Frequently Asked Questions

My practice is entirely virtual, allowing us to connect wherever is most convenient for you.

I offer online therapy and forensic services throughout Texas.

My fee structure is based on whether the service is forensic or non-forensic. Non-forensic clients are those who are not involved in the court system. Forensic clients are individuals who are involved in litigation or are working with an attorney to address family issues, court-ordered treatment, active Child Protection Services (CPS) or Children’s Assessment Center (CAC) cases, parents with restraining orders against the other biological parent, or those whose children are working with a court-appointed Amicus (an attorney representing the child(ren.)

Clients must sign the appropriate contract for services rendered.

“Because I can usually handle my problems.”

Challenging situations are simply a fact of life. While you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties, there’s nothing wrong with seeking extra support when you need it.

Therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. Some of the strongest people I know take this step.

Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.

Of course, it’s a little different for everyone. Here are some caution flags that you might need some help from a professional:

… when the way you feel begins to negatively impact your sleep, job, school work, appetite, relationships, or your decision-making abilities.

… when you feel ‘stuck’ and unable to move ahead.

… when you feel “blue,” hopeless, or feel that things just aren’t getting better.

That’s a really good question.

People have many different motivations for coming to psychotherapy: major transitions like a job loss, divorce, death of a loved one, etc. Some people need assistance managing a range of other issues, such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, addictions, relationship problems, or spiritual conflicts.

During these trials, we often dismiss feelings of anxiety, emotional pain, relationship stress, or depression as “just life”… even to the point of encountering real difficulty in normal day-to-day functioning.

Therapy can help provide some much-needed encouragement and help with skills to get through these periods. In short, people seeking psychotherapy are ready to meet the challenges in their lives and ready to make changes in their lives.

So if you are one of those folks wrestling with the idea of therapy, I do recognize how it’s easy to put off seeking help. The decision to get help can be tough for many people.

However, I have consistently found that deciding to take responsibility for your mental well-being is an empowering first step. It takes courage, but it puts you back in control. Even this small action step of reaching out can have a surprisingly positive effect on your outlook!

I am steadfast in my belief that confidentiality is of paramount importance between a client and psychotherapist. For therapy to be successful, our relationship requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive and personal issues that are usually not discussed anywhere but between us. I respect that.

Before starting work together, I will provide you with a written copy of my confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone.

At times, you may want me to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (e.g., your physician, psychiatrist, school teacher, attorney); however, I am restricted from releasing this this information without obtaining your written permission.

Yes, there are. And let me be very clear here so that there is no misunderstanding. State law and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations:

If I suspect past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults with special needs, or elderly persons, I must report it to authorities, including adult protection services, child protection services, and law enforcement agencies. The authorities receiving the report are determined by information provided by the client or collateral sources.

If I have reason to suspect that you are seriously in danger of harming yourself or have threatened to harm another person, I may break confidentiality to get you help and prevent harm.

If a court order issued by a judge, requires the release of information contained in records if subpoenaed, I may be required to provide testimony in a court hearing.

We can discuss this further at our first appointment together, and I will gladly answer any other questions you have on limits to confidentiality.

Yes. The divorce decree will spell out the consenting rights of each parent, typically found before page 10 of this lengthy document. I must review it in order to be sure your rights are being properly met and we are abiding by the law.

It can undoubtedly be confusing, with all these terms sounding very similar.
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor. After qualifying as a doctor, they have continued their studies to specialize in psychiatry. They can prescribe psychotropic medications.
A psychologist, like myself, has completed a minimum of 7 years of academic study, including a year or longer research project known as a dissertation. We also must complete a 12-month pre-doctoral internship. Upon graduation, another 12-month post-doctoral internship must be completed. Lastly, in terms of training, we are required to complete a year of supervised practice. At this point, one must pass a licensing exam and oral examination by the licensing board to practice as a licensed psychologist in Texas. At a minimum, psychologists have completed a bachelor’s degree plus master’s/postgraduate training in psychology. We are trained to assess and treat mental health concerns by providing evidence-based therapeutic interventions. Psychologists are also uniquely qualified to administer and interpret psychological evaluations.
Counselors also complete academic training. However, there is more variation in terms of the pathway they have taken to become a counselor, as there are several different programs or types. All counselors must adhere to ethical guidelines outlined by their respective licensing authority. They are trained to provide a safe, nonjudgmental space for you to talk through and explore your concerns.

If you need to cancel your appointment, please contact me at least 24 hours in advance of your session (i.e., if you have a 10 am appointment on a Monday, cancellation should be made on or before the preceding Friday at 10 am). Sessions canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice will be charged the full session rate.

Call (281) 242-2595 and speak directly with front office staff or leave a message for me to return your call. You may also reach me through our office email at sugarbendcenter@sugarbendcenter.com or my direct email of drshea@protonmail.com.

Yes, I am licensed through the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists. To learn more, you may visit the link https://www.tsbep.texas.gov.

When I was young, my mother had eight children before she was 29 years old. We grew up in the rural south and lived in poverty for many years. The challenges faced daily made it incredibly difficult for her in so many ways. When she began to experience mental health problems, she was unable to get the care and support from the professionals who attended her. Although I was a child, I witnessed several negative experiences with mental health providers and decided, “I don’t like psychologists.”

I grew up, earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, and decided to pursue graduate school. I was interested in the psychological field and legal field. I took the law school entrance exam and applied to graduate programs at the same time. My thinking was one door would open, and the other would not. However, both doors opened simultaneously!

I consulted with an attorney I knew who was also a psychologist. He encouraged me to pursue both. The more I investigated my options, the clearer my goal became, and I decided to pursue clinical psychology with an emphasis on forensics.

This career decision has been a blessing in my life, as I have been able to support families and individuals as they face difficulties in a variety of circumstances.

As the infamous Paul Harvey would say, “Page Two!” Over time, my mother found genuinely caring support for her depression and anxiety symptoms. I am thankful to report my 86-year-old mother is healthy, happy, and high functioning to this day!

I am currently an out-of-network provider with all insurance plans. I choose to work this way for several reasons.

First, my clients take comfort in knowing that I strive to get to know them personally and will always have their best interests at heart. Treatment decisions by insurance companies are arbitrarily enforced by insurance reviewers who often do not have an understanding of client-centered care.

Additionally, insurance companies may require detailed information about you as a condition of payment. Such requirements are a serious breach of the traditional private and confidential relationship between client and clinician.

However, you are able to use your Health Savings Account (HSA); Flexible Spending Account (FSA); personal checking account; debit card, or other major credit cards to pay for services.

Please note: Insurance companies require a mental health diagnosis to reimburse for mental health services. Every insurance company handles reimbursement differently, and it is incumbent upon you to facilitate this process with your insurance company. For clients seeking reimbursement, we are happy to provide coded super bills or invoices.

Because therapy is tailored specifically to you and the challenges you are facing, there’s no pre-defined period of time for ongoing therapy sessions.

Sometimes incredible progress is made in one session, but it’s not uncommon for therapy to span over a period of weeks or months. Our individual sessions are generally about 50 minutes in length; yet, there are longer and shorter sessions based on individual needs and goals.

Most appointments are 50 minutes in length; however, sometimes longer appointments are pre-booked depending on the purpose and need. I work with every client’s unique situation to find the format and approach that works best given their particular strengths and struggles.

Sometimes you might come in with an agenda or something specific that happened that you would like to talk about. Other times, you might be excited to share a success story! Or you might have an emotion that’s upsetting you… or a “can’t quite put my finger on it” feeling you can’t shake. Sessions move forward based on your needs at the time, and being actively involved and collaborating together is important.

In addition to in-session discussion and activities, I am a big believer in outside activities or assignments that stem from issues we treat in session (like reading a specific book or keeping a thought log or journal). Ultimately, the goal is to identify the areas where change or help is needed, set realistic objectives, and equip you with resources and strategies for both near-term and long-term success.

No, you may if you prefer to, but many clients sit on the sofa or chair and some even pace in the room when getting to know me.

In all my years of counseling, I have only had three people who chose to recline on the sofa while receiving therapy. I will try to make our ambiance comfortable for you, so please let us know if you have a special request or need. For example, I’ve had a client who needed the fluorescent overhead lights turned off, and we used natural window lighting and lamps due to her migraines and other neurological challenges.

Professional counseling allows you to share – and also to gain a new understanding and perspective.

Life can be hard at times, and difficult circumstances are sometimes beyond our control, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Therapy helps you set real-life achievable goals and assists you in making lasting changes to help you reach these goals. By getting to the root of the issues and learning techniques for changing your unhealthy behaviors, you become equipped to both regain control and practice healthy patterns for long-lasting improvement.

But there’s even more! Our work together can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, and stress. Many people also find that our work can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, parenting issues, and the hassles of daily life.

Through therapy, you will find a fresh perspective on difficult problems. Of course, there is no “magic wand” in therapy. The benefits you obtain depend on how well you use our time together and work to put into practice what you learn.

Imagine… learning new ways to cope with stress, sleeping better, feeling less anxiety; managing your anger better; enjoying peaceful, happy thoughts; or, actually being heard and understood when you communicate with your loved one. Can you see yourself changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones? Imagine the relief of discovering new ways to solve problems within your family! People ready for change are courageous. This can happen to you!

No, I do not prescribe medications. If you need medication related to mental health, it is my recommendation that you see a psychiatrist who has special training in psychotropic drugs. If you have trouble getting an appointment, it may be wise to see your primary care physician who can assist you in getting started on medication until the psychiatrist appointment date. Then you will be able to let the psychiatrist know what drug you have been on during the interim and the benefits or any concerns you have at that time.

If you are not sure whether you need medication, please discuss it with me. We can assess your symptoms to know the preferred treatment for your situation.

Yes, I have clients who specifically contact me for Christian counseling. Many times, these referrals come from individuals who have heard about me from another client. I do not advertise as a “Christian counselor.” I am a Christian in my faith, and I am a psychologist in my vocation.

In terms of credentials, I hold a biblical studies degree. I have been officially ordained to provide ministry services such as weddings, funerals, etc., but I do not offer those services. I have provided spiritual counseling both to persons requesting it to address fundamental psychological concerns, as well as to those who are seeking specific support in their journey of faith. I provide non-religious counseling to many other clients, who do not choose to address their faith in therapy.

I also have clients who are members of other religions, non-Christian, agnostic, and atheist. I say this because it is important to me that you understand, I do therapy based on your goals. You are hiring me as a clinical professional, and it is YOUR goals we focus on. My faith in Jesus as my savior is sacred to me, and it informs all my decisions; in particular, how I behave ethically with clients and in all areas whether professional or personal.

In essence, I am saying that if you hire me to paint your house, I don’t spend time washing your car. It is as simple as that for me.

Sometimes, in fact, it is helpful to see how two people fight. It gives insight into the things that are and those that are not working well in the relationship.

Usually when couples begin, they are either very distant from each other or guarded against me. However, within a couple of sessions, this discomfort subsides, and both can share more openly knowing I am not shocked or judging their relationship based on the problems they are facing together.

Call or email to let us know you would like to schedule an initial appointment. If leaving a message after hours, please provide your full name, phone number, and an email we may use to send paperwork.

My practice documents will be sent and are easy to complete online. Once documentation is completed, call or email to set up your initial appointment.

Please note: there is a limited window of time to complete the paperwork. If you are unable to do so within 1-2 days, please let us know if you are blocked from the portal so that we can reactivate it for you.