Faq

My office is located at:

Sessions are usually 50 minutes.

A 50-minute session is $175.

I am in network for BCBS PPO and out of network for all other insurance plans. I can provide a superbill so you can file for out-of-network benefits.

Use these links for information about your rights regarding surprise billing and receiving a good faith estimate.
https://www.drhootman.com/no-surprises-act/
https://www.drhootman.com/good-faith-estimates/

You can call me or email me. I offer a free 20-minute consultation by phone or in person.

I ask that you cancel 24 hours in advance if necessary.

Cancellations made within 24 hours of the appointment are charged the full fee since this time has been reserved for you.

I enjoy working with ages 6 to 86!

Reassure them that I will work to help them become comfortable here.

I have fidget toys, games, art supplies, and activities to make a calm and peaceful environment.

The number of sessions depends on lots of things like what someone has been through, how long the problem has gone on, and how long it takes for someone to get comfortable here.

I tend to think about blocks of therapy in which we increase skills and process hard stuff. Then a break makes sense to let that settle and see how things go.

Probably, though there are other options.

Sometimes other ways of expressing what is going on inside of us are better. And change can happen without every inner detail being spelled out in bold print.

Only you can speak to this question.

But there is a reason you got this far reading on my website. You are really concerned.

During the free 20-minute consultation I offer, we can talk about the risks and benefits of seeking therapy now or waiting.

Sometimes parenting seems full of opportunities for guilt.

We so want to do this important job well, and when a child is struggling, we are tempted to blame ourselves. But behavior is more complicated than that.

Whatever biology, experiences, and dynamics contributed to the problem, you are in a unique position to help your child with it. And seeking help for your child is surely a mark of a loving parent.

I firmly believe that parents are almost always the best helper for a child.

My goal is to empower parents to provide what their children need and to make children more able to receive the good input parents offer.

I seek to turn parents and children toward each other, not against each other.

No. All the information clients give me is confidential. I do not share it without clear written permission for the purpose of helping that person. These are composite scenarios to give you a sense of how I help adults, kids, and families.

Texas law requires that requests for mental health records be made in writing.
To obtain your records, or your child’s records, please follow the steps below:

Email your written request to: neisha@drhootman.org
Subject line: “REQUEST FOR RECORDS”

Additional requirements (if applicable):

Records fee
Fee for providing records: $25 for electronic records
Accepted payment methods: credit cards, or cash.
Texas law does not require records to be released until fees are paid

Family or third-party records
If you are requesting:
Family counseling records
Records for anyone other than yourself or your child
State and federal law require either:
A valid Court Order, or
An Authorization signed by the individual (or parent/legal guardian)
Relevant law: 45 C.F.R. §164.512(e); Texas Health & Safety Code §§611.004, 611.0045, 611.008

Instructions for Attorneys and Document Companies
A subpoena alone is not sufficient to compel disclosure of confidential counseling or billing records, or other Protected Health Information (PHI), under HIPAA (45 C.F.R. Chapter 164).

For mental health or medical records requested or subpoenaed in litigation (including testimony), HIPAA permits disclosure only under the following circumstances:

In response to a valid court or administrative tribunal order, or
When the individual (or parent/legal guardian):
Is a party to the proceeding
Has notice that the PHI has been requested
Does not object to the disclosure
An Authorization from the individual or parent satisfies this requirement.
Relevant law: 45 C.F.R. §164.512(e)

Important Note

If the client or parent has indicated that they do not consent to release of records:
A “Statement of Assurance” will not be accepted
A valid Authorization or Court Order will be required

You have a right to have your complaints heard and resolved in a timely manner. If we
cannot work things out to your satisfaction, you may file a complaint with our licensing
board:

Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council
1801 Congress Avenue, Suite 7.300
Austin, TX 78701
Telephone: 1-800-821-3205
Link to Complaint Form: http://www.bhec.texas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/BHEC-Complaint-Form.pdf.

If you have a complaint concerning the HIPAA Privacy Regulations, you may contact the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, at: OCRMail@hhs.gov.

If you believe that you have a Consumer Complaint regarding the privacy and security of your health information, you may contact the Texas Office of the Attorney General and file a consumer complaint by clicking this link:
https://www.texasattorneyge