FAQs

Maria is currently full and thus is not accepting new clients. If you'd like to inquire about referrals for other therapists in the area or potentially getting on her waitlist, you can email her at maria@ashacounseling.com.

Maria specializes in the treatment of trauma and eating disorders for males and females ages 18+, with a passion of integrating her clients' faith in Jesus into the therapeutic process. She also has experience working with anxiety, depression, perfectionism, and cross-cultural adjustment.

Maria offers remote services via a telehealth link (through her Electronic Health Record system, Sessions Health) on Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons. She sees clients in-person at her office (7404 Chapel Hill Rd, Suite A, Raleigh, NC 27607) on Monday mornings and Wednesday afternoons. Due to licensing laws in the state of North Carolina, Maria can only see clients who are in the state of North Carolina at the time of the session, even if the session is virtual.

Maria sees clients at the following times, which are subject to change at any time: 

• Mondays from 8:30-11:30am and 12-2pm in-office or via telehealth

• Tuesdays from 8:30-11:30am and 12-2pm via telehealth

• Wednesdays from 12-3pm and 3:30-5:30pm in-office or via telehealth

• Thursdays from 12:30-3:30pm and 4-6pm via telehealth

Each session is scheduled to last 53-60 minutes.

Please note that if an opening becomes available for a new client, Maria may already have a client scheduled during your preferred time and you may need to be flexible within the hours listed above if you would like to be seen.

Maria will reply to emails and voicemails during her business hours. If you contact her outside of her business hours, she will respond to you within 48 hours of her next business day from when you reached out.

Maria accepts Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, United Healthcare, Oscar Health, Oxford, Carelon Behavioral Health, and Quest Behavioral Health through Headway. If you want to check your insurance coverage, click on the link and enter your insurance information for an estimate of benefits.

Please note that if you choose to go through your insurance, they will have access to a diagnostic code that will become part of your record.

Maria's self-pay rate is $120. She will bill your credit card on file automatically at the time of service. If that amount is not doable, you can reach out to her via the "Contact" page to see if a sliding scale option is available.

Maria draws upon attachment-informed Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (ai-EMDR) as her primary therapeutic approach. She seeks to uncover formative experiences by starting with present-day stressors, ultimately repairing and restoring from the point of brokenness as a child that formed the foundation for the distress in the present. In this way, she finds that it gets to the root of the issue rather than pulling a weed from the top. She uses a trauma-informed, psychodynamic approach to consider how past trauma and childhood experiences affect the present.

Maria uses Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) as another way to help clients heal from trauma, especially if they are not interested in ai-EMDR or would benefit from a different approach. She also draws upon principles from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to explore thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

In the treatment of eating disorders and disordered eating, Maria incorporates Intuitive Eating principles and takes a Health at Every Size® approach.

Maria is passionate about integrating a client's faith in Jesus into each therapeutic approach if the client is interested.

Maria obtained her Bachelor's in Social Work in 2015 from Roberts Wesleyan University in Rochester, NY. She graduated in 2016 with her Master's in Social Work from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC. She became fully licensed as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (License # C011656) in the State of North Carolina in 2018.

Maria is an EMDRIA Certified Therapist™ through the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA), being trained under Mark Brayne of EMDR Focus to specifically provide attachment-informed Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (ai-EMDR). 

Maria is also currently in the process of obtaining her Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) certification, and she receives monthly consultation from Amy Wasserbauer, Ph.D., CEDS-S as part of that process.

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. Check out the EMDR International Association's (EMDRIA) video that gives an overview of EMDR. Maria specifically specializes in attachment-informed EMDR, which is a term coined by Mark Brayne of EMDR Focus. You can read more about the specifics of attachment-informed EMDR (ai-EMDR) here. 

Under the guidance of Mark Brayne, Maria has expanded the application of EMDR beyond its origins as a trauma therapy. Trained extensively in this transformative technique, Maria has elevated its use to address a broad spectrum of concerns beyond PTSD, including for anxiety, depression, eating disorders, negative thought patterns, etc.

Maria's preferred approach for most clients involves the application of ai-EMDR. This advanced method delves deeper into the root causes of various presenting issues by focusing on formative experiences. By exploring the foundational moments in childhood that led to the development of negative core beliefs, Maria guides her clients through a process of repairing and rewiring the brain. The goal is to bring these beliefs into alignment with clients' current values, fostering healing and personal growth.

If you're interested in working with Maria, click on the "Contact" page and send her an email!

Effective Date: 01/08/2025

This Notice of Privacy Practices describes how Protected Health Information (PHI) about you may be used and disclosed and how you can access this information. Please review it carefully.

I. Pledge Regarding Health Information

Maria Hogan, MSW, LCSW, is committed to maintaining the privacy of your health information. In the course of providing therapy services, personal health information may be collected, used, and shared. All health information is considered confidential and will be handled according to applicable state and federal laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

You have the right to know how your health information will be used, shared, and protected, and to request copies of your health information. If you have any questions about this notice or wish to discuss your privacy concerns, please contact Maria directly.

II. Uses and Disclosures of Protected Health Information (PHI)

Maria adheres to HIPAA regulations to protect your Protected Health Information (PHI) while ensuring effective care and operational efficiency. 

What Constitutes PHI?

PHI includes any information that identifies you and is created, used, or disclosed during your care, such as:

• Identifiers: Name, date of birth, address, phone number, email

• Session Information: Dates of therapy sessions, treatment plans, clinical assessments

• Billing Records: Insurance details, invoices, payment methods

Below is an outline of how your PHI may be used or disclosed:

Treatment Purposes

Your non-identifying health information may be used to provide treatment services, including coordination with other healthcare providers through referrals, consultations, or shared care. For instance, Maria may consult another therapist or psychiatrist to ensure comprehensive care, but she will not use identifying information unless she has a Release of Information on file for that particular situation.

Payment and Health Care Operations

PHI may be disclosed for processing claims, billing, or other healthcare operations, such as quality improvement and compliance. This includes communication with insurance companies, third-party payers, or HIPAA-compliant billing platforms.

Minimum Necessary Rule

Maria will share only the minimum necessary information for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. This ensures limited disclosure unless additional information is required for specific purposes like collaboration with other providers on your treatment team (e.g., dietitian, primary care physician, psychiatrist), which would necessitate your explicit consent through a Release of Information.

Legal and Safety Purposes

Maria may disclose your PHI under certain legal circumstances, including:

• In response to a court order or subpoena.

• To report abuse, neglect, or domestic violence as required by law.

• To address communicable diseases or comply with public health reporting requirements.

• If there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or others.

Lawsuits and Disputes

If you are involved in legal disputes, your PHI may be disclosed in response to court orders or lawful requests, with efforts to notify you or secure protective measures for the information.

Progress Notes

Maria maintains progress notes in a HIPAA-compliant Electronic Health Record system. These notes require your authorization for disclosure, except in specific situations, such as:

• Use in your treatment.

• Training or supervision purposes.

• Legal defense in proceedings initiated by you.

• Compliance investigations by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Marketing and Sale of PHI

Maria does not use or disclose PHI for marketing purposes and will not sell PHI in the regular course of business.

Appointment Reminders

PHI may be used to contact you for appointment reminders.

Disclosures to Family, Friends, or Others

With your consent or a Release of Information, Maria may share your PHI with individuals involved in your care or payment. In emergencies, necessary disclosures may occur as required by law, with retroactive consent obtained when possible.

By adhering to these guidelines, Maria ensures the appropriate use and protection of your health information while providing high-quality care. 

III. Your Rights Regarding Your Protected Health Information (PHI)

You have the following rights regarding your PHI, and Maria is committed to respecting and upholding these rights:

1. The Right to Request Limits on Uses and Disclosures of Your PHI:
   You have the right to ask Maria not to use or disclose certain PHI for treatment, payment, or health care operations. While Maria is not obligated to agree to your request, she will consider it carefully. If she believes that your request could negatively impact your care, she may deny it, but she will explain her decision to you.

2. The Right to Request Restrictions for Out-of-Pocket Expenses Paid in Full:
   If you have paid for a health care item or service in full out-of-pocket, you have the right to request that Maria restrict the disclosure of your PHI to health plans for payment or health care operations purposes. This restriction only applies to the portion of the services you have paid for entirely out-of-pocket. Maria will honor your request unless the disclosure is required by law.

3. The Right to Choose How PHI is Sent to You:
   You have the right to specify how you would like to be contacted regarding your PHI. For example, you may request that Maria contact you by phone at your home or office number or send mail to a different address. Maria will accommodate all reasonable requests to ensure your preferred method of communication is followed.

4. The Right to Access and Copy Your PHI:
   With the exception of “psychotherapy notes,” you have the right to view or obtain a copy of your medical records and other information that Maria has about you. Upon receiving a written request, Maria will provide you with a copy of your records or a summary of them within 30 days. Maria may charge a reasonable fee for the costs associated with copying or summarizing your records, which will be based on the usual session rate.

5. The Right to Request an Accounting of Disclosures:
   You have the right to request a list of the disclosures Maria has made of your PHI for purposes other than treatment, payment, or healthcare operations (or for which you provided authorization). Maria will respond to your request within 60 days. The list will include disclosures made in the past six years, unless you request a shorter timeframe. If you make multiple requests within a calendar year, Maria may charge a reasonable, pro rata fee for each additional request.

6. The Right to Correct or Update Your PHI:
   If you believe that your PHI is incorrect or incomplete, you have the right to request that Maria correct or update it. Maria will review your request and either make the correction or provide a written explanation if she declines your request. You will be informed of her decision within 60 days of receiving your request.

7. The Right to Obtain a Paper or Electronic Copy of This Notice:
   You have the right to receive a paper copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices at any time, regardless of whether you have previously agreed to receive it electronically. If you prefer, you can also receive a copy of this notice by e-mail. If you choose to receive this notice electronically, you can still request a paper copy at any time.

IV. How Your Information is Protected

Maria takes reasonable steps to safeguard your health information by implementing both administrative, physical, and technical safeguards, including:

• Using secure electronic health records systems that meet HIPAA standards.

• Storing paper records (if applicable) in a locked, secure location.

• Ensuring that any third-party service providers adhere to HIPAA-compliant practices when handling your information.

While these safeguards are in place, please note that no system is completely secure, and the practice cannot guarantee absolute confidentiality of information transmitted electronically.

V. Complaints and Concerns

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you have the right to file a complaint. You may file a complaint directly with Maria, or you may contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at 1-800-368-1019 or by visiting the OCR website at https://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/index.html.

There will be no retaliation for filing a complaint. Maria is committed to ensuring your rights are respected and that all information is handled with the utmost confidentiality.

VI. Amendments to this Notice

Maria may amend this Notice of Privacy Practices from time to time to reflect changes in privacy practices or legal requirements. Any changes will be reflected in the updated Notice, which will be available to you upon request. You will be notified of any significant changes that may affect how your health information is used or disclosed.

Acknowledgement of Receipt of Privacy Notice

Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), you have certain rights regarding the use and disclosure of your protected health information. By agreeing to this form, you are acknowledging that you have received a copy of this HIPAA-Compliant Notice of Privacy Practices.

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical 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 bill for medical items and services. 

• You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees. 

• Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or 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 or call 1-800-985-3059.