FAQ

While both therapists and coaches support personal growth and change, they have distinct roles—especially in training, approach, and focus.

Psychotherapists treat mental health conditions.
Therapists are licensed mental health professionals who treat clinical mental health conditions. Counseling focuses on understanding, healing, and resolving emotional trauma or pain carried from the past. If you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, or other clinical issues, it is best to work with a psychotherapist. 
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Coaches focus on personal or professional development and problem-solving.
Coaches are future-oriented, helping you move from feeling stuck to taking purposeful action. They support your growth by helping you clarify goals, leverage strengths, and stay accountable. Unlike therapy, coaching does not involve clinical interventions or treat mental health disorders. Instead, coaches offer structured conversations, practical tools, psychoeducation, and goal-setting to guide you toward clarity and empowerment.

For a deeper dive into the distinctions, you can read more here:
🔗 Life Coach vs. Therapist: What’s the Difference? – Zencare

‍Both roles can be incredibly valuable—depending on what you need, where you are in your journey, and what kind of support you're looking for.

That's a great question! Because I’m trained in both, it might seem natural to combine the two. However, counseling and coaching serve different purposes, and blending them can create ethical dilemmas or blur important boundaries that are essential for your care. For this reason, I don’t offer both services to the same person at the same time.
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If you're dealing with a mental health concern—like anxiety, depression, or past trauma—counseling would be the right path. It provides a space to explore emotions, heal, and build healthier patterns. If you're looking to set and achieve goals, gain clarity, and move forward in a specific area of life, coaching might be the better fit. And if, during coaching, it becomes clear that therapy is needed, I would support you in finding a qualified therapist.
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The goal is always to ensure you receive the most appropriate support for where you are right now.

It depends on the service you're looking for!

Coaching isn’t regulated by state licensing boards, so it’s not limited by location. We can work together virtually, no matter where you are in the world.

Counseling, on the other hand, is governed by state licensing laws. To work with me for counseling, you must be physically located in one of the states where I am licensed: Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, or Washington, D.C. All counseling sessions are conducted remotely, so as long as you're in one of these states at the time of our session, we'll be able to work together.

I do not accept insurance. All services are private pay, which allows me to offer personalized, flexible care fully focused on your needs—without insurance limitations. This means:

If you have a PPO plan with out-of-network mental health benefits, you might be able to get reimbursed for sessions. I can provide a superbill (a detailed receipt) for you to submit to your insurance company. Please keep in mind:

Before starting, it can be helpful to call your insurance provider and ask:

Good Faith Estimate: By law, if you choose not to use your health insurance and opt to pay for therapy services out of pocket, you are entitled to a Good Faith Estimate of medical costs under the No Surprises Act. Click here for more information.

I accept Zelle, Venmo, and secure credit card payments using Ivy Pay.
Cash and personal checks are accepted for in-person sessions.
Payments are due at the time of each scheduled appointment.

I offer both virtual and in-person sessions.

Virtual Sessions are conducted through Google Meet, a HIPAA-compliant video platform to ensure your privacy and security. Please make sure you’re in a quiet, private space free from distractions so we can fully focus on our time together.

In-person sessions are also available in my office at:
1051 Beacon Street, Suite 510, Brookline, MA 02446
Please note that in-person sessions have a different rate of $275 per session.

If you cannot make your appointment for any reason, please make sure to cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours before our scheduled meeting. If you cancel less than 24 hours in advance or miss your appointment, you will be charged a $150 cancellation no-show fee.

Request a free 15-minute consultation
Finding the right provider is key to a successful experience. The consultation is an opportunity to meet, ask questions, get a feel for my style and approach, and decide if this service is a match for your needs. After the consultation, if we are a good fit and you decide you would like to begin, we can schedule an intake appointment.
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If you have additional questions before you are ready to book any session, you can email info@alicekimlicsw.com. I will respond within two business days.
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*Please note that visiting this website or requesting a 15-minute consultation does not constitute a professional or therapeutic relationship.