I provide individual therapy online (also known as telemental health) to clients located throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Sessions are held through a HIPAA-compliant, secure video platform, which means I’ve taken careful steps to ensure that our communication remains private and confidential.

To learn more about how online therapy works, visit my Online Counseling page. You can also check out my blog for a deeper look into telemental health and how it can support your healing journey.

I will meet you exactly where you are — without judgment or pressure — and tailor therapy to fit your unique needs. I take a holistic approach, because I believe true healing involves looking at the whole picture: your mind, body, emotions, relationships, and environment.

Together, we’ll explore the areas of your life that feel out of balance and identify what you’d like to change. I draw from a variety of tools and evidence-based techniques, always adapting to what works best for you. Most importantly, we’ll create goals collaboratively — based on what you want to achieve — so therapy feels aligned, empowering, and meaningful.

I’m a very down-to-earth and humble person, and clients often tell me that makes it easier to open up. Therapy with me will likely feel more like a conversation — relaxed, supportive, and completely focused on you. My job is to show up fully, listen deeply, and work with you to create real, lasting change.

You don’t have to worry about complicated jargon or clinical talk — I’m all about keeping things real and making therapy feel approachable. While I stay grounded in research and evidence-based practices, I know you don’t need every technical detail — so we’ll keep it simple and meaningful.

I also enjoy using humor (when it fits), because connection and laughter can be powerful parts of the healing process. If that’s not your thing, no problem — I always respect your preferences and meet you where you are.

I have a variety of tools, techniques, and resources that I’ll introduce along the way — all of which have helped many clients before you. My hope is that they’ll support you, too, as you move toward healing and personal growth.

My specialty — and my passion — is working with women and teen girls who are navigating anxiety, trauma, self-esteem issues, and life transitions. I strive to create a safe, supportive space where clients can feel seen, heard, and empowered to make meaningful change.

While my practice primarily focuses on supporting women and adolescent girls, I also work with men and individuals of all backgrounds. If you’re wondering whether we might be a good fit, I encourage you to reach out. I’d be happy to connect and explore how I can support you on your healing journey.

Person-Centered Therapy (also known as Rogerian Therapy)
This is a non-authoritative, client-led approach where you set the pace and direction of each session. My role is to be a compassionate, empathetic facilitator — someone who listens without judgment and supports you in exploring what matters most to you. You’re in control, and I’m here to walk beside you.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT explores the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The idea is that by identifying and shifting unhelpful thought patterns, you can begin to feel better and make meaningful changes in your life. Once this connection really clicks, it can be truly life-changing.

Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present in the moment — without judgment or distraction. This technique is especially powerful for managing anxiety, trauma responses, and emotional overwhelm. I often incorporate mindfulness to help clients find calm, clarity, and grounding.

Motivational Interviewing (MI)
MI is a practical, supportive, and short-term approach that helps you work through ambivalence about change. It’s especially helpful if you’re feeling stuck or unsure where to start. Together, we’ll explore your readiness and find the motivation that already exists within you.

I accept the following insurance plans:

Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Aetna.

If you’re using private pay, my current rates are:

• Initial Intake Session: $250

• 60-Minute Individual Session: $185

• 45-Minute Individual Session: $150

Why Some Clients Choose to Pay Privately (Self-Pay):
While I’m in-network with several insurance providers, many clients still choose to pay privately for therapy. Here’s why:

• Confidentiality — With private pay, your personal information stays between us. Insurance companies can request documentation and may audit therapists, which means your session notes and diagnosis could be reviewed.

• No Diagnosis Required — Insurance requires a mental health diagnosis and medical necessity. With private pay, we can focus on your goals without labels.

• More Flexibility — You’re not limited by insurance approvals, session caps, or treatment restrictions.

• Support for Life Challenges — Insurance may not cover therapy for stress, personal growth, relationship struggles, or life transitions — but those concerns still deserve support.

If you have out-of-network benefits, I can provide a superbill for potential reimbursement.

Nurturing Hearts Therapeutic Services

926 Haddonfield Road, Number 667, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002

856-209-3049; melissa@nurturingheartstherapy.com; www.nurturingheartstherapy.com

YOUR RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS AGAINST SURPRISE MEDICAL BILLS

(OMB Control Number: 0938-1401)

When you get emergency care or get treated by an out-of-network provider at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, you are protected from surprise billing or balance billing.

What is “balance billing” (sometimes called “surprise billing”)?

When you see a doctor or other health care provider, you may owe certain out-of-pocket costs, such as a copayment, coinsurance, and/or a deductible. You may have other costs or have to pay the entire bill if you see a provider or visit a health care facility that isn’t in your health plan’s network.

“Out-of-network” describes providers and facilities that haven’t signed a contract with your health plan. Out-of-network providers may be permitted to bill you for the difference between   what your plan agreed to pay and the full amount charged for a service. This is called “balance billing.” This amount is likely more than in-network costs for the same service and might not count toward your annual out-of-pocket limit.

“Surprise billing” is an unexpected balance bill. This can happen when you can’t control who is involved in your care – like when you have an emergency or when you schedule a visit at an in-network facility but are unexpectedlytreated by an out-of-network provider.

You are protected from balance billing for:

Emergency services

If you have an emergency medical condition and get emergency services from an out-of-network provider or facility, the most the provider or facility may bill you is your plan’s in-network cost-sharing amount (such as copayments and coinsurance). You can’t be balance billed for these emergency services. This includes services you may get after you’re in stable  condition, unless you give written consent and give up your protections not to be balanced billed for these post-stabilization services

Certain services at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center

When you get services from an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, certain providers there may be out-of-network. In these cases, the most those providers may bill you is  your plan’s in-network cost-sharing amount. This applies to emergency medicine, anesthesia, pathology, radiology, laboratory, neonatology, assistant surgeon, hospitalist, or intensivist services. These providers can’t balance bill you and may not ask you to give up your protections  not to bebalance billed.

If you get other services at these in-network facilities, out-of-network providers can’t balance  bill you unless you givewritten consent and give up your protections.

You’re never required to give up your protection from balance billing. You also aren’t required to get care out-of-network. You can choose a provider or facility in your plan’s network.

When balance billing isn’t allowed, you also have the following  protections:

• You are only responsible for paying your share of the cost (like the copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles that you would pay if the provider or facility was in-network). Your health plan will pay out-of-network providers and facilities
• Your health plan generally must:
• Cover emergency services without requiring you to get approval for services in advance (priorauthorization).
• Cover emergency services by out-of-network
• Base what you owe the provider or facility (cost-sharing) on what it would pay an in-network provider or facility and show that amount in your explanation of
• Count any amount you pay for emergency services or out-of-network services toward your deductible and out-of-pocket

If you believe you’ve been wrongly billed, you may contact New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs- askconsumeraffairs@dca.lps.state.nj.us;  973-504-6200

Visit https://www.cms.gov/files/document/model-disclosure-notice-patient-protections-against-surprise-billing-providers-facilities-health.pdf for more information about your rights under Federal law.

Visit https://www.state.nj.us/dobi/division_consumers/insurance/outofnetwork.html for more information about your rights under NJ laws.