Frequently Asked Questions

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If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911. If you need urgent help, use your local crisis line or 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Do not use online forms or portals for emergencies.

Suncrest Psychological Services is a clinical practice that provides professional mental health services, with a specialty focus on first responders. Services may include individual and couples therapy, trauma-focused treatments, sleep treatment, training, and agency services.

You can expect a brief first contact to understand your needs and help match you to the right level of care. Some concerns improve in a short course of care, while others may take longer. Your clinician will set goals with you and adjust as you go.

Yes. Suncrest Psychological Services works with agencies through contracts and wellness programming. If your agency has coverage, we can help you understand how to use it. If you are not sure, contact us and we will help you check.

A: Yes. Suncrest Psychological Services works with several insurance plans and can file claims directly for in-network coverage. Copays and/or coinsurance are due at the time of service.

If we are not in-network with your plan, we can either help you with referrals or provide a superbill/statement you can submit to your insurance for possible out-of-network reimbursement (based on your benefits).

Please call our office so we can confirm your coverage and walk you through your options.dd an answer to this item.

Yes. Confidentiality is a top priority at Suncrest Psychological Services. Your information is protected and is not shared without your written permission.

There are limited legal exceptions, including:

• If there is an imminent risk of harm to yourself or others

• Suspected abuse or neglect of a child

• Suspected abuse or neglect of a dependent or vulnerable adult

• A valid court order requiring records

If you ever have questions about confidentiality, we will explain it clearly so you know what to expect.Add an answer to this item.

Many concerns improve with evidence-based therapy and behavioral strategies alone. Sometimes, medication can be an important part of treatment—especially when symptoms are severe, persistent, or significantly impacting sleep, mood, or safety.

If medication might help, Dr. Dardeen will discuss options with you. In many cases, your primary care provider can prescribe appropriate medications. If your needs are more complex, we can provide referrals to a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner for specialized medication management. answer to this item.

Treatment options can include evidence-based approaches used for trauma recovery, such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and EMDR. Your clinician will recommend an approach based on your symptoms, work role, and goals.Add an answer to this item.

Yes. Suncrest Psychological Services provides Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) and other behavioral sleep interventions. Many people see meaningful improvement in a structured, time-limited course of care.

Yes. Suncrest Psychological Services offers pre-employment psychological evaluations for police and fire agencies. We can schedule and complete reports on a timeline that fits hiring needs when possible.

No: Suncrest Psychological Services does not offer Fitness for Duty evaluations. If you need this service, we can help point your agency to appropriate local options.

A psychologist is a doctoral-level mental health professional trained to assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of behavioral and mental health concerns. Psychologists typically hold a PhD or PsyD and complete extensive graduate training, supervised clinical work, and ongoing continuing education.

Psychologists use evidence-based approaches like therapy, behavioral interventions, and psychological testing when appropriate.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD or DO) who specializes in mental health. Psychiatrists are trained to diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe medication.

Some psychiatrists also provide therapy, but many focus primarily on medication management and medical oversight of symptoms.

A therapist or counselor is a licensed mental health professional with graduate-level training (commonly a master’s degree) who provides counseling and psychotherapy.

This can include professionals such as Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT). They support people with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, relationships, and life transitions using evidence-based therapy approaches.

A psychiatric nurse practitioner (PMHNP) is an advanced practice nurse with specialized training in mental health assessment and treatment. PMHNPs can diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe psychiatric medication (within their scope and state regulations).

Many also provide supportive therapy, education, and ongoing medication follow-up.

Therapy helps people reduce symptoms, strengthen coping skills, and improve day-to-day functioning. It can support you in processing stress and trauma, building healthier patterns, improving relationships, and feeling more grounded and confident.

At Suncrest Psychological Services, our goal is to help you use your strengths and learn practical tools that fit real life, including the demands of public safety and high-stress work. Therapy can be short-term and goal-focused, or longer-term depending on your needs.

Clinical Services

Initial Intake Session (90791) — $185

· Establishes the treatment relationship and gathers needed history

· May include assessment to develop a treatment plan and goals

· Typical length: 60–90 minutes (based on clinical complexity)

Therapy Session (90837) — $160

· Ongoing sessions after the intake

· Typical length: 45–60 minutes

· Standard is 60 minutes, but shorter sessions may be clinically appropriate (example: sleep adjustment work or when a client cannot tolerate a full session)

Training & Education

Training / Instructional Services — $85 per hour

Pre-Employment Psychological Evaluations (Police & Fire)

$600 per candidate (approx. 2–3 hours)

· Completed in compliance with PERF

· Scheduling: typically 5–10 days’ notice

· Results: typically available 1–2 business days after the testing date

Confidentiality & EAP Details

· All services are confidential and handled according to HIPAA and applicable mental health laws and regulations.

· EAP benefits typically include a set number of approved visits per year (often 6–12). If additional visits are needed, clients may use personal health insurance. Payment plans and financial assistance may be available.

· To protect privacy, EAP employees are assigned a unique code for treatment approval.

· Participating agencies provide updated eligibility/verification lists to confirm covered employees.

Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) — Rates

After-Hours Response (Weekdays 5:00 PM–8:00 AM, plus all day Saturday & Sunday)

· Initial Call-Out Fee: $300

· Hourly Rate: $160/hour for the first 3 hours

· Hourly Rate: $100/hour after the first 3 hours

· Timing: ideally initiated within 24–72 hours of the incident

· Format: may include group and/or individual support

During Office Hours Response (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM)

· Initial Call-Out Fee: $160

· Hourly Rate: $160/hour for the first 3 hours

· Hourly Rate: $100/hour after the first 3 hours