Thank you for visiting our clinician FAQ page to find out a little more information about our practice. Researching your potential therapist is an excellent first step to determine whether you will have a good fit once you meet in person. Hopefully the FAQ below will give you more information about our practice, but please feel free to send an email to the owner Asha Gray LPC at asha@ashagraylpc.com if you have further questions.

Coaching FAQ can be found under the Coaching Tab!

How do I set up an appointment as a new client?

For all new clients please email your chosen clinician, about availability of sessions before scheduling. If you aren't sure who is a good fit would, reach out to the practice owner Asha Gray at asha@ashagraylpc.com . Please include a few words about your current needs in therapy, your insurance plan, preference of therapist, gender or ethnicity, desire for in person or telehealth sessions and requests for sliding scale, if needed. 

We ask that folks cancel or reschedule at least 48 hours before their appointment time so they are not held financially responsible for the session fee. Insurance does not cover missed or late canceled sessions. Please be aware when booking a session you will be asked for a payment to hold your session. This can be changed when we meet, if needed. If you do not have a payment method to put on file, please contact us so another arrangement can be made.

Who do you provide counseling to?

We provide counseling to adult individuals, couples, and partnerships of more than 2. Adults are defined as individuals over the age of 18. We have experience providing sex, trauma, Queer affirming and neurodivergent aware therapy to individuals and couples seeking sexual and gender identity growth. We do not provide family therapy or therapy to children. In the case of relationship dynamics with more than two individuals seeking short term therapy, please email us before booking an appointment.

COVID Policy

We are providing both in person and telehealth sessions. Telehealth session can be provided to residents of VA, MD or DC, depending on the chosen therapist. We can provide in person sessions to anyone who is fully vaccinated, boosted, past the 2 week immunity window and willing to provide us with validation via their vaccination card. Masking is not required for in person sessions but absolutely allowed. In persons sessions would occur in Alexandria or for Kay Lewis MFT in downtown DC. 

How do telehealth services work?

Telehealth services have become much more popular and common since 2020. But there's still a lot of confusion about how it works. Telehealth means you can receive your therapy services via video on your phone, tablet or computer via an internet connection. We provide telehealth services via a HIPAA compliant platform. To receive telehealth services you must be located in your therapists state of licensure at the time of the service. For example, that means if your clinician is licensed in Washington DC you must be located in DC at the time of your services. 

We ask that you be in a therapeutically appropriate and safe space for your services. That might be your home, a non moving car, your office with a closed door, sitting or walking outside when you aren't near other people, who could hear you. If you are in a place that is semi-private, we ask you use headphones and take every reasonable precaution to assure privacy and safety. If you are not in the state of your clinicians licensure or the clinician believes the space is not private enough or safe, your session will be ended and rescheduled. 

What does sex positive, kink and neurodivergent affirming, body positive, etc., mean?

It means when you come into a session with us, we will not judge you based on how you look, what you are into, who you are into or how your brain works. Seems basic right? But, as we all know, not every therapist is created equal, and some harbor internal biases against what they consider non-normative. You’ll have no issue with that here. We believe if you are engaging in a behavior that fulfills you and does not cause you or anyone else non-consensual harm, then you should continue to do so. However, if you are having difficulty or are feeling negatively about an activity/behavior you’re engaging in, we can assist you with working through your discomfort to determine what the best course of action is for you. 

Can you provide premarital counseling?

Yes, Asha Gray LPC, Rachael Stern MSW and Alexis Logan MSW, can provide non-religious, sex positive, neurodivergent affirming, premarital counseling. Our practice also provides relationship counseling for individuals, couples, partnerships of more than 2, and marriage counseling. These services are not covered by insurance.

What is a residential or provisionally licensed clinician?

A residential counselor, sometimes known as a graduate or master's level counselor, is a provisionally licensed counselor. The purpose of the residency period is to train residents to become fully functioning independent professional counselors, therapists, or clinical social workers. While in residency counselors are provided clinically supervision on all cases by a fully licensed counselor.  Residency occurs after clinician has completed an internship of 600 or more hours at an accredited university or college.

What is a Psychotherapy Intern?

An Intern is a masters or doctorate level student working on the therapeutic practice portion of the degree. Their internship is the last step before graduating and receiving their limited license. They are supervised by a site clinician. At Blue Box Psychotherapy the site clinician is owner, Asha Gray LPC. They additionally receive support and supervision by their internship professor and university advisor. When working with a psychotherapy intern, their supervisor’s information will be included on the superbill. So for insurance purposes, you’d be able to submit a claim under the intern's supervisor's name. If you don't have insurance, interns offer a low sliding scale. Finally, an intern is usually only with the practice for a total of a year. Once their internship is completed you may choose to continue on with your clinician or will be given referrals of other therapists to reach out to, if needed.