

Integrative Therapies by Josephine

Insurance, Refunds & Other FAQs...
Are Integrative Therapies by Josephine Services covered by my insurance?
An increasing number of health insurance plans are beginning to cover mental wellness services that may be considered forms of behavioral healthcare techniques - such as mindfulness and meditation, but sometimes with limitations and exclusions. Make sure to reach out to your workplace's Human Resources department, or your insurer, to find out exactly what is included in your plan and if there are any restrictions (such as services that must be performed by a licensed medical doctor, psychologist, or psychiatrist). Otherwise, we are considered a private pay service provider, and do not work directly with insurance companies.
Is there any way to receive financial assistance or coverage for Therapies by Josephine's services?
Glad you asked!
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Those with an HSA or FSA account can speak with their insurance provider and workplace human resources department to determine if they may receive coverage. They will either:
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1) Pre-authorize the purchase so that you can use your HSA/FSA card to pay for sessions on-site, or
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2) You will have to pay out-of-pocket and submit a receipt to be reimbursed later.
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You may be required to have a letter of medical necessity (see definition below) from your primary care physician, indicating that mindfulness sessions are important to your mental health. We recommend speaking with your physician and employer two to three weeks before you’d like to attend a session through IT&C, to allow enough time for verification and pre-authorization.
What are HSA and FSA accounts?
Health savings accounts (HSA) and flexible spending accounts (FSA) are offered by employers to decrease an employee’s income tax liability, and also allow you to pay for certain eligible medical type expenses. HSA funds expire every year, while FSA funds continue to add on with each year of employment.
What is a letter of medical necessity?
The letter of medical necessity is a statement from your primary care physician (see example here) stating that a certain service or program is important to a person’s health. It usually includes a CPT/ICD diagnosis code and must be signed by a medical doctor (MD). HSA and FSA accounts can be used to cover meditation/mindfulness classes with this letter.
What services qualify for HSA/FSA coverage?
HSA/FSA funds can cover a variety of services from sunscreen to acupuncture to first-aid kits! Each employer is different, and what is/isn’t covered can vary by insurance provider and company. Connect Your Care and the FSA Store have lists of products and services that are eligible for most HSA/FSA accounts. When in doubt, ask your employer!
Are there any other ways to receive credits/benefits for Therapies by Josephine's services?
If you have a wellness program through your employer, you can work with your HR department to allow for Therapies by Josephine sessions to count as reward points for participating in wellness activities. These points can count toward employee incentives, such as lowering health insurance costs. Some company’s health insurance plans and wellness programs even provide a bank of funds to use specifically for meditation and mindfulness services similar to what is offered here.
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For those that capable and inspired to do so, you may purchase gift certificates for others! Contact us to make those arrangements.
Is there a way I may get a discount for regular use of the services provided?
Absolutely!
If you are currently receiving income through SSI/SSD, or receive state food assistance and can verify it with a photocopy of your current card(s), we are happy to provide a sliding scale rate. There are limited amounts of sliding scale discounts that we are able to offer each year since we are a small business, so it is on a first-come, first-serve basis. We are happy to let you know when that has been filled for a period of time, and when openings arise. *We have openings available in 2025. Please contact us for the sliding scale rate determination and openings.
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We are happy to provide a 10% discount to individuals 65+, veterans, and individuals on permanent disability.
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It will be up to each person to bring to our attention if you qualify for any of the above discounts and be prepared to provide the necessary documentation (i.e. driver's license, birth certificate, SSI or SSD card, Medicaid card, or Food Asst. card.)
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Please note that there is much provided without charge, simply by subscribing to our website. Discounts are most often provided at locations that we are periodically collaborating with as nonprofits. Please view event schedules.
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*Discounts and coupons may not be used in combination with other discounts. Thank you!
I believe in supporting small and growing independent businesses and practitioners. Do you accept gifts, tips, donations, or love offerings?
Yes, absolutely!
We greatly appreciate the support of our local community and those who discover us from outside our local area!
There are many ways to support us and other small or developing businesses and practitioners. Give us your positive reviews and testimonies. Share our offers, promotions, news, and events with others. Bring a friend when you attend a group event or class. Interact on social media posts so the algorithms will acknowledge us.
Other ways could be to volunteer with some of the technical tasks that help events or businesses run smoothly, such as assisting with equipment, photography, hosting an event at your location, printing marketing, or handout materials, and donating supplies or equipment, as needed, acting as a moderator to ensure participation and regulations for online groups, just to name a few ideas.
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We humbly, and graciously accept your monetary gifts in the form of love offerings, tips, and donations, too. You're welcome to provide that, here.
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Thank you!
What is the Cancellation and Refund Policy?
​Cancellation of an appointment must be within 48 hours before a scheduled session. If a session is canceled on short notice, there will be a $25 fee retained from the payments made. If a payment is not received and an appointment is canceled in less than 24 hours, you will be charged the required $25 cancellation fee.
Payments are collected 48 hours before your session with the exception of the prepaid plans, which is the minimum timeframe required for scheduling. Please note, there are no refunds issued. However, in the case that a session needs to be rescheduled within the allotted time, we are happy to accommodate you to the best of our ability.
What is the difference between a traditional licensed therapist and the spiritual and shamanic counseling provided through Therapies by Josephine?
Josephine Sheppard is an ordained minister through the Universal Life Church. The Universal Life Church (ULC) headquarters are located at 601 Third St., Modesto, CA 95351-3395. The ULC also has a monastery in Seattle, Washington. Fully legally recognized in Michigan, Universal Life Church Ministries has the legal standing to issue valid religious ordinations. ULC is a California nonprofit corporation. ULC's doctrine is religious freedom, which is expressed as "Do only that which is right". Her practice falls under pastoral counseling as a part of her spiritual practices and beliefs supported through her ministerial association and clergy status through ULC.
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Michigan law states that ordained clergy members who provide pastoral counseling as part of their religious duties are not required to be licensed counselors. Pastoral counseling is a type of therapy that integrates a person's spiritual beliefs and faith with psychological counseling methods, allowing individuals to address mental health concerns while considering the role of spirituality in their lives. While often associated with religious clergy, pastoral counselors can be individuals from various faith backgrounds with appropriate training in both psychology and theology. To learn more about Josephine's background, training, and experience, click here.
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Pastoral counseling, spiritual counseling, and shamanic counseling are all similar in that they aim to address a person's spiritual well-being by exploring their inner life, seeking meaning and purpose, and facilitating healing through practices that connect them to a higher power or deeper sense of self, often utilizing techniques like meditation, reflection, and rituals, though each approach draws from different belief systems and practices depending on their specific tradition. Key similarities are a holistic approach, helping individuals exploring meaning behind experiences, connection to a higher power, and a focus on personal transformation.
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"An ordained member of the clergy if counseling is incidental to his or her religious duties performed under the auspices or recognition of a church, denomination, religious association, or sect, and does not hold himself or herself out as a counselor licensed under this article.
Notwithstanding section 18105(3), this part does not prohibit the use of the word "counselor" without the qualifying words "licensed" or "professional" used in conjunction with the word "counselor", except as otherwise provided by law." - Excerpt from 333.18115 Practice of statutorily regulated profession or occupation not limited; definition; applicability of part; use of word "counselor." Sec. 18115. Michigan Legislature
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The services provided by Josephine (Therapies by Josephine), be it shamanic practices or spiritual counsel, holistic or somatic approach to healing, are the evaluation and consented manipulation (balancing, healing, attuning) of the human energy field, using the client's or practitioner's energy field to effect a change in the client’s energy field and thereby, the overall mental, emotional, physical, or spiritual health.