Question 1

Do you offer a free consultation?

Accepted Answer

Yes! If you're wondering whether we might be a good fit to work together, you can grab a spot on my calendar to set up a free phone call, or send a message to compare calendars over email. I set aside about 20 minutes for these calls. We'll start with logistics to make sure our schedules align, then you'll share what you're hoping therapy can help with, and I'll talk through what it might look like to work on those concerns together. At the end of the call, if it feels like a good fit, you can schedule a session. If you're unsure, you're welcome to take time to think about it — no pressure.

Question 2

How much does therapy cost?

Accepted Answer

I offer a fee range rather than a single session rate, to help make therapy more accessible while keeping my practice sustainable. Individual therapy: $120–$155 per session (standard rate $145). Relationship therapy: $135–$175 per session (standard rate $160). I invite clients to choose a rate within the range that feels realistic for their current financial circumstances. Limited lower-fee spots are available. For clients with significant financial need, I also offer a small number of sliding scale spots through Open Path.

Question 3

How do I schedule a session?

Accepted Answer

Most of my clients scheduled their first session after booking a free consult call. It's not required, but it gives you a chance to get a feel for what it's like to talk with me and ask any initial questions. If you decide you'd like to skip the consult call and book a session directly, you're welcome to send me a message and we can get started over email.

Question 4

Do I have to live in Austin to work with you?

Accepted Answer

No! I am licensed in the entire state of Texas, so if that's where you are, I can work with you. I see in-person clients in Austin, Texas, and offer online therapy (telehealth) for clients located anywhere in Texas.

Question 5

Do you offer in-person or online therapy sessions?

Accepted Answer

I offer both. In-person sessions take place at my office in Austin, Texas. I also offer online therapy (telehealth) for clients located anywhere in Texas. I offer both individual and relationship therapy in these formats.

Question 6

What can I expect in a therapy session?

Accepted Answer

You can expect to set aside 50ish minutes for each session. Your first session, called an intake session, is focused on getting a general understanding of your story. I may ask about things like your relationships, work, medical and substance use history, and other background information. As we continue working together, we'll follow whatever threads feel most important or helpful to you. The pace is up to you. Some sessions will feel heavier than others. I aim to help you feel grounded enough to return to your day, even after a tough session.

Question 7

How often do I need to come? How long does therapy usually last?

Accepted Answer

For new clients, I typically recommend starting with weekly or biweekly sessions. Meeting more frequently early on helps me get a clearer picture of what's going on. As things shift, the frequency can too. Some clients move to monthly sessions once they've made progress on what brought them in. As for how long — the length of therapy depends on what you're working toward, and that's something we figure out together over time. I tend to do deep, relational work, and that kind of work usually isn't quick. It also tends to be the kind that lasts.

Question 8

How do I know if therapy with you is a good fit?

Accepted Answer

One of the biggest indicators of whether we're a good fit is simply whether it feels like a good fit. Research consistently shows that the quality of the relationship between a client and therapist is one of the strongest predictors of meaningful change. Many people use the free consultation to get a sense of what it's like to talk with me and to ask questions. You might notice whether you feel comfortable, understood, or able to be yourself. If you're unsure, it's completely okay to take your time.

Question 9

What if I've tried therapy before and it didn't work?

Accepted Answer

It's more common than you might think, and it doesn't mean therapy can't work for you. Sometimes the fit wasn't right. Sometimes the timing was off. Sometimes something happened in the therapeutic relationship that left you feeling unseen or misunderstood. Whatever the experience was, I'll believe what you've been through — you don't have to convince me or package it a certain way before we can get started. What I can offer is a commitment to paying attention — to what's working, what isn't, and what you need in order to feel like this process is worth your time.

Question 10

What does it mean that you're trauma-informed?

Accepted Answer

Supporting clients as they heal from trauma is an area of specialty for me. I work with many different forms of trauma including complex trauma and CPTSD, childhood and developmental trauma, PTSD from acutely traumatic incidents, and religious trauma. Being trauma-informed means that I take your past into account when I try to understand your life as it is now. It also means I know the importance of moving slowly and working at a pace that helps you feel safe enough to explore what you've been through.

Question 11

How do you work with complex trauma and PTSD?

Accepted Answer

I use a somatic, experiential approach to working with trauma, and I also often incorporate parts work. Somatic means we're paying attention to what happens in your body, rather than just your thoughts. Experiential means some of the work is actively happening while we're in the room together. Parts work (similar to Internal Family Systems, or IFS) involves connecting with different parts of yourself — especially the ones that are hurting or carrying something difficult — with curiosity and care. Somatic and experiential approaches help us work with trauma gently and in a controlled environment while your nervous system begins to recognize safety again.

Question 12

Why don't you take insurance?

Accepted Answer

One reason is that many insurance companies won't work with licensed associates, which is the kind of license I currently have. Another reason has to do with how therapy is structured when billed through insurance. Insurance companies typically require a medical model of care, which focuses on diagnosing and treating specific symptoms. Working outside of insurance allows me more flexibility to approach therapy in a way that's tailored to you, rather than fitting your experience into a specific diagnosis or treatment plan. If cost is a concern, I'm always happy to talk it through.

Question 13

Is therapy confidential?

Accepted Answer

The short answer is yes, what we talk about in therapy stays between us. But confidentiality is not absolute. I am legally mandated to break confidentiality if I'm worried that your life or someone else's life is in danger due to suicide or homicide; if I believe someone from a protected population is being harmed or neglected, such as a child, elderly person, or someone who is disabled; or if I receive a court order from a judge. I do the best I can to involve my clients in the decision to break confidentiality if the situation allows.

Question 14

What does your license mean?

Accepted Answer

I hold two licenses in the state of Texas: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC Associate). My LMFT training focused on working with relationships — including couples, families, and the ways our relationships shape how we experience ourselves and the world. The associate designation on my LPC license means that I practice under the supervision of a fully licensed clinician, Michelle Silva Segura, LMFT-S, LPC-S, SEP, as I continue working toward independent licensure. All licensed associates have completed graduate-level training and are qualified to provide therapy.

Question 15

Do you work with people who aren't sure they need therapy?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Not knowing whether therapy is right for you is actually a pretty common place to start. If something feels off but you can't quite put your finger on what it is, or you're not sure your problems are bad enough to bring to therapy, those are reasons to reach out — not reasons to wait. You don't have to have it figured out before we talk.

Question 16

What is a Good Faith Estimate?

Accepted Answer

You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate which explains in writing how much your medical care will cost if you are not using insurance. If you schedule a session at least 3 business days away, you are entitled to receive a Good Faith Estimate within 1 business day. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. For more information, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 1-800-985-3059.

Question 17

How do I request my health records?

Accepted Answer

If you are a current or past client, you are welcome to request your health records by reaching out using my online contact form or by emailing me at hello@trinabolfing.com. I am required to keep records for at least seven years after we've terminated services, or five years after a client who was a minor has reached the age of majority. From the date of your request, I have 15 business days to comply.

Question 18

How do I contact your licensing board?

Accepted Answer

I am licensed through the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Counsel (BHEC). Texas LMFT License #204903. Texas LPC Associate License #91900. You may reach out to BHEC using their contact page at bhec.texas.gov.

Question 19

How do I file a consumer complaint?

Accepted Answer

If you would like to file a consumer complaint, you can do so on the website for the Office of Attorney General's Consumer Protection webpage at texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection.

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