What are the fees for counseling at Lucere Counseling?

Individual sessions (60 minutes) are $160. Family sessions (90 minutes) are $200. Small group counseling fees are determined by group size. Aetna, United Healthcare, and Optum insurance are accepted through Alma. Superbills are also available for out-of-network reimbursement.

Does Lucere Counseling accept insurance?

Yes. Lucere Counseling accepts Aetna, United Healthcare, and Optum insurance through Alma. If your insurance is out-of-network, a Superbill can be provided for you to submit for possible reimbursement.

What is a Good Faith Estimate for therapy?

In Florida, clients have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate explaining expected health care costs before services are scheduled. If you are uninsured or paying out-of-pocket, your provider must give you this estimate in advance. You can dispute any bill that exceeds the estimate by $400 or more. For more information, visit cms.gov/nosurprises or call 1-800-985-3059.

What are Lucere Counseling's available appointment hours?

Current hours are: Monday 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Tuesday 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Wednesday 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM, and Thursday 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM. Hours may be adjusted for holidays. Contact via the client portal or email for specific availability.

What should I expect if I'm new to therapy?

Starting therapy at Lucere Counseling begins with a free 15-minute consultation call. If it feels like a good fit, the first one or two sessions focus on getting to know each other and setting personalized goals. Sessions are casual, conversational, and skill-based. It can feel a little awkward at first — that is completely normal and expected.

How do I know if I need depression therapy?

If you have been feeling persistently sad, hopeless, or disconnected from the things you used to enjoy, therapy can help. Other signs include changes in sleep or appetite, difficulty concentrating, low energy, or withdrawing from friends and activities. You do not need to wait until things feel unbearable to reach out.

What does depression therapy actually involve?

Depression therapy is a collaborative process where we work together to understand what you are experiencing and develop personalized strategies to help you feel better. Sessions may include exploring your thoughts and feelings, identifying patterns that keep you stuck, and building skills to manage difficult emotions. The approach is tailored to fit your unique needs and pace.

How long does depression therapy take to work?

Everyone's journey is different. Some people notice shifts in how they feel within a few weeks, while others benefit from longer term support. The timeline depends on the severity of symptoms, personal goals, and how consistently we meet. Progress is checked in on regularly to make sure the work together is helping.

Can depression therapy help even if I have felt this way for years?

Yes. Depression that has lingered for a long time can absolutely improve with the right support. Long-standing depression often requires patience and a personalized approach, but change is possible. Many people who have felt stuck for years find relief and reconnection through therapy.

What therapeutic approaches do you use for depression?

Several evidence-based approaches are used including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy. There is no one-size-fits-all method — the approach is adapted based on what resonates and what helps you make progress.

Will I have homework between depression therapy sessions?

Skill-based practices are often suggested between sessions because healing happens in daily life, not just in the therapy hour. These are not worksheets or busy work. Instead, they are personalized exercises designed to help you apply what is discussed. If homework does not feel helpful, the approach can be adjusted.

What if I do not know why I am depressed?

That is completely normal and more common than you might think. Depression does not always have an obvious cause, and you do not need to have everything figured out before starting therapy. Part of the work together is gently exploring what might be contributing to how you feel.

Is depression therapy different for young adults?

Young adulthood comes with unique pressures like navigating school, career decisions, relationships, and figuring out who you are apart from your family or upbringing. Lucere Counseling specializes in working with young women during this stage of life and understands the specific challenges they face.

What happens in the first few depression therapy sessions?

We start with a free 15-minute consultation call to make sure it feels like a good fit. In the first couple of sessions, we get to know each other and explore what brought you to therapy. From there, goals are set together so the work is focused on what matters most to you.

Can I do depression therapy online?

Yes. Both online and in-person sessions are available for clients in the Lake Mary, Florida area. Many people find that online therapy fits more easily into their schedules while still providing the same quality of care and connection as meeting in person.

Always feeling stress? — Amanda Bumgarner M.Ed., LMHC, NCC

Feeling low, lost, or isolated?

Feeling a low vibration of stress on a daily basis? 2026 is a stressful place to live! Feeling that stress on a daily basis can be really isolating and exhausting. Everyday pressures, world-changing events, and the effects of the pandemic is a lot (honestly, its too much). Stress with family, school, and/or work can all pile up and leave you feeling disconnected from yourself. During long-term stress we develop unhealthy thoughts or beliefs that can be difficult to shake. You don't have to carry it alone.

BOOK A FREE 15-MIN CONSULTATION

Person sitting with hands covering their face in a moment of emotional overwhelm, illustrating distress and the potential for support and healing through depression therapy at Lucere Counseling in Lake Mary, FL.

In counseling we can work on:

feelings of sadness
bouts of crying
disruptions in sleep
difficulty concentrating
disinterest
self-isolation
changes in weight or eating habits

I want you to enjoy your life. There will always be challenges but, I would like to work on ways for you to manage and cope with these challenges so that they don’t continually drag you down. We will work together to find the good, look for hope, and find healthy coping skills that work for you.

Email amanda@lucerecounseling.com to schedule a free 15 minute initial phone consultation.

Located in: Lake Mary, FL

BOOK A FREE 15-MIN CONSULTATION