Canine co-therapist Nala and I are offering EMDR and Sandtray Face to Face in Altoona, PA are Virtual Sessions in PA. Call for help on your journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

What types of counseling do you provide?

We provide Individual Counseling services or Personalized Therapy. We also offer extended sessions in the form of Retreats for those who need more time than a typical session.

Who provides the counseling services for Y Counseling?

Heather Yasolsky provides the counseling services at Y Counseling. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who provides individualized counseling and personal therapy for adults ages 18 to 60. Heather is trained and certified in EMDR Therapy which allows her to specialize in the treatment of complex trauma including PTSD and anxiety-related disorders. Heather has also obtained her Interanationally Credentialled Sandtray Therarpist and her Animal Assisted Treatment-Interventionist Credential.

Where is your office located?

Y Counseling is located at 217 Union Avenue, Suite 201 in Altoona, Pennsylvania. We are on the 2nd Floor in Simington Plaza II, above the Athenian Cafe. For more information, check out our Contact page.

What does your office look like?

For a detailed look at our office, including pictures and directions to find your way once you are inside the building check out our page: A Look at the Office.

Insurance and Payments

Is counseling covered by insurance?

In order to utilize insurance mental health benefits you will need to meet medical diagnosis criteria. If you do not have a medical diagnosis, then insurance does not pay for services. We do offer personalized therapy, if clients do not want to use their insurance or if a medical diagnosis is not met. Medical diagnosis is at the discretion of the counselor based on Industry Best Practice Standards.

Do you accept insurance?

Yes, we accept most private insurance plans including Highmark, UPMC, Optum, Cigna, Geisinger, United Healthcare, and Aetna. For those who choose not to use their insurance, you can self-pay for counseling services by using our Personal Therapy option.

How do I know if my insurance coverage includes counseling and what my copay will be?

Services may be covered in full or in part by your health insurance or employee benefit plan. Please check your coverage carefully by asking the following questions:

- Do I have mental health insurance benefits?
- What is my deductible and has it been met? (With changes in Healthcare, make sure you know your deductible)
- What is the coverage amount per therapy session? (Will be due if you have not met your deductible yet.)
- Is referral required from my primary care physician?
- Does my insurance pay out of network for mental health?
- Is Heather Yasolsky credentialed with my insurance plan?
- What is my co-pay? (Due at the time of service)

What if I don't have insurance or don't want to use my insurance?

If you do not have insurance or do not want to use your insurance, you can self-pay for counseling services by using our Personal Therapy option.

Do you offer any discounts for Veterans?

Yes, we offer reduced rate packages specifically designed for Veteran's.

Do you offer any discounts for non-Veteran's?

Yes, we offer reduced package rates for non-Veteran's through our Concierge Packages.

What are your payment options?

You can pay by cash or credit card through a HIPAA compliant Ivy Pay app.

Specialized Therapy Techniques

What is EMDR (or Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) Therapy for Trauma?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an integrative psychotherapy approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of trauma. EMDR includes a set of standardized protocols that incorporates elements from many different treatment approaches. EMDR therapy has helped millions of people of all ages relieve many types of psychological stress. It has been shown to be highly effective in treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related issues.

Is EMDR therapy evidence-based and does insurance cover it?

Yes, EMDR is an evidence-based therapy for trauma, therefore it is covered by third party payers (insurance).

What is Sandtray Therapy?

Sandtray Therapy helps clients to deal with challenges and overcome difficulties they have experienced in their past or present. Clients work with sand trays and figurines as a way to begin to express emotions and with the guidance of the counselor become empowered to make positive changes in their lives.

COVID-19 Questions

Do you offer TeleHealth sessions by video conference?

Yes, I offer TeleHealth videoconferences, in addition to face to face sessions in our office. Please check with your insurance to be sure that TeleHealth sessions are covered by your particular insurance plan.