Health Psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on how biological, social, cultural, environmental, and psychological factors impact health and well-being.

Health Psychologists study how patients handle chronic health conditions, and the most effective ways to control pain and/or change less desirable health habits. Health Psychologists also develop health care strategies that focus on emotional and physical well-being.

Although both Clinical and Health Psychologists look at mental health, the field of clinical psychology primarily focuses on understanding, and treating mental health disorders, whereas health psychology has more of a focus on the relationship between the mind and body in relation to health and illness. All Psychologists can conduct therapy, make diagnoses, and administer psychological assessments.

Pediatric School Psychology is a sub-specialty that includes the competencies of both school and health psychology. Pediatric school psychologists bring the understanding of learning, development, and school systems that is characteristic of school psychologists as well as knowledge of health problems, bio-psycho-social influences, and primary to tertiary prevention and intervention that is characteristic of the health psychologist.

Psychologists in North Carolina are graduates from an American Psychological Association accredited, or an equivalent doctoral Psychology program. Psychologists typically have a master’s degree, and PhD which take between 6 to 9 years to complete. To obtain a NC Psychologist license, a Psychologist must complete 3000 hours of supervised experience, pass national and state exams as well as be approved by the North Carolina Psychology Board.

There are other professionals who can provide psychotherapy, including Psychiatrists, Social Workers, and Psychotherapists.

A Psychiatrist is a medical doctor who focuses on diagnosing and treating mental illness, including substance use disorders. They can also prescribe medication to help clients manage and regulate various symptoms. In North Carolina, Psychiatrists are licensed by the North Carolina Medical Board.

Psychotherapists typically obtain a master’s degree in Counseling or Social Work, which typically takes 2 to 3 years. Then, graduates must complete examinations with the Association of Social Work Board or North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors, in addition to passing a North Carolina jurisprudence exam. They do not diagnose mental health conditions. Psychotherapists are trained to provide psychotherapy and often work in a variety of settings.

While the training of these professionals is different, it is important to remember that mental health clinicians often receive additional training beyond their schooling. A clinician’s ability to support individuals with their goals is not just determined by their academic training, but rather by both their education and their clinical experience combined.

"Fit" is important any time you begin working with a new therapist. If you do not feel comfortable speaking openly with your therapist in the first few sessions, the fit may not be right for you. If, however, you begin to feel uncomfortable after a period of working well with your therapist, it is important to name and address this discomfort directly. Doing so is likely to create opportunities to identify and change patterns in how you manage emotions within relationships.

During the complimentary consultation, the following concerns will be addressed:

The reasons you are seeking therapeutic services and your hopes for treatment, a discussion of fees, screening questions related to certain kinds of past experiences, current symptoms and behaviors, including behaviors that may result in harm to yourself or others to assist us in determining whether Dr. Tomasula is the best match for your identified needs. If you prefer not to speak to a team member by phone, we can send you a password-protected questionnaire to complete.

Psychological services may be covered by out-of-network benefits if available in your health insurance plan. Our clinic will provide a receipt that can be submitted to your insurance company or claimed for tax deduction purposes. We encourage prospective clients to check whether they have out-of-network benefits coverage and to which type of services it may apply. The quickest way to find out this information is to call the general number on the back of your insurance card and ask about out-of-network benefits coverage for your specific insurance plan.

Please email us at info@livewellpsychassociates.com and we will be happy to send you a document that will help you navigate a discussion regarding coverage with your insurance provider.

Under the law, all uninsured and self-pay clients are entitled to receive a Good Faith Estimate that explains how much your medical care will cost. The Good Faith Estimate provision of the No Surprises Act is designed to give clients an estimate of how much they’ll be charged for the healthcare services they’ll be receiving, prior to their appointment.

State-licensed or certified healthcare providers are required to provide a Good Faith Estimate of charges to every new and continuing client who’s either uninsured or isn’t planning to submit a claim to their insurance for the services they’re seeking.

At LiveWell Psychology we will provide you a Good Faith Estimate within 3 business days of your complimentary intake call.

The Good Faith Estimate is not a contract between provider and client and does not obligate or require the client to obtain any of the listed services from the provider.

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 or the dispute process, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call (800) 985-3059.

If you would like a copy of this information sent to you, please email us.

Since alternative bookings are unlikely at short notice, our policy is to charge full fees for missed appointments and cancellations made with less than 24 hours notice.

The office setting is ADA accessible with zero steps. Virtual sessions are also available if preferred. If you require specific accommodations, please notify our administrative assistant so that we may respond to your specific inquiry.

Please ensure that your child is well-rested and has eaten breakfast before each testing session. It is best to tell your child that they are meeting with someone who is similar to a teacher to do some tasks and assist in creating the best plan for them to feel successful each day. With young children, you may wish to tell them that we will be doing some fun activities in which they will be answering some questions, working with blocks and puzzles, and looking at pictures.

LiveWell Psychology welcomes and respects people of ALL backgrounds and beliefs. To get the most out of your therapeutic experience, you are encouraged to share any and all aspects that are important to you and your identity - the things that make you, YOU.