Getting Started:
How do I schedule an appointment?
To inquire more about Advanced Behavioral Health or to schedule an appointment, click the "request an appointment" tab at the top of this page, or call 256-945-7959.
Do you offer a free consultation?
Yes, ABH does offer and prefers a free 15 minute phone consultation/interview prior to scheduling an appointment.
What happens during the first appointment?
During your first appointment, we will begin by making introductions, reviewing the forms completed prior to your visit, reviewing your clinical history, and discussing important office policies, including informed consent, confidentiality, and the client rights and disclosure statement. The first session is also an opportunity to better understand your current concerns, symptoms, history, and treatment goals.
For clients seeking OCD treatment, psychoeducation will be provided to help explain what OCD is, what it is not, and the mechanisms that keep OCD symptoms active. This may include discussion of intrusive thoughts, anxiety, compulsions, avoidance, reassurance-seeking, and the role of uncertainty. We will also begin connecting this information to your specific experiences and current situation.
Together, we will develop an initial treatment plan designed to make the best use of your time, effort, and clinical goals. The purpose of the first appointment is to establish a clear understanding of your concerns, answer questions, and begin building a structured path forward.
Will ABH be a good fit for me?
Advanced Behavioral Health may be a good fit if you are seeking specialized, evidence-based care for OCD, anxiety-related concerns, intrusive thoughts, or a comprehensive adult ADHD evaluation. ABH is best suited for clients who want a structured and collaborative approach to treatment, practical strategies they can apply outside of session, and care that is guided by clinical expertise rather than a one-size-fits-all model. Because ABH is a private specialty practice, treatment is intentionally focused, individualized, and designed for clients who are ready to better understand their symptoms, develop effective skills, and work toward meaningful change.
Fees, Insurance, and Private-Pay Care
Advanced Behavioral Health is a private specialty practice with a session rate of $200 per session. This fee reflects the value of receiving specialized, private-pay care that is individualized, clinically focused, and designed for clients seeking evidence-based treatment for OCD, anxiety-related concerns, intrusive thoughts, and adult ADHD evaluations.
Advanced Behavioral Health does not directly file insurance claims; however, clients may request a what is known as a "superbill," which is an insurance-friendly receipt that may be submitted directly to their insurance company for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Reimbursement is determined by each client’s individual insurance plan and is not guaranteed.
To help make care more accessible, Advanced Behavioral Health also offers CareCredit, a health and wellness credit card that may be used to help manage the cost of therapy services.
What does it mean that ABH is a private specialty practice?
ABH is intentionally structured as a private specialty practice rather than a high-volume counseling clinic. This means the number of clients accepted into care is limited so that treatment can remain personalized, focused, and clinically responsive. This model allows for more thoughtful treatment planning, careful monitoring of progress, and greater attention to each client’s specific goals and needs.
Why does ABH limit the number of accepted clients?
ABH limits the number of active clients in order to maintain quality, availability, and individualized care. A smaller caseload allows for more personalized treatment planning, better continuity of care, and increased responsiveness when clients need guidance applying strategies outside of session.
Does ABH offer after-hours consultations?
When clinically appropriate and available, ABH may provide limited after-hours consultation to help established clients apply treatment strategies, remain consistent with therapeutic goals, or navigate difficult moments. ABH does not provide emergency or crisis services. Clients experiencing a mental health emergency should call 988, go to the nearest emergency room, or contact emergency services.
OCD Treatment
What are some of the different aspects of OCD?
Some aspects include contamination fears, checking, intrusive harm thoughts, sexual intrusive thoughts, taboo thoughts, religious/scrupulosity concerns, relationship OCD, perfectionism, mental rituals, reassurance-seeking, avoidance, and uncertainty intolerance.
What is ERP?
ERP stands for Exposure and Response Prevention. It is one of the most effective treatments for OCD. In simple terms, ERP helps a person gradually face the thoughts, situations, feelings, or triggers that make OCD feelings, such as fear, guilt, shame, or disgust, uncomfortable, while also learning not to do the compulsions or rituals that OCD demands.
The “exposure” part means practicing contact with something that triggers anxiety or uncertainty. The “response prevention” part means resisting the usual compulsion, such as checking, washing, confessing, avoiding, asking for reassurance, mentally reviewing, or trying to figure everything out. Over time, the brain learns that anxiety can rise and fall without needing a ritual to make it go away.
ERP is not about forcing someone into overwhelming situations. It is a structured, collaborative process that is planned carefully and practiced at a manageable pace. The goal is to help clients build confidence, tolerate uncertainty, reduce compulsions, and regain freedom from OCD’s rules.
Why is specialized OCD treatment important?
Specialized OCD treatment is important because OCD is often misunderstood and can be unintentionally reinforced by approaches that are helpful for other concerns. Reassurance, avoidance, excessive talk therapy, repeated analysis, and attempts to “figure out” intrusive thoughts may provide temporary relief, but they often strengthen the OCD cycle over time. Effective OCD treatment requires a structured, evidence-based approach that helps clients reduce compulsions, tolerate uncertainty, and respond to intrusive thoughts in a healthier and more effective way.
Will treatment make me talk about uncomfortable thoughts?
OCD treatment may involve discussing uncomfortable or unwanted thoughts, but this is done in a structured, respectful, and collaborative way. The goal is not to shock, shame, or overwhelm you, but to help you better understand how OCD works and learn how to respond to intrusive thoughts more effectively. Treatment is paced appropriately, and we work together to build skills, reduce avoidance, and help you gain confidence in facing uncertainty without relying on compulsions or reassurance.
How long does OCD treatment take?
The length of OCD treatment varies from person to person and depends on several factors, including symptom severity, the level of avoidance, consistency with treatment, co-occurring concerns such as anxiety or depression, and willingness to practice skills between sessions. OCD treatment is most effective when clients actively participate both during and outside of appointments. While there is no exact timeline, the goal is to develop a structured plan that helps reduce compulsions, build tolerance for uncertainty, and support meaningful progress over time.
Do I have to do homework between sessions?
Yes. OCD treatment, especially ERP, requires practice outside of the therapy office. Between-session assignments help clients apply what they learn, reduce avoidance, resist compulsions, and build tolerance for uncertainty in real-life situations. Homework is planned collaboratively and paced appropriately, but consistent practice is an important part of making meaningful progress.
ADHD Evaluations
Do you provide adult ADHD evaluations?
Yes. Advanced Behavioral Health provides comprehensive adult ADHD evaluations designed to help determine whether attention, concentration, impulsivity, organization, or executive functioning difficulties are consistent with ADHD or may be better explained by other factors.
Why isn’t a questionnaire enough to diagnose ADHD?
A questionnaire can provide helpful information, but it is not enough by itself to accurately diagnose ADHD. Many concerns, including anxiety, depression, poor sleep, OCD, trauma, stress, and life demands, can look similar to ADHD. A more complete evaluation helps clarify what is contributing to the symptoms and reduces the risk of misdiagnosis.
What does the ADHD evaluation include?
The ADHD evaluation may include a clinical interview, symptom history, rating scales, executive functioning review, attention testing such as T.O.V.A., and the Brown Executive Function scale, abbreviated IQ assessment, discussion of other factors that may mimic or contribute to ADHD symptoms. This may include anxiety, depression, sleep problems, OCD, trauma, stress, or other concerns that can affect attention and daily functioning.
Will I receive a written report?
Yes. Clients typically receive a written report summarizing the evaluation results, clinical impressions, relevant findings, and recommendations. The report is designed to help clients better understand their symptoms and may also be useful when coordinating care with other providers.
Can the evaluation be used for medication consultation with my physician or psychiatrist?
At the client’s request, the written report may be shared with a physician, psychiatrist, or other medical provider as part of a medication consultation or broader treatment planning process. Medication decisions, including whether medication is appropriate, are made by the prescribing provider.
Is a deposit required for ADHD testing?
Yes. A deposit is required to reserve an ADHD evaluation appointment. This helps protect the time set aside for testing, review of materials, scoring, interpretation, and report preparation. Specific deposit amount, payment expectations, and cancellation policies can be discussed prior to scheduling.
How long does the evaluation process take?
The length of the ADHD evaluation process can vary depending on the complexity of the concerns, the measures used, the amount of history reviewed, and the time required for scoring and report preparation. The goal is to complete a careful, clinically useful evaluation rather than relying on a rushed or overly simplified assessment.
Privacy, Records, and Communication
Is therapy confidential?
Yes. Therapy is confidential, and your privacy is an important part of the counseling relationship. There are, however, certain legal and ethical limits to confidentiality, including concerns related to risk of harm to yourself or others, suspected abuse or neglect of a child, elderly person, or vulnerable adult, court orders, or other situations required by law.
Can I communicate by email or text?
Email or text may be used for basic scheduling, appointment reminders, or limited administrative communication. For privacy and security, clinical concerns, sensitive personal information, forms, documents, and treatment-related communication should generally be handled through the SimplePractice Client Portal or discussed during scheduled appointments. The client portal provides a more secure way to manage communication and access important information related to care. Email and text should not be used for urgent matters, emergencies, or crisis situations.
How quickly are messages returned?
Advanced Behavioral Health makes every effort to return messages in a timely manner during normal business hours. Response times may vary depending on the clinical schedule, appointments, weekends, holidays, or time away from the office. Because messages are not monitored continuously, voicemail, email, text, or portal messages should not be used for urgent or emergency situations.
Does ABH provide emergency services?
No. Advanced Behavioral Health is an outpatient specialty practice and does not provide emergency or crisis services. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, believe you may harm yourself or someone else, or need immediate assistance, please call 988, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Location and Appointment Format
Where is ABH located?
Advanced Behavioral Health is located at 303 Williams Avenue SW, Suite 135A, Huntsville, Alabama 35801. The office provides a professional, private setting for clients seeking specialized treatment for OCD, anxiety-related concerns, intrusive thoughts, and adult ADHD evaluations.
Do you offer telehealth?
Yes. Telehealth may be available for appropriate clients when clinically appropriate. Because counseling licensure laws are state-specific, telehealth services are generally available only to clients who are physically located in Alabama at the time of the appointment, unless otherwise permitted by applicable licensure rules.
Is parking available?
ABH provides ample parking within the Park Plaza location in downtown Huntsville.
What are your office hours?
Office hours may vary depending on clinical availability, scheduled appointments, testing services, and administrative responsibilities. Typically. Office house are M-F 9am to 5pm. Appointment times are scheduled in advance, and prospective clients may contact ABH directly to discuss current availability.
Do you see clients outside Huntsville?
Yes, ABH may work with clients outside the Huntsville area when telehealth is clinically appropriate and permitted by licensure requirements. In most cases, clients must be physically located in Alabama at the time of service. Clients outside Alabama should contact ABH to determine whether services are available based on current legal and professional requirements.