Questions and Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I initiate service with us at Life Essentials Psychology?
Services can be initiated by
- completing our mental health service request form;
- calling us (763) 317-8255, or
- emailing us to let us know you’re requesting services.
When and how therapy services are provided?
Services are offered during the day, afternoon, and evenings.
Services are available at our physical office in Andover and virtually via HIPAA compliant telehealth platforms (Zoom and Google Meet).
We do not offer services by phone.
Psychotherapy vs Psychiatry
Psychotherapy is mental health therapy. We are offering mental health therapy in an office setting and virtually via HIPAA compliant telehealth platforms (Zoom and Google Meet).
Psychiatry is provided by a medical provider either Medical Doctor or Nurse Practitioner for medication evaluation and management.
What about the assessments?
As mental health therapists, we provide Diagnostic Assessments. We refer out for neuro/psychological evaluation and comprehensive substance use disorder assessment.
Diagnostic Assessment: A structured, in-depth clinical interview and evaluation process conducted by a licensed mental health professional or clinical trainee. The primary goal is to systematically gather history, current symptoms, life stressors, and functional impairment across various domains (e.g., social, occupational, educational). This information is then used to formulate a precise mental health diagnosis, determine the severity of symptoms, identify co-occurring conditions, and ultimately provide tailored treatment recommendations and an appropriate plan of care.
Neuropsychological Evaluation: A comprehensive evaluation of cognitive and behavioral functions, including memory, attention, executive function, language, and perception. It helps identify how different brain areas are functioning and can be used to diagnose conditions like dementia, traumatic brain injury, or learning disorders.
Psychological Evaluation: A process of testing that uses a combination of techniques to help arrive at some hypotheses about a person’s behavior, personality, and capabilities. It can include measures of intelligence, personality, emotional functioning, and psychopathology, and is used to diagnose mental health disorders and inform treatment planning.
Comprehensive Substance Use Disorder Assessment: A thorough evaluation conducted by a qualified professional to determine the presence and severity of a substance use disorder. It gathers information on the type, frequency, and amount of substance use, the negative consequences related to the use, and any co-occurring mental health conditions to develop a personalized treatment plan.
Is medical insurance accepted?
Yes, we accept the following medical insurances: Aetna, America’s PPO, BCBS, Cigna, HealthPartners, Hennepin Health, MA/Medicaid, Medica, Medicare, PrimeWest Health, South Country Health Alliance, TriCare, UCare, UMR, and United Healthcare.
Our providers may accept most to all insurances mentioned. Some insurance plans have restrictive networks, meaning we may not be in-network even though we are a contracted provider with the stated medical insurance. We recommend checking to see if the provider is in-network with your medical insurance plan to confirm.
What happens if there are multiple active medical insurance? Which one do I provide?
To utilize insurance benefits, we need all medical insurance information. This is because one is primary and the other is secondary. The service will be billed to the primary insurance. Once primary insurance processed the service, it is sent to secondary insurance for processing. Once that is processed, anything left as patient responsibility is then client/parent/legal guardian’s responsibility.
Crisis
There is immediate assistance for crisis for those residing in or located within Anoka County. Reach out to Anoka County Mobile Crisis Response at (763) 755-3801.
If this is an emergency, go to your nearest hospital. The hospital closest to our Andover office is Mercy Hospital – Unity Campus at 550 Osborne Rd, Fridley, MN 55432.
Clinics we collaborate with
Introspect Mental Health: This organization provides psychiatric services. Referrals are appropriate for individuals requesting medication management with a psychiatry provider.
Anchor Recovery: This center offers comprehensive substance use disorder assessments and outpatient substance use treatment (ASAM Levels 2.1 and 1.0). Recommend for individuals in need of a substance use assessment or treatment.
Center for Collaborative Health: This practice conducts psychological evaluations to aid in the clarification of mental health symptomatology. Referrals are suitable when mental health symptoms are complex or necessitate an in-depth specialized testing for conditions such as ADHD, dissociation, or personality disorders.