Choosing a therapist can mean sorting through profiles that sound alike while still trying to answer practical questions: Can I attend from New York? What will I pay? Will my faith be respected? Is there a time I can actually keep?
If you are looking for online Christian therapy, you can narrow your options by checking those details before committing to an appointment. These seven questions give you a concrete way to compare providers and understand the next step with Josie Guerra, LCSW-R, at Zion Counseling Center.
1. Can I attend sessions from where I will physically be?
Tell a prospective therapist the state where you expect to attend online sessions. Mention travel or a regular schedule that places you in another state. A New York mailing address does not answer every location question.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services advises providers to verify a patient's location before a telehealth appointment and explains that cross-state practice rules vary. Confirm your situation with the clinician rather than assuming that online care is available everywhere. Read HHS guidance on location and telehealth.
Zion's New York pathway with Josie is online only. There is no office visit to arrange through this service.
2. What would Christian integration look like in my sessions?
A description such as “Christian counseling” does not tell you exactly how a therapist includes faith. Before booking, explain what you want: space to discuss beliefs, attention to how faith relates to a difficult decision, or a conversation that respects your values without introducing religious practices.
Useful questions include: “How do you decide when to bring faith into a session?” and “Can I ask to leave a particular practice out?” You can also ask whether a secular approach is available. The aim is to understand the actual working arrangement, not to assume that a shared label means identical beliefs or preferences.
At Zion, Christian integration is optional and guided by client preference. You do not need to request faith integration to inquire about care with Josie.
3. How does the therapist describe their experience and approach?
Look for a clear explanation of the clinician's credentials, the people they work with, and how they approach the concerns you want to discuss. A list of therapy abbreviations may be less useful than an understandable answer about what sessions could involve.
The National Institute of Mental Health recommends asking about a therapist's experience, approach, treatment goals, confidentiality, and how progress will be assessed. Choose two or three questions that matter most to you and bring them to an initial conversation. See NIMH's questions for a prospective therapist.
Josie's profile describes her approach as warm, collaborative, and active. It lists work with adults and couples around anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, and life transitions. Ask how her approach would apply to what you are seeking help with; a profile cannot establish fit on its own.
4. What will I pay, and what needs to be verified?
Get a clear answer about the particular clinician and service you want. A practice offering some insurance options does not mean every therapist, appointment type, or plan is covered.
Zion's website lists the fees below. Confirm the amount that applies to the service and payment pathway you will use before booking.
Individual therapy, private pay: $225 per session.
Couples therapy, private pay: $275 per session.
Individual therapy using insurance: May be available for eligible care through Alma. Confirm the clinician, plan, benefits, and expected cost before relying on coverage.
Couples therapy with Josie is private pay. Before scheduling, also ask about session length, billing, cancellation terms, and the expected frequency of appointments. Those details help you compare the cost of continuing care. Review Zion's fees and payment information.
5. Is there a recurring appointment time that works for me?
An opening for a first conversation may not be the same as an ongoing therapy appointment. Ask about both. Tell the provider when you can reliably attend and whether that window is likely to change.
If you are comparing a few therapists, keep a short note for each: location eligibility, payment path, approach, faith preferences, and recurring availability. You do not need an elaborate rating system. You need enough concrete information to decide whether to take the next step.
Check Josie's current options through her booking profile rather than relying on a promise of same-week or immediate care. Availability can change.
6. How will the online visit work, including privacy and technology?
Ask which video system you will use, how to access the appointment, what forms are needed, and what to do if the connection fails. If you need accessibility support, discuss it before the visit.
HHS recommends checking the cost and visit instructions, finding a quiet place where you can speak comfortably, and testing your internet connection and device. Ask the practice how to raise a privacy concern if your usual location is not suitable. Read HHS's telehealth preparation guidance.
For an initial scheduling inquiry, share only the information needed to discuss eligibility and next steps. Follow the practice's instructions for providing clinical information through its intake process.
7. What happens first, and how can I ask questions about fit?
Before you select an appointment, check what it is for. A consultation, an intake, and an ongoing therapy session may have different purposes and fees. Ask what to expect and how to raise a concern if the approach does not feel right.
You do not have to arrive with a polished explanation of everything you want to discuss. A brief description of what brings you in, the practical details above, and a few questions can give the provider a starting point for a conversation about fit.
Starting with Josie Guerra at Zion
Josie Guerra, LCSW-R, offers online therapy for New York adults and couples. Christian integration is available when requested. Her full profile explains her background and approach; the fees page separates private-pay rates from the eligible individual-insurance pathway.
To explore the next step, review Josie's availability and eligibility options through Alma. If you are unsure which clinician to contact, use Zion's therapist-match inquiry. Confirm your location, service, payment path, and appointment details before beginning.
Looking specifically for private-pay care with Tony Lopez? Tony’s private-pay practice has his current services, fees, eligible states, and consultation path.
Sources and further reading
National Institute of Mental Health: Psychotherapies — questions about choosing and talking with a therapist.
HHS Telehealth: Licensing across state lines — why the location of a telehealth appointment needs to be confirmed.
HHS Telehealth: What should I know before my telehealth visit? — practical preparation for a video appointment.
Practice details checked November 3, 2026. Confirm current fees, benefits, appointment options, and clinical fit before booking.