Frequently asked questions

You’re already on your way by doing your research and finding a therapist you think would be a good fit. Summit Shores offers a free initial phone consultation so we can briefly discuss your reasons for seeking therapy and set up a convenient time to meet — in person in Jacksonville Beach or by telehealth anywhere in Florida.

Call 720.739.0208 or request an appointment online to start your therapeutic journey today.

No — Summit Shores Counseling is a private-pay practice and does not accept insurance. This keeps your care between you and your therapist: no diagnosis requirements, session limits, or treatment records shared with an insurer.

Under the No Surprises Act, you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate of what your services may cost. See fees & payment.

A 50-minute psychotherapy session is $125–$150, paid privately. Details on the fees page.

Mandy has been licensed and practicing for 15 years, and while she works well with general concerns, she specializes in the treatment of eating disorders in adults. Eating disorders are complex, multifaceted illnesses that require specialized therapeutic, medical, and nutritional support — if you or someone you know is struggling, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

She also works with anxiety, depression, women’s issues, infertility, and pregnancy, prenatal, and postpartum concerns.

Yes. Sessions are available in person at the Jacksonville Beach office or by secure telehealth for clients located anywhere in Florida.

Summit Shores works with adults aged 18 and older, and does not provide services for children or young adolescents.

Counseling can be beneficial for anyone looking to examine what’s going on in their life, explore how coping skills — both adaptive and maladaptive — are impacting them, and identify ways to re-engage with life in a way that feels empowering. Most people feel an immediate relief upon sharing long-held worries with a therapist, and with continued work together you can move forward while putting the skills and insight gained in counseling into practice.

It can be a daunting decision to start therapy, and it’s natural to have second thoughts and worries. In Mandy’s experience, there is often a genuine internal voice wondering about self-growth — and a fear-based voice discouraging self-exploration. Consider listening to that first voice.

Therapy is an ongoing relationship, not a prison sentence — you can test it out and, with honest communication with your therapist, continue or discontinue as it makes sense to you. Mandy has written more about getting past the stigma of starting therapy.

The first session is a conversation: what brings you in, relevant history, and what you want out of therapy. Together you’ll sketch a plan and a pace. It’s normal to feel nervous — most people leave the first session relieved to have finally said things out loud.

Most people begin with weekly 50-minute sessions. How long therapy lasts depends on your goals — some people come for a season, others longer. Progress is reviewed together regularly, so therapy continues exactly as long as it’s useful to you.

For many common concerns — including anxiety and depression — research finds outcomes from secure video therapy comparable to in-person care. What matters most is the fit with your therapist and consistency. Summit Shores offers both: in person in Jacksonville Beach and telehealth anywhere in Florida.

No. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Mandy provides psychotherapy, not prescriptions. When medication is part of the picture, she coordinates with your physician or psychiatric provider for continuity of care.

LMHC stands for Licensed Mental Health Counselor — Florida’s license for master’s-level clinicians trained to assess and treat mental health concerns through psychotherapy. LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) is the equivalent title used in many other states.

The office is at 931 3rd Street N in Jacksonville Beach — minutes from Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach, and a short drive from Ponte Vedra Beach. By secure telehealth, Summit Shores serves adults anywhere in Florida.