Frequently Asked Questions

Are you currently accepting new clients?

Yes! Surefoot has openings for new clients depending on schedule availability.

How do I schedule my first session?

Contact Mike at 608-515-2273 (texting or calling okay), send an email to hello@surefoot-therapy.com, or use my online booking system to set up a free 15-minute consultation. This will give us an opportunity to learn more about each other and get you on the schedule for an intake session.

Is therapy in person or online?

Surefoot offers both! While in person sessions are preferred, I understand that Telehealth sessions can make therapy more convenient and removes transportation and schedule barriers.

What are your rates?

Surefoot charges $120-$150 for a 60 min session in-person or Telehealth.

$120 for individuals
$150 for couples

Sliding scale fees are available as needed for clients.

What is your cancellation policy?

24-hour notice is required for all cancellations. A fee equal to the full session rate will be charged for late cancellations and no-shows. To cancel Monday sessions, please notify Surefoot no later than 12:00 PM on the previous Friday.

But what if the weather is bad and I can't make it to my session?

For safety reasons, in-person sessions will default to telehealth if severe weather conditions (e.g., dangerous road conditions, active weather advisories, or widespread closures) make travel unsafe, unless telehealth is not possible or appropriate. If Telehealth is not possible, session/cancellation fee may be waived.

Clients are responsible for communicating as early as possible if weather may affect their ability to attend an appointment. Our priority is safety for clients and clinicians alike, while also maintaining consistency and fairness in scheduling.

What insurance do you take?

I do not currently accept insurance. For more information, please see our page on the advantages of private pay. I am able to provide you a "superbill" so that you can submit directly to your insurance provider for reimbursement.

What's a superbill?

A superbill is an itemized form that details the services provided to a client. It serves as the main data source for creating a healthcare claim, which can be submitted to payers (insurances, funds, programs) for reimbursement. It is a detailed receipt for each visit, listing services provided and includes details like diagnostic and procedural codes, needed for reimbursement.

What is a "No Secrets" policy?

In couple and family therapy, the couple or family as a whole is considered the client. Because of this, I sometimes meet with one member (or a smaller part of the group) for an individual session as part of the larger treatment process.

These individual sessions are generally confidential in the sense that I will not share information outside of therapy without written consent or a legal obligation. However, information shared privately may not always remain confidential within the therapy itself if it affects the wellbeing or progress of the couple or family.

I use my professional judgment to decide whether, when, and how to share important information with the full group. Whenever possible, I’ll encourage and support the individual to bring it forward themselves.

This approach helps me serve the best interests of the relationship system as a whole and prevents conflicts of interest that could interfere with your therapy. If you ever wish to discuss something that must remain entirely private, I can help you find an individual therapist for that work.

Do you offer after hours crisis support?

Surefoot does not offer emergency mental health services. If you are having a mental health crisis, you can:

• call 911 (request the CARES team)

• ​call the Dane County Crisis Line: 608-280-2600

• call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988

• text HOME or HOLA to 741741 to reach a live volunteer Crisis Counselor at the Crisis Text Line

What is co-therapy?

Co-therapy for couples is a collaborative approach with two therapists working together. Surefoot partners with Fortune Family Therapy when appropriate to offer couples added support, including the option for one-on-one breakout sessions to help clarify individual concerns and improve communication. Co-therapy also ensures that each partner is equally supported, reducing feelings of isolation by maintaining a balanced dynamic—there are always two therapists for two participants. Additionally, the presence of a co-therapist provides built-in clinical observation, allowing therapists to gain deeper insights and offer more effective, well-rounded guidance throughout the process.

What does it mean to be a systems-trained or focused therapist?

As a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) I am a systems-trained psychotherapist. We view individual challenges within the broader context of relationships, family dynamics, and social environments. Rather than focusing solely on symptoms, we explore how patterns of interaction contribute to distress and work to shift those patterns for healthier communication and connection. This holistic approach recognizes that lasting change often happens not just within the individual, but within the system they’re a part of—whether that’s a couple, family, school, work, or community.