Frequently Asked Questions

A: Getting started is simple. You can Schedule a Free Consultation here to briefly discuss what’s going on and ensure we’re a good fit. If it feels right, we can set up your first full session immediately.

A: This is a low-pressure, 15-minute secure video call. We’ll talk about your goals, my approach, and logistical details like scheduling. It’s a chance for you to see if you feel comfortable working with me.

A: Think of the first session as a "deep dive." We’ll explore your history, current challenges, and specifically what you want your life to look like after therapy. We’ll leave with a clear starting point.

A: Yes. Clinical research consistently shows that online therapy is just as effective as in-person sessions for treating anxiety, ADHD, and life transitions. Many of my Oklahoma clients prefer it because it removes the stress of a commute and allows them to meet from their own comfortable environment.

A: For licensing and safety reasons, you must be physically located within the state of Oklahoma during our sessions. However, you can join from any private space—your home, office, or even a parked car.

A: Absolutely. I use a HIPAA-compliant, encrypted video platform designed specifically for healthcare to ensure your privacy and confidentiality are protected.

A: ADHD therapy for adults is about more than just "focus." We work on executive functioning, emotional regulation, and building external systems that support your unique brain, rather than trying to force it to work like everyone else's.

A: Yes. Many of my clients are successful professionals or parents who appear to have it "all together" but struggle with chronic overthinking or internal burnout. Therapy provides a space to address that internal pressure and find sustainable balance.

A: Most clients find the most momentum with weekly sessions, especially in the beginning. As you build tools and feel more stable, we may move to bi-weekly sessions.

A: There is no "one-size-fits-all" answer. Some clients achieve their specific goals in 3–6 months, while others value the ongoing support and clarity that long-term therapy provides. We will regularly check in on your progress to ensure it still feels valuable to you.

A: For self-pay, I charge $100 per 55-minute individual session, and $120 for the initial intake appointment, which is typically 60+ minutes long, and includes the time I take to create a treatment plan, arrive at a diagnosis, and complete any extra assessments necessary for you to get better sooner!

A: I can accept HealthChoice, Health Care Highways, Optum Behavioral Health, and UnitedHealthcare Behavioral Health insurance. I am in the process of getting credentialed with Blue Cross Blue Shield. If you have BCBS, continue to contact me to possibly arrange accommodations.

A: Every insurance plan is different in what it covers, so I recommend reaching out to your insurance company to better understand what is covered on your plan. It is the responsibility of the client to know their insurance policy benefits.

Here are some questions I find helpful to ask your insurance provider to better understand your plan when starting therapy.

• Does my health insurance plan include mental health benefits?

• Does it cover telehealth for counseling? If so, does it require a specific platform?

• Do I have to meet my deductible before sessions are covered? If so, what is it, and how much have I met?

• What is my copay or co-insurance per session?

• Does my plan have a limit on how many sessions per calendar year I can have? If so, what is the limit?

• Do I need written approval from my primary care physician in order for services to be covered?

• Is Dustin Pirtle an approved in-network provider on this plan?

• Can I please have a reference number for this call?

A: You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost.

Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services.

You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services.

You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service.

If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.

A: According to the NASW Code of Ethics, Social workers should not engage in solicitation of testimonial endorsements (including solicitation of consent to use a client’s prior statement as a testimonial endorsement) from current clients or from other people who, because of their particular circumstances, are vulnerable to undue influence.

NASW Code of Ethics, 2017, 4.07.b

What this means is: there's a power differential in the therapeutic relationship. I would never want to use my influence over clients to solicit reviews from them and dilute or damage our relationship.

A: Because I work on a strictly outpatient basis, it is always my recommendation to call a local or national crisis line for assistance if you are in crisis. They can provide you with immediate help and assistance, which I may be unable to provide in the moment. The number for the National Mental Health and Suicide Crisis line is 988. You can call it anytime, day or night, 365 days per year, and someone will answer. If you are in immediate danger of harming yourself or someone else, please go to your nearest emergency room and ask for a crisis mental health evaluation. All ERs can make that happen.

A: Confidentiality and being able to trust your provider to keep your business to themselves is vital to the foundation of the therapeutic relationship. As such, all communication between us regarding your treatment is confidential and protected by law. If I see you in person, I will not approach you to maintain your privacy. If you text me, I will respond, but only if it is about scheduling a session. All other communication must be done by phone call or secure client portal messaging. We can email for scheduling appointments if necessary, but email is not a completely secure form of communication either.

The only circumstances in which your right to confidentiality is waived are if you are having significant thoughts of harming yourself or other people. Even in those situations, I still will work with you to maintain as much privacy as I can, while prioritizing your safety and the safety of the community at large.