- What does my plan cover for out-of-network, out-patient mental health counseling with a Licensed Professional Counselor?
- Is couples counseling covered?
- Is individual counseling covered?
- Are there any diagnoses that are not covered?
- How many visits are covered per year?
- What's my out-of-network deductible?
How do I become a client?
The first step in becoming a client is to schedule a FREE New Client Call by clicking here. In this call I like to get clear on where you are, assist you in developing some clarity on where you'd like to be, and work together to come up with some next-best-steps. After this call, I will send you all the details on the options we discussed along with pricing. Because I work with different people and circumstances in different ways (i.e., courses, programs, individual therapy, etc.) my suggestions for further work and pricing will be different depending on your needs, goals, & desires.
Do you see people in person or only zoom?
I have an office in Kirkwood, Missouri, am fully vaccinated, and see people in person (sometimes my dog is here, too). Masks are required on your way into and out of the building. In session, we are about 12 feet apart with my trusty HEPA filter between us. It's up to you if we keep our masks on or take them off.
As for ZOOM, I've been seeing people from all over via video conferencing for YEARS. Telehealth is a great option if you live elsewhere, want to cut out the commute time, or don't have reliable access to childcare, but have great nappers.
As for ZOOM, I've been seeing people from all over via video conferencing for YEARS. Telehealth is a great option if you live elsewhere, want to cut out the commute time, or don't have reliable access to childcare, but have great nappers.
My last therapist just nodded and didn't say much. Do you do that?
Silence can be a powerful tool, but when overused it can just feel weird to some people. It sounds like you're one of them. I tailor my work specifically for each client. I aim to do what is best for you. I believe my style, for the most part, involves direct strategy and empowerment in a non-judgmental space.
Does counseling really work?
My sarcastic answer is, “No. I just really like pissing in the wind.”
This REALLY REALLY WORKS. I can’t guarantee results…I don’t even know you! But I can tell you that if you’re consistent and committed to changing your life, really good support in the form of a therapist that's a good fit for YOU can get you rapid results, and save you a boatload of time, money, and energy.
This REALLY REALLY WORKS. I can’t guarantee results…I don’t even know you! But I can tell you that if you’re consistent and committed to changing your life, really good support in the form of a therapist that's a good fit for YOU can get you rapid results, and save you a boatload of time, money, and energy.
When you counsel couples, is your goal to always keep people married?
No. My goal is to introduce each of you to the best version of you. If your relationship is in a bad place I’m willing to bet you’ve lost connection with your best self. I support you in this shift with skills and tools to express clearly and strategically, in a spiritually and emotionally mature way, who you really are to get the best results in relationships with yourself and others. From here, your decision to stay married or not is clear and may depend on your and your partner's willingness to grow and change.
CAn't I just do this on my own?
Support, connection, and accountability are important in making big changes and getting big results quickly. The changes you need to make won’t be comfortable in the beginning and it’s easy to slide back to old habits and just start winging it again.
Emotional and relational stuff isn’t tangible…it’s not numbers on a scale. Having a relational and emotional expert as your, or your relationship’s ally can be as instrumental in finding and treating your emotional or relational ‘cancer’ as a MRI machine is in finding and treating cancer of the body.
I am trained to see communication patterns, destructive beliefs, and mindsets that are getting in your, or your relationship's way. When we're in it these things can be nearly impossible to see without the help of a non-judgmental third party observer.
Emotional and relational stuff isn’t tangible…it’s not numbers on a scale. Having a relational and emotional expert as your, or your relationship’s ally can be as instrumental in finding and treating your emotional or relational ‘cancer’ as a MRI machine is in finding and treating cancer of the body.
I am trained to see communication patterns, destructive beliefs, and mindsets that are getting in your, or your relationship's way. When we're in it these things can be nearly impossible to see without the help of a non-judgmental third party observer.
I’ve never invested in myself like this before. How can I justify this expense?
I've really thought about putting, "Cheaper than a divorce" on my business cards... ;-)
I know how agonizing this decision can be. You want a crystal ball to let you know if this will be worth it. I have invested in my own growth in a BIG way, and when I say BIG I mean if you heard the number $ you might spit out your drink ;-) It took a big leap of faith on my part.
I've learned something about investing in myself in a big way that I want to share …the bigness of the investment held me more accountable and challenged me to commit to big changes in ways I never had before. I believe it pushed me to make big decisions and big changes which caused BIG growth in a small amount of time. This led to fewer excuses and more clarity, ease, freedom, happiness, sureness, and even MORE sleep.
It caused me to take my happiness more seriously than ever….and I thought I had been doing a pretty decent job! I want this for you, too.
I know how agonizing this decision can be. You want a crystal ball to let you know if this will be worth it. I have invested in my own growth in a BIG way, and when I say BIG I mean if you heard the number $ you might spit out your drink ;-) It took a big leap of faith on my part.
I've learned something about investing in myself in a big way that I want to share …the bigness of the investment held me more accountable and challenged me to commit to big changes in ways I never had before. I believe it pushed me to make big decisions and big changes which caused BIG growth in a small amount of time. This led to fewer excuses and more clarity, ease, freedom, happiness, sureness, and even MORE sleep.
It caused me to take my happiness more seriously than ever….and I thought I had been doing a pretty decent job! I want this for you, too.
do you offer evening and weekend hours?
Yes. Currently on Monday and Tuesday evenings I see clients until 7 or 8pm CST.