You Don’t Have to Commit to Weekly Therapy to Get Real Support

There's a version of therapy that a lot of people picture when they hear the word: showing up every week, for months, unpacking your entire history, working through layers and layers of everything that's ever gone wrong. And honestly? That kind of deep, ongoing work is incredibly valuable — it's something I do with clients regularly, and I believe in it.

But it's not the only way therapy can help you.

Sometimes what you need isn't a long-term commitment. Sometimes you're carrying one specific thing, and you just need focused space to finally work through it. That's exactly what a Single Session Consultation (SSC) is for.

So What Is a Single Session Consultation?

A Single Session Consultation (SSC) is a standalone, 75-minute therapy session built entirely around whatever you're bringing to the table that day. There's no intake process, no expectation of ongoing sessions, and no pressure to continue unless you decide you want to.

It's one intentional, focused conversation with a licensed therapist where we get straight to work on the specific thing you came in to address. You leave with real clarity, a concrete next step, and a better understanding of where you're at and what you need.

Think of it less like "starting therapy" and more like finally making time for that conversation you've been needing to have.

Who Is This For?

I designed the SSC for people who don't fit neatly into the traditional weekly therapy model — and that's more people than you might think.

This might be exactly what you need if:

You're dealing with something specific. Maybe you got some difficult news. Maybe you're in the middle of a decision you can't seem to make. Maybe something happened recently and you need space to process it before it takes up any more real estate in your head.

You're therapy-curious but not ready to commit. You've been thinking about starting therapy for a while but something keeps stopping you — the cost, the time, not knowing if it's "bad enough" to warrant it. A single session is a low-pressure way to experience what therapy actually feels like without locking yourself into anything.

Life just got heavy. You're not in crisis. Nothing catastrophic happened. But you've been feeling off lately — stretched thin, emotionally drained, stuck in a loop — and you could really use someone to help you sort through it.

You've done therapy before and need a tune-up. You've done the work, you know the tools, but something's come up that you want to process with a professional. You don't need to start over from scratch — you just need one good session.

You're going through a major transition. A breakup, a job change, a move, a loss, a new chapter you didn't ask for. Transitions are disorienting even when they're good ones. Having a dedicated space to think out loud can make a real difference.

What Actually Happens in a Single Session Consultation?

Before we meet, you'll complete a brief intake form. This isn't a long, detailed history — it's a focused set of questions that help me understand what you're coming in with so we can hit the ground running. The session is 75 minutes, which gives us enough time to go deep without feeling rushed.

When we connect via telehealth, here's how it tends to go:

We start by getting clear on what you're bringing to the session — what's happening, what you've already tried, and what you're hoping to walk away with. Then we dig in. I use evidence-based approaches tailored to what you're working through, and I'll help you identify what's keeping you stuck, see things from a new angle, or make sense of what you're feeling.

By the end of the session, you'll leave with something real. Not a vague "let's explore that more." A clearer perspective, a decision you can actually make, or a concrete next step forward.

At the end of the session, I'll check in about whether ongoing support might be helpful for you. If it makes sense, we can talk about what that looks like. If it doesn't, that's completely fine too. Either way, you're in control.

‍ ‍

What Are the Benefits?

It meets you where you are. You don't have to be in crisis to deserve support. You don't have to have a diagnosis. You don't have to have a full list of things to work through. You just have to show up with what's on your mind — and we'll work with that.

No long-term commitment required. One of the biggest barriers to seeking therapy is the feeling of signing up for something indefinite. The SSC removes that completely. It's one session, and it's complete in itself. That's not a consolation prize — research actually shows that a single, well-structured therapy session can produce meaningful change for many people.

You get focused, efficient support. Because there's no long backstory to build, we can get right to the heart of what's going on. The focus of a single session is often one of its greatest strengths.

It's accessible. At $175 for 75 minutes via telehealth, the SSC is a practical option for people who can't commit to ongoing therapy financially, logistically, or emotionally right now. No insurance needed. No waitlists. Same-week availability is often possible.

It often creates momentum. Many clients find that one good session gives them enough clarity and direction to move forward on their own — and that's a win. Others find it opens the door to wanting more support, and we continue from there. Both outcomes are exactly right.

A Note on What This Isn't

A Single Session Consultation is therapy with a licensed clinical social worker, but it isn't a crisis service, a diagnostic evaluation, or a substitute for ongoing care if you're managing a serious mental health condition. If you're in crisis, please reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.

If you're unsure whether an SSC is the right fit for your situation, feel free to reach out and we can figure it out together.

Ready to Book?

The Single Session Consultation is available via telehealth across South Carolina and Florida. Sessions are $175, cash-pay only, and same-week availability is often possible.

Book online or reach out directly at angel@evergreeninsightsllc.org

Angel Carswell is a Licensed Independent Social Worker – Clinical Practice and Supervisor (LISW-CP/S) and the founder of Evergreen Insights LLC, a telehealth private practice serving clients in South Carolina and Florida. She specializes in anxiety, life transitions, grief, and the messy, confusing parts of being human.

I’m Making a Change… Goodbye Insurance!

After months of reflection and deliberation, I wanted to share an important update about my practice. Beginning February 2026, I will fully transition from accepting insurance & insurance EAP to private pay only for all sessions. 

How this change benefits you!

Enhanced privacy and confidentiality: When using insurance, diagnostic labels, treatment plans, and clinical notes often become part of your permanent record within insurance systems. With self-pay, your therapeutic information stays solely between us, giving you much more control over your privacy.

More flexibility in your treatment: Insurance companies often influence how often we can meet, how long sessions can be, and which types of treatment are considered medically necessary. Shifting to self-pay allows us to tailor therapy to your needs, not what a third party approves.

Reduced stigma and no pressure for unnecessary diagnoses: Insurance requires a mental health diagnosis to approve and pay for therapy. This can create the message that every struggle must be labeled as a mental illness, and not every challenge requires a diagnosis. Many things you face are normal human experiences rather than clinical disorders.

More continuity and stability in care: Plan changes, deductible resets, or insurance network shifts can interrupt care. With self-pay, you keep the clinician who already knows you well and understands your long-term goals.

Out-of-network benefits may help cover part of your cost: If your insurance plan offers out-of-network benefits, you may be able to get partial reimbursement for your sessions even though I am not billing insurance directly. Many plans will reimburse a percentage of the session fee once you meet your out-of-network deductible.

If this applies to you, I can provide a monthly statement (also called a superbill) that you can submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement. This allows you to use your benefits while still having the privacy and flexibility of self-pay.

Why I am making this shift!

I have always built my practice around what is best for the client. Over time, I have come to realize that the constraints insurance places on the therapeutic process, including diagnostic requirements, session limitations, and documentation demands, are no longer in line with the kind of supportive, individualized practice I want to run. Moving to a self-pay model allows me to provide care that is more aligned with my values and gives us the freedom to work together in a way that genuinely supports your wellbeing.

What You Need to Do

You can view the session lengths & rates offered on the Services page.

If you plan to use out-of-network benefits, call your insurance company to ask:

• Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits?

• What percentage do you reimburse for CPT code 90837 or 90791?

• What is my out-of-network deductible, and how much of it has been met?

• How do I submit claims or superbills?

Thank you for your continued trust and for being such an important part of my practice.