Therapy FAQs | David Hoy & Associates

If you are considering professional mental health therapy in Golden Valley, Chaska, or anywhere across the Twin Cities, choosing the right mental health clinic and therapist can feel overwhelming. Below are clear answers to the questions Minnesota residents most often ask about cost, insurance, what to expect, and how to get started at David Hoy & Associates.

How much does therapy cost?

Therapy costs in the Twin Cities typically range from around $93 to $180 per hour, depending on the practice and whether you use insurance. At David Hoy & Associates, the self-pay rate is $150 per hour for individual or family therapy, $80 per hour for skills-based services, and $30 per hour for travel time on in-home visits across the broader Twin Cities metro. The same cash rates apply at both the Golden Valley and Chaska offices. If you use insurance, your cost per session is determined by your plan’s copay, deductible, and coinsurance terms. The practice is in network with most major Minnesota carriers, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, HealthPartners, UCare, Medica, Cigna, and Aetna.

Does insurance cover therapy in Minnesota?

Yes, most major insurance plans in Minnesota cover outpatient therapy, though specific coverage varies by carrier and policy. Plans typically cover diagnostic assessments (CPT 90791), individual therapy (CPT 90837), and family therapy (CPT 90847). To confirm your benefits, call the customer service number on the back of your insurance card and ask about outpatient mental health coverage, your copay, deductible, and any session limits. For clients in Golden Valley, Chaska, and the broader Twin Cities area, in-network plans commonly include Blue Cross Blue Shield, HealthPartners, UCare, Medica, Cigna, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Surest, and Medicare Part B. Verifying benefits before your first appointment helps you avoid surprises and decide whether self-pay or insurance billing makes more sense for your situation.

Do you accept Medical Assistance or Medicare for therapy?

Yes, Minnesota’s Medical Assistance programs (Medicaid), and Medicare are accepted for therapy services at both office locations. Coverage available across the Twin Cities includes Medicare, Medical Assistance, Blue Plus PMAP, HealthPartners PMAP, UCare PMAP, Hennepin Health, PrimeWest, and United Behavioral Health PMAP. Medical Assistance also pays for specialized programs that are not always covered by private insurance, including Children’s Therapeutic Services and Supports (CTSS) and in-home mental health therapy for children with severe emotional needs. These programs can be especially helpful for families in Golden Valley, Chaska, and surrounding Hennepin and Carver County communities who need wraparound care beyond traditional office visits. If you are not sure whether your plan qualifies, the intake team can verify coverage before you schedule a first session.

What ages do you work with?

Clients of all ages are welcome, from young children through older adults. Both the Golden Valley and Chaska offices provide child counseling using play therapy and age-appropriate techniques, teen counseling for adolescents working through anxiety, depression, identity questions, and family stress, and adult individual therapy for issues ranging from career stress to trauma to relationship concerns. Couples therapy and family therapy are also available, including for blended families and those navigating parenting struggles. For children with more complex needs, including those eligible through Medical Assistance, in-home and school-based mental health services are provided across the Minneapolis metro. When you contact intake, sharing the age of the client or each family member involved helps the team match you with a therapist whose specialty fits, whether that is early childhood, adolescent, or adult care.

What types of therapy do you offer?

A wide range of evidence-based and integrative therapies are available, so the right approach can be matched to your needs. Core modalities include Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Brainspotting, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). For clients who respond better to expressive or experiential approaches, particularly children and trauma survivors, Animal-Assisted Therapy, play therapy, and art therapy are also offered. Common concerns treated include anxiety, depression, trauma, and grief, along with neurodevelopmental and lifespan issues like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and ADHD. Therapists at the Golden Valley and Chaska offices work with individuals, couples, and families across the Minneapolis metro, and can coordinate care across multiple family members when appropriate. Matching the right modality to your situation is a deliberate part of intake, and the text line at 763-334-7092 helps make that matching faster.

What kinds of issues can you help people with?

Therapists across both offices help with a wide range of mental, emotional, relational, and behavioral concerns. Common issues treated include anxiety, depression, stress, trauma and PTSD, grief, self-esteem struggles, mood disorders like bipolar disorder, ADHD, and autism. On the relationship side, the team works with couples on marital discord, communication breakdowns, attachment difficulties, adoption issues, and blended family dynamics. Children and teens are supported with behavioral problems, school stress, parenting-related challenges, and identity questions. Life-stage concerns like career stress, major transitions, chronic illness coping, and LGBTQIA+ affirming care are also part of regular practice. Whether you are in Golden Valley, Chaska, or anywhere across the Twin Cities, the intake team will match your specific concern with a clinician whose specialty fits, since most therapists focus on a few core areas rather than treating everything.

How do I get started with therapy?

You can get started in three steps: contact the office, share intake information, and wait to be matched with a therapist. To begin, call the Golden Valley office at 763-544-1006 or the Chaska office at 952-361-3360, send a text to 763-334-7092, or fill out the contact form on the practice website. You will provide basic demographic details, insurance information, scheduling preferences, and a short description of what is bringing you to therapy. Within about a week, the intake team matches you with a therapist who specializes in your area of concern, whether that is anxiety, trauma, child counseling, or relationship issues. New clients across the Minneapolis metro can also request a free 20-minute phone consultation before committing.

How long does it take to get matched with a therapist?

Matching with a therapist typically takes up to one week from the time you submit your intake information. The intake team reviews your scheduling availability, insurance coverage, and the concerns you would like to address, then assigns a therapist whose specialty and availability fit your needs. Once matched, your therapist contacts you directly to schedule the first session and emails the intake paperwork in advance. With more than 45 therapists at the Golden Valley office, additional clinicians in Chaska, and telehealth and in-home providers serving the broader Twin Cities metro, most new clients are placed within a few business days. If you have urgent scheduling needs, mention that during intake so the team can prioritize availability.

Do you offer online or telehealth therapy in Minnesota?

Yes, secure online telehealth therapy is available throughout Minnesota for clients who prefer remote sessions. Telehealth uses an encrypted, HIPAA-compliant video platform, so you can attend sessions from home, work, or anywhere with a private internet connection. This is a popular option for clients who live in areas like Minneapolis, St. Paul, Plymouth, Minnetonka, Edina, Eden Prairie, or further out toward greater Minnesota, where commuting to the Golden Valley or Chaska office during the workday is not always realistic. Telehealth works well for individual therapy, couples counseling, and many trauma modalities like EMDR. It may not be the right fit for younger children who benefit from in-person play therapy, or for clients in active crisis. Your therapist can help you decide which format will serve you best.

How do you protect my privacy and keep my information confidential?

Your privacy is protected by HIPAA, the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, which sets the standard for safeguarding medical information. Anything you share with your therapist, including session content, intake details, and diagnoses, is kept secure and confidential under those rules. The client portal and telehealth platforms used by the practice are HIPAA-compliant, so your records and video sessions are encrypted and protected. There are a few legal exceptions Minnesota therapists must follow, including imminent risk of harm to themselves or others, suspected child or vulnerable adult abuse, and certain court orders. Outside those situations, your therapist will not share information with anyone, including family members or insurers, without your written consent. Clients at the Golden Valley and Chaska offices can ask their therapist to walk through the full confidentiality policy at the first session.

What credentials and licenses do your therapists have?

All clinicians hold credentials regulated by the Minnesota Boards of Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, or Social Work. The team includes Licensed Psychologists (LP), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT), Licensed Independent Clinical Social Workers (LICSW), Licensed Graduate Social Workers (LGSW), and Master’s-level therapists, along with supervised interns gaining hours toward full licensure. Licensure means each therapist has completed graduate-level training, passed state exams, and meets ongoing continuing education requirements. Many providers across the Golden Valley and Chaska offices also hold specialty certifications in EMDR, Brainspotting, play therapy, and trauma-informed care. When you are matched, the intake team will share your therapist’s specific credentials so you know exactly who you will be working with.

Who founded David Hoy & Associates?

The practice was founded by Dr. David Hoy, PhD, MA, LP, a Licensed Psychologist, certified professional coach, and author of the book “Mental Fitness for Tweens and Teens.” Dr. Hoy serves as President and has practiced in the Twin Cities for decades, with the Golden Valley office anchoring the practice’s roots in the western Minneapolis metro and a second clinic later established in Chaska. His mental fitness framework, which treats therapy as a way to build skills and resilience rather than only “fix” problems, shapes how the team approaches care across both locations. While Dr. Hoy himself does not see every client, the philosophy he has developed informs the training, supervision, and case approach used by clinicians across the practice.

Where are your office locations?

There are two physical offices, plus telehealth and in-home services across Minnesota. The Golden Valley office is at 8401 Wayzata Boulevard, Suite 150, Golden Valley, MN 55426, just off Interstate 394 and Louisiana Avenue, convenient for clients in Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, Plymouth, Minnetonka, Crystal, and New Hope. The Chaska office is at 1107 Hazeltine Boulevard, Suite 121, Chaska, MN 55318, just minutes from Highway 212, serving the southwestern suburbs including Chanhassen, Eden Prairie, Victoria, and Waconia. Both locations offer free parking on site. Phone scheduling is available at 763-544-1006 for Golden Valley and 952-361-3360 for Chaska, or text 763-334-7092 for either office.

Do you serve clients beyond your office locations?

Yes, the practice serves clients across the entire Twin Cities metro and the broader state of Minnesota. The Golden Valley and Chaska offices are anchors, but in-home therapy is available for children and families with more complex needs, and school-based mental health providers work directly inside partner schools throughout the metro. Telehealth covers anywhere in Minnesota with a stable internet connection, including outstate areas where in-person mental health care can be hard to access. This combination means clients in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Edina, Plymouth, Eden Prairie, Wayzata, Hopkins, Maple Grove, and other surrounding communities can access care in whichever format works best, whether that is a weekly office session or a virtual visit from home.

What is the difference between a therapist and a counselor?

In Minnesota, the words “therapist” and “counselor” are often used interchangeably, but they can refer to slightly different licenses. A counselor is typically a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), trained in mental health counseling and able to diagnose and treat conditions like anxiety, depression, and trauma. “Therapist” is a broader umbrella term that can include LPCCs as well as Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT), Licensed Independent Clinical Social Workers (LICSW), and Licensed Psychologists (LP). All of these professionals provide talk therapy, but their training emphasis can differ. In practice, what matters more than the title is the clinician’s specialty and experience with your specific concern. Both the Golden Valley and Chaska teams include all of these credential types so clients can be matched accordingly.

What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?

Psychologists provide therapy and psychological testing, while psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication. In Minnesota, a psychologist (LP) holds a doctoral degree in psychology and is trained in talk therapy, behavioral interventions, and assessments for conditions like ADHD, autism, and learning disorders. A psychiatrist completed medical school plus a psychiatry residency, so they can prescribe and manage medications such as antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and ADHD medications. Many clients across the Twin Cities benefit from seeing both, with the psychologist handling weekly therapy and the psychiatrist managing medication for conditions like bipolar disorder or major depression. The Golden Valley and Chaska offices provide therapy and assessments but do not prescribe medication, so clients needing medication are referred to trusted psychiatric partners in the area.

What is EMDR therapy?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy designed to help your brain reprocess difficult or traumatic memories so they no longer trigger the same intensity of distress. It uses guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation while you briefly recall a target memory, and it tends to produce results faster than traditional talk therapy for single-incident trauma. EMDR is offered at both the Golden Valley and Chaska offices, and through telehealth where appropriate. Local clinicians also use related approaches such as Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and Brainspotting. Many Minneapolis area clients pursue EMDR for PTSD, childhood trauma, anxiety, grief, or persistent symptoms that have not improved with other forms of therapy.

What should I expect at my first therapy session?

The first session is mostly about getting to know each other and shaping a plan. Your therapist will ask about what brought you in, your history, your goals, and any current symptoms or stressors. You will work through a diagnostic assessment (CPT 90791), which helps create a treatment direction tailored to you. There is no pressure to share more than you are comfortable with, and you control how deep the conversation goes. Many clients in Golden Valley and Chaska say the first session feels more like a structured conversation than a clinical evaluation. You will typically leave with a sense of how often you will meet, what approaches your therapist will use, and what to focus on next. You can end services at any point with no obligation beyond sessions already received.

How many therapy sessions does it take to feel better?

Most people start noticing meaningful change between 8 and 20 sessions, though the timeline varies based on the issue and the approach. Short-term, focused work like EMDR for a single trauma or solution-focused therapy for a specific decision can produce results in just a few sessions. Longer-standing concerns like complex trauma, chronic depression, or family conflict typically benefit from several months of weekly work. Across the Golden Valley and Chaska offices, your therapist will check in periodically to review progress and adjust the plan as needed. There is no rule that you have to keep coming forever; many clients move to monthly maintenance sessions or pause therapy entirely once they feel solid. You and your therapist decide together when it is time to scale back.

How do I know if I need therapy?

Therapy can help if you are feeling stuck, overwhelmed, anxious, or struggling to function the way you would like. Common signs include persistent low mood, difficulty sleeping, conflict in relationships, trouble concentrating at work, recurring negative thoughts, or feeling disconnected from people you care about. You do not need to be in crisis to benefit; many clients across the Twin Cities use therapy as a way to build coping skills, work through life transitions, or improve communication with a partner or child. If you are unsure whether therapy is the right step, a free 20-minute phone consultation with the Golden Valley or Chaska intake team can help clarify what kind of support might fit your situation. Therapy is also useful for high-functioning adults who want to invest in long-term mental fitness rather than waiting for problems to escalate.

What is a red flag in choosing a therapist?

A few clear red flags suggest a therapist may not be the right fit. These include making you feel judged, pushing personal opinions or beliefs, breaking confidentiality, being late or canceling frequently without explanation, or steering every session toward their preferred approach regardless of your needs. Other warning signs are unclear billing, refusal to discuss credentials or specialties, and dismissive responses when you raise concerns. In Minnesota, all licensed therapists must follow ethical standards set by the state’s regulatory boards, and you have the right to switch providers at any time. If something feels off in early sessions at the Golden Valley or Chaska office, raise it directly. A skilled therapist welcomes feedback and helps you find a better match if needed.