Frequently asked questions

The easiest first step is a short phone call. You can schedule a phone call, call us, or send a message through our contact form. On the call we’ll talk about what you’re looking for, answer your questions, and see whether Healing Harbor is a good fit. If it is, we’ll walk you through scheduling your first session and completing intake paperwork.

It’s a relaxed conversation, not an assessment. You can share as much or as little as you like about what brings you to therapy. We’ll talk about scheduling, in-person or telehealth sessions, and cost, and you can ask anything you’re wondering about. There is no pressure to commit to anything on the call.

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Your first session is mostly about getting to know each other. We’ll go over paperwork, confidentiality, and how therapy works, then talk about what brought you in, what you’ve already tried, and what you hope will be different. You don’t need to have the right words or a clear goal. Many people feel a little nervous before the first session, and that’s completely normal. We’ll go at your pace.

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Yes. Healing Harbor offers in-person sessions at our office in Duluth and secure telehealth (video) sessions for people anywhere in Minnesota. Because of licensing rules, you need to be physically located in Minnesota during a telehealth session. Many people use a mix of both.

Healing Harbor works with people navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship challenges, and addiction. That includes people who want more than symptom relief: healing from the past, healthier coping, better relationships, and a greater sense of peace and purpose.

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Therapy is individualized, so the approach depends on you. Healing Harbor draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), DBT-informed skills, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), and nature-based interventions. You can read more on our About & Our Approach page.

You never have to be religious to work with Healing Harbor, and faith will never be brought into your sessions unless you ask for it. For clients who want it, personal values or faith can be integrated into therapy in a way that feels respectful and meaningful to them. It is always your choice.

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It depends on what you’re working on and what you want from therapy. Some people come for a few months to work on a specific concern. Others stay longer for deeper healing or ongoing support. We’ll check in regularly about how things are going, and you’re always free to adjust, pause, or stop.

Please see our Insurance & Fees page for current insurance information, self-pay rates, and payment options. If you’re unsure what your plan covers, call the member services number on your insurance card and ask about outpatient mental health benefits. We’re also happy to talk it through on your phone call.

If you don’t have insurance or choose not to use it, federal law gives you the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate of what your care is expected to cost. You can read the full notice on our Good Faith Estimate page.

Yes, with a few important exceptions required by law. What you share in therapy is kept private and is protected by HIPAA and Minnesota law. Exceptions include situations where there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or someone else, suspected abuse or neglect of a child or vulnerable adult, or a court order. We’ll review these limits with you at your first session, and you can read more in our Notice of Privacy Practices.

Please don’t include personal health information, such as symptoms, diagnoses, or medical history, in the contact form or in regular email. Those are not secure, encrypted channels. A name, the best way to reach you, and a general note like “I’m interested in therapy for myself” is plenty. We’ll talk through the rest privately.

If you are in crisis, call or text 988 or call 911. You can also chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org. Healing Harbor is not a crisis service and cannot respond to emergencies, and messages may not be seen right away.