FAQs

What states do you practice in?

I am licensed (LPC-IT) to practice in the state of Wisconsin. I see patients residing in Wisconsin virtually or in person at 731 N. Jackson Street in Milwaukee, WI.

How much does a therapy session cost?

A standard 55-minute individual therapy session at Better Days Counseling LLC costs $125. The initial intake session is $150.

A limited number of sliding scale reduced fee sessions are available via Open Path for those who qualify - https://openpathcollective.org/therapist/john-stampen/

Do you accept insurance in Wisconsin?

I am out-of-network. Many of my clients with PPO insurance plans are reimbursed 60-90 percent of the session fee after meeting their OON deductible. I'll provide monthly superbills for self submission.

What should I expect during my first session?

Your first session is a structured conversation to understand what's bringing you in and where you want to go. Here's what it typically includes:

  • A review of your intake paperwork, completed online before we meet

  • Your story, in your words: what's happening now, what you've tried, and what's felt stuck

  • Initial goal setting: what "better" would actually look like for you

  • Your questions: about our approach, logistics, or anything else on your mind

There's no pressure to share everything at once. Therapy is collaborative, and the first session moves at your pace.

Is therapy completely confidential?

Yes, with a few legally required exceptions that your therapist will explain in detail during your first session. Everything you share in therapy is protected under HIPAA and Wisconsin confidentiality law, and Better Days Counseling uses a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform for all sessions.

The narrow exceptions where a therapist is legally required to break confidentiality include:

  • Risk of serious harm to yourself or someone else

  • Suspected abuse or neglect of a child, elderly person, or dependent adult

  • A court order compelling disclosure of records

Outside of these specific situations, what you share stays between you and your therapist. We'll walk through these limits clearly during your first session so there are no surprises.