You can start by submitting an inquiry through the website or contacting MWU directly. We’ll review your needs, availability, and whether MWU is an appropriate fit before scheduling.

Yes. Consultation availability may vary depending on scheduling and current caseload.

The first session focuses on building rapport, learning more about your background, discussing what brings you to therapy, and identifying your goals. You may also be asked to complete intake paperwork through the client portal before your appointment.

MWU provides therapy for children, adolescents, transitional-age youth, adults, couples, and families, depending on clinical fit and service availability.

Yes. Couples and family therapy are available by referral and as private-pay services. MWU also proudly provides queer-affirming, inclusive care for LGBTQIA+ couples and diverse family structures, with treatment tailored to each relationship’s unique needs, experiences, and goals.

Yes. Christian and Spiritually integrated counseling is available when requested and is incorporated in a way that respects the client’s beliefs, values, and treatment goals.

MWU is primarily a telehealth practice. Select in-person services may be available depending on clinical need, scheduling, and location.

Yes. Mental Wellness University accepts private-pay clients, with individual therapy sessions generally around $200 for 53 minutes, and participates with a variety of commercial insurance plans through credentialing partners.

Current plans may include:

Aetna & Aetna-affiliated plans
Aetna • Allied Benefits • ASR Health Benefits • Gravie • Lucent Health • Luminare • Moda • WebTPA • HealthEZ

UnitedHealthcare / Optum plans:
UnitedHealthcare/Optum • Optum • All Savers • Golden Rule • Oxford • Surest (formerly Bind) • UnitedHealthcare Shared Services • UnitedHealthcare StudentResources • United Medical Resources • UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance • Harvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcare • OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions

Additional plans:
Blue Shield • Carelon Behavioral Health (Commercial) • AvMed • IHSS Healthy Workers • L.A. Care Covered • L.A. Care Covered Direct • L.A. Care PASC-SEIU • Oscar • Sharp Health Plan • Sutter Health Plan

Prefer not to use insurance?
Private-pay sessions are generally $200 for a 53-minute individual therapy session. Rates may vary by service type, and current fees are reviewed before scheduling.

Insurance participation does not guarantee coverage for services. Benefits, copays, deductibles, authorization requirements, and eligibility vary by plan. Coverage should be verified before your first appointment.

Yes. Private-pay services are available.

Private-pay fees vary by service type. Individual therapy sessions are generally around $200 for 53 minutes, and current rates and payment information are reviewed before scheduling.

Limited reduced-fee arrangements may be available based on financial hardship, clinical availability, and practice capacity.

Weekly sessions may be recommended at the beginning of treatment, with frequency adjusted based on your needs, progress, clinical presentation, and treatment goals.

We understand that unexpected situations can happen. Whenever possible, please provide at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment.

Appointments canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice, as well as missed appointments, may be subject to a $200 late-cancellation or missed-appointment fee.

In the event of a true emergency or unexpected circumstance, MWU may review the situation on a case-by-case basis. Reasonable documentation may be requested when appropriate to support an excused absence or determine whether a fee adjustment, waiver, or reimbursement is warranted under the practice policy.

The goal is to balance flexibility for genuine emergencies with respect for reserved clinical time.

For clients with an established safety plan, the clinician may provide additional support when clinically appropriate and as previously arranged.

Emergencies should be handled according to the client’s safety plan, including use of designated crisis resources, 988, 911, or the nearest emergency department when immediate intervention is needed.

You can connect with me in the way that is most convenient for you. You may complete the contact form below, schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation directly through my website, or book an appointment through Tebra, Headway, Grow Therapy, Rula, or Psychology Today.

You can also find my practice by searching Mental Wellness University, Licensed Clinical Social Worker Inc. or Lauresha Z. Hawkins, LCSW, MSW, MPH on Google.

I strive to respond to all inquiries within 24 hours. There is no obligation to move forward after your consultation. It is simply an opportunity for us to get to know one another, discuss what you are looking for in therapy, answer any questions you may have, and determine whether we are the right therapeutic fit.

Your healing journey should begin with a provider and space that feel right for you.

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You must physically be located in a state where your treating clinician is licensed at the time of the appointment.

A private, confidential space, reliable internet connection, and a device with working video and audio are required for telehealth sessions.

No other person should be present, listening, or within hearing distance during your session unless their participation has been discussed and approved with your clinician in advance. This includes family members, partners, friends, coworkers, or others in the home.

Clients are encouraged to use headphones when additional privacy is needed and should choose a location where they can speak freely without interruption.

If adequate privacy cannot be maintained, the clinician may determine that the session cannot safely or appropriately continue.

Yes. What you share in therapy is generally private and confidential, and MWU takes your privacy seriously.

There are a few situations where your clinician may be legally or ethically required to share information to help protect your safety or the safety of someone else. This can include concerns about abuse or neglect of a child, older adult, or dependent adult; serious risk of harm to yourself or another person; or certain legal requirements such as court orders.

These limits are reviewed with you during the informed-consent process so you understand when confidentiality may need to be broken. When appropriate and legally permitted, your clinician will make reasonable efforts to discuss the situation with you before information is shared.

MWU uses an Authorization for Release and Exchange of Information form when records or communication with another person or organization are requested.

No. MWU is not an emergency or crisis-response service. If you are experiencing an immediate emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. You may also call or text 988 for crisis support.

Therapy at Mental Wellness University is individualized, collaborative, and designed around the person—not a template. Treatment may integrate multiple evidence-based approaches while considering culture, identity, environment, relationships, and real-life barriers that affect mental wellness.