Your Questions, Answered

  • Soft Reins Counseling is a Virginia-based mental health practice providing compassionate, evidence-based therapy for teens and adults through telehealth and select in-person services. Cassandra and her team support clients across Virginia and Florida* who are navigating trauma, stress, life transitions, emotional regulation challenges, and relationship concerns.

    Services include trauma-informed counseling, ADHD and autism support, addiction-related concerns, first responder and military support, parenting support, and relationship therapy. Our approach is affirming, strengths-based, and grounded in evidence-based care, offering a calm and supportive space for meaningful growth and healing.

    To maintain a focused and effective scope of practice, Soft Reins Counseling does not provide personality-disorder-focused treatment or play therapy. Referrals can be provided for clients seeking specialized care in these areas.

    New Client Availability: Our counseling interns are currently accepting new clients under clinical supervision, providing an additional opportunity to access services through Soft Reins Counseling.

    *Florida Clients: Services are currently available to clients located in Florida through secure telehealth by Cassandra. In-person Florida services may become available in the future.

  • At Soft Reins Counseling, therapy is never rushed or one-size-fits-all. Cassandra and her team provide compassionate, evidence-based therapy for teens and adults using a calm, thoughtfully paced approach that prioritizes emotional safety, trust, and genuine connection.

    Rather than focusing only on symptoms, Cassandra and her team work collaboratively with clients to understand the whole picture—including experiences, strengths, and goals—so therapy feels meaningful, supportive, and sustainable. This approach is especially helpful for clients navigating trauma, ADHD, autism, emotional regulation challenges, addiction, military and first response and life transitions.

  • You can contact Soft Reins Counseling by reaching out through the website or calling our direct phone number at (804) 207 - 4605 to schedule a consultation. We provide therapy for teens and adults across Virginia and Florida through secure telehealth and in-person platforms.

    After you reach out, you’ll receive guidance on next steps and have the opportunity to ask questions about therapy, availability, and whether our approach is a good fit for your needs.

    If there is a crisis or emergency, please contact 911, 988 or go to your nearest emergency room.

  • Cassandra’s caseload at Soft Reins Counseling is currently full, with new client inquiries being placed on a waitlist. In the meantime, new clients may have the opportunity to work with our counseling interns, who are currently accepting new clients under clinical supervision.

    Availability can always change, so reaching out is the best way to learn about future openings and next steps.

    Florida Services: At this time, Florida-based services are offered exclusively through secure telehealth by Cassandra.

  • Our counseling interns are graduate-level clinicians completing their supervised clinical training. They provide individualized counseling services while receiving ongoing supervision and guidance from Cassandra Bowes Payne, LPC, NCC, founder and clinician of Soft Reins Counseling.

    Working with an intern provides an opportunity to receive thoughtful, quality care while supporting the development of an emerging counseling professional. Counseling services remain confidential and are provided in accordance with applicable privacy and ethical requirements. As part of the supervision process, appropriate clinical information may be discussed with Cassandra to support ethical, competent, and effective care.

    Payment options and fees for services with our counseling interns will be discussed during the consultation and intake process. We will review available options and determine the most appropriate arrangement based on your individual circumstances and needs.

    Our interns current availability and service options may vary. Contact Soft Reins Counseling to learn about current telehealth and/or in-person availability.

  • Yes. Cassandra offers therapy services in Virginia and Florida through insurance, including plans accessed through Headway and Grow, as well as self-pay options. Cassandra provides telehealth and select in-person sessions for teens and adults, and many clients are able to use their insurance benefits to support their care.

    Insurance coverage and benefits vary by plan, so we encourage you to reach out so we can review your eligibility, coverage details, and next steps.

    Our counseling interns offer reduced fees for services as these are self-pay and not billed through insurance.

    Sliding-scale rates are also available to help reduce financial barriers and support access to affordable care. A limited number of pro bono openings may be available based on current capacity.

  • Soft Reins Counseling accepts insurance for therapy in Virginia through Headway and Grow Therapy. Coverage and benefits vary by plan, so reaching out directly helps confirm eligibility and expected costs. Private pay therapy options are available for teens and adults who prefer not to use insurance or who are seeking greater flexibility through Sessions Health. This option allows clients to access care without involving their insurance provider.

    • Initial Intake Assessment ($225) self-pay

    • Individual sessions ($175/53 minutes) self-pay

    • Family sessions ($175/53 minutes) self-pay

    • Intern rate ($40/53 minutes) self-pay

    • EMDR Intensives ($250/hour) self-pay

    In Network Insurance Companies : Anthem, Anthem EAP, Aetna, Aetna Medicare Advantage, Carelon Behavioral Health, Cigna, Horizon BC/BS, Horizon BCBS, Humana Medicare Advantage, Independence BC Pennsylvania, Kaiser (Sentara), Kaiser Medicare Advantage, Quest Behavioral Health, United Healthcare

    Accessible Care Options

    Soft Reins Counseling is committed to making therapy accessible whenever possible. In addition to insurance and private-pay options, sliding-scale rates and a limited number of pro bono appointments may be available based on current capacity.

    For those seeking a new client appointment, our counseling interns currently have availability and provide services under clinical supervision, offering an additional pathway to care through Soft Reins Counseling. Rates and availability may vary depending on the provider and service.

  • EMDR Intensives are a focused, extended approach to Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy that allows more time to work on specific traumatic experiences, distressing memories, or treatment goals within a condensed timeframe. Rather than limiting EMDR work to a traditional weekly session, intensives provide additional dedicated time for preparation, processing, integration, and nervous system regulation.

    EMDR Intensives may be helpful for clients who want to dedicate focused time to their healing, have a specific treatment target they would like to address, or prefer a more concentrated approach to therapy. Each intensive is individualized based on the client's needs, readiness, treatment goals, and clinical presentation.

    An initial assessment is completed to determine whether an intensive format is appropriate and to develop a plan that supports safety, pacing, and meaningful therapeutic progress.

    EMDR Intensives are self-pay services and are not billed through insurance. Payment details and scheduling options will be discussed during the consultation process.