Welcome!

Thank you for visiting the Foundations Mental Health Services, LLC website!

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A BRIEF INTRODUCTION

My name is Michael Cole and I am the owner and sole clinician here at Foundations Mental Health Services, LLC.

My practice is centered on the core values of serving others, that all human beings have worth, and that all human beings are entitled to be treated in a dignified and respectful manner. I actively practice honesty and integrity in all that I do for those in my care. I provide competent, flexible, and affordable services focused on the unique needs of each individual. I strive to partner with those in my care to navigate the issues that concern them. I am always working to offer hope, encourage action, and partner with my clients so that they can begin to create healthy, positive change for themselves.

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I designed this website with a simple goal in mind; to help people get answers to their questions as quickly and as easily as possible. Flashy websites can be fun to look at, however, when it comes to seeking a mental healthcare provider, it has been my experience that most people prefer to just get down to business. This page will explain a bit about who I am and which services I provide. It is my hope that you can take the information and make an informed decision about whether or not I might be a good fit for your needs.

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With that said, let's get down to business...

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WHO DOES FOUNDATIONS MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, LLC SERVE?

Foundations Mental Health Services, LLC is a virtual healthcare provider serving residents of Minnesota and North Dakota. The practice serves both individuals and couples. Clients 15 years of age and up are accepted. All clients seen by Foundations Mental Health Services, LLC must be appropriate for both virtual and outpatient-based services and are screened prior to beginning services to ensure that virtual and outpatient services are appropriate.

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WHAT DOES FOUNDATIONS MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, LLC SPECIALIZE IN AND HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH?

I have extensive experience in assisting individuals and couples with issues such as, but not limited to, depression, anxiety, trauma and trauma reactions, grief, loss, emotional dysregulation, foundational skills, relationship concerns including expansive relationships, stress management, social and familial relationships, and cultural/identity concerns. I support and have experience working with non-heteronormative communities (LGBTQIA2S+, Transgender, non-monogamy/polyamory relationships, kink, sex positive, etc.) and BIPOC communities as well. I consider myself supportive, affirming, and allied with these communities. I also have experience in providing lecturing/guest-speaking services to students, agencies, and members of the general public on a wide range of topics pertaining to treatment, mental health, and social policy.

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WHAT IS THIS GOING TO COST ME? IS IT EVEN SAFE TO DO THIS KIND OF THING ONLINE?

Depending on which source you find, the average cost of a single individual psychotherapy session can range from $100 to $240 and sometimes even higher.  The cost of an average therapy session for a couple can range from $140 to $280 and again, sometimes higher. These prices reflect what many providers charge either per session or per hour. For those who are insured, insurance can sometimes lessen the financial blow. Unfortunately, and far too often, when insurance does cover mental health services, it does so in a limited capacity. Sometimes insurance companies do not cover any of the cost of mental health services for those they insure thus forcing people to pay cash-out-of-pocket for medically necessary services. Finding a provider and figuring out how to financially cover costs can be an exhaustive and frustrating endeavor to say the least.

 

A motivating factor for starting my own private practice was the desire to try and be a part of the solution to issues such as these. It has never sat well with me that so many people do without access to affordable healthcare services in the wealthiest country in the history of the world. I wanted to be widely accessible to folks in need (virtual practice) and be able to offer them affordable options for the care they need.

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Currently, I am partnered with an entity that does bill some major insurances in Minnesota and North Dakota on my behalf. I accept the reimbursement rates that those insurers offer and never approach clients for additional fees or co-pays. The insurances that I am currently paneled with are as follows:

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MINNESOTA:

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

United Healthcare

Oxford

Oscar Health

Aetna

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NORTH DAKOTA:

Cigna

Aetna

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OTHER:

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts

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I also offer cash-pay services very similar to how well-known online sites like Betterhelp and Talkspace do, except I charge less than they do and offer you more in return. My cash-pay services have been wildly popular with people as they are often more affordable than other providers, are cheaper than some deductible costs, and saves people the hassle of having to deal with insurance companies altogether. In addition, I am also currently working on developing a sliding-fee scale to provide yet another option to assist people. I am hoping to roll this out at some point in 2024. 

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With regard to safety, I utilize a well-known HIPAA compliant platform to meet with clients virtually. It is utilized by many providers and has solid security features and a stellar reputation. I also adhere strictly to my profession's code of ethics which emphasizes the importance of confidentiality and utilize an encrypted and secure storage device for notes, assessments, messages, and correspondence which is always kept in a secured location when not in use and requires multiple authentication methods in order to access. In addition to these safety measures, I also carry a multi-million dollar insurance policy to act as a safety net so that in the unlikely event that something does occur, the means are there to help address the situation.

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If you would be interested in finding out more about how you could save money and access services that you may have thought previously unavailable to you for whatever reason --- let's talk. Visit the "contact me" tab at the top of this page in the navigation bar today. 

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 PLEASE NOTE:  Foundations Mental Health Services, LLC does NOT provide emergency/crisis-based services. If you feel you are experiencing one of these, please contact 9-8-8 (National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline), 9-1-1 for your local emergency services, or present to your local emergency room/hospital.

 

 

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Special Note: All testimonials on this website were written voluntarily and are shared with consent and I am humbled by the beautiful words and reflections that each client chose to share. I never expected such an outpouring of support, yet here it is. Each individual chose how to identify themselves and to share what field they are employed in. Their written consents are on file.

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A Special Thank You: Building this website has been a lot of work, but that process has been made easier thanks to the feedback and support of my existing clients. Much of this website reflects their suggestions. I am grateful to all of you. This website will continue to evolve and develop as people share their thoughts and feedback with me. 

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