frequently asked questions
Does acupuncture hurt?
Most patients don’t feel the points at all. At some points you might feel a little pinch, which is totally normal. Once the needles are placed, you may feel a pleasant warm, dull, achy sensation, and that means the needles are getting their groove on and doing their job. Many patients find it so relaxing that they fall asleep, and if we’re being honest, who doesn’t want to knock off for 45 minutes in the middle of the day? Heaven.
How many acupuncture visits will i need, And how soon will I see results?
Acupuncture treatments are more effective with higher frequency. This means that you may initially come 1-2x/week for the first several weeks as your schedule allows, and then as frequently as needed until symptoms are under control. After that, many patients choose to continue maintenance visits - ranging from every other week to once per month - to tackle any minor injuries or issues that arise from standard workouts and day to day life, or for preventative care, such as boosting the immune system during cold and flu season.
Important note: Acupuncture is not a magic bullet! It helps the body heal itself and jump starts processes such as immune system functionality and neural reprograming, but it's not an instant fix. If you injured yourself 6 months/years ago, one treatment won't completely unwind what's out of sorts. Acupuncture is an incredibly effective tool in the arsenal of the healing journey, but it's one of several things that may need to be done to improve your current circumstances. In almost all cases the healing process will require active participation from the patient (thats you!).
Important note: Acupuncture is not a magic bullet! It helps the body heal itself and jump starts processes such as immune system functionality and neural reprograming, but it's not an instant fix. If you injured yourself 6 months/years ago, one treatment won't completely unwind what's out of sorts. Acupuncture is an incredibly effective tool in the arsenal of the healing journey, but it's one of several things that may need to be done to improve your current circumstances. In almost all cases the healing process will require active participation from the patient (thats you!).
How should I prepare for my acupuncture appointment?
Initial paperwork is required and it's mandatory that it be filled out prior to the initial consult so as to maximize efficiency during your first intake and ensure that there is enough time for your treatment. Acupuncture appointments may also require access to certain areas of the body, and we recommend that you wear or bring loose, comfortable clothing, such as a tank top and pair of workout shorts. We also encourage clothing that is comfortable-yet-fabulous; bonus points for a smoking jacket or hostess pajamas.
Who is collaborative coaching for?
This type of work is for anyone who is feeling stuck, burnt out, dealing with analysis paralysis (a process of overthinking or circular thinking that results in not being able to make decisions effectively or clearly), or feeling like an observer in your own life. You may recognize this from feeling like:
-You're on autopilot or just going through the motions
-There are so many things on your plate that you feel like you have no time to recharge
-You can't handle minor stresses with ease anymore - you lash out, cry at the drop of a hat, or shut down/feel numb
-You don't recognize yourself/your life anymore
-You feel like your life isn't yours
-You no longer find joy in activities or hobbies
-You feel the need to escape/numb out with TV, social media scrolling, or substance use that isn't balanced
-Resting/down time makes you feel anxious, restless, or guilty
-You think about buying a one-way ticket to Bali and starting over under an assumed name (no shade if you do, but send me a postcard)
When you're struggling simply to get through the day or you're functioning on autopilot, it can be a real challenge to zoom out and see the bigger picture. You may find it difficult to identify what habits, coping mechanisms and thought patterns aren't working for you; you may know exactly which ones aren't working but have no clue how to shift into the life you want.
This is where straightforward, clear support comes in.
Please note: collaborative coaching does not include psychedelic microdosing consultation. For information on psychedelic services, visit our Psychedelic Coaching page.
-You're on autopilot or just going through the motions
-There are so many things on your plate that you feel like you have no time to recharge
-You can't handle minor stresses with ease anymore - you lash out, cry at the drop of a hat, or shut down/feel numb
-You don't recognize yourself/your life anymore
-You feel like your life isn't yours
-You no longer find joy in activities or hobbies
-You feel the need to escape/numb out with TV, social media scrolling, or substance use that isn't balanced
-Resting/down time makes you feel anxious, restless, or guilty
-You think about buying a one-way ticket to Bali and starting over under an assumed name (no shade if you do, but send me a postcard)
When you're struggling simply to get through the day or you're functioning on autopilot, it can be a real challenge to zoom out and see the bigger picture. You may find it difficult to identify what habits, coping mechanisms and thought patterns aren't working for you; you may know exactly which ones aren't working but have no clue how to shift into the life you want.
This is where straightforward, clear support comes in.
Please note: collaborative coaching does not include psychedelic microdosing consultation. For information on psychedelic services, visit our Psychedelic Coaching page.
How many coaching sessions will i need?
Most clients start to see some positive shifts in the first 1-2 months. I typically work with clients weekly for a minimum of 6 months on average. At that point, we evaluate your progress together and determine if you'd like to continue weekly sessions, shift to bimonthly or once a month, or graduate you (yes, I will send you a diploma).
Once you've graduated, you're always welcome to return at any time. Some folks come back once in a while for a tune-up. Others return for another round of coaching as they encounter fresh issues (since we're always growing and changing)
The real deal is that your progress is is a combination of things, and this is where the collaborative part comes in:
The better I know you, the more I'll be able to help you. The more willing you are to face the hard stuff and reckon with it, the faster you'll see shifts.
Once you've graduated, you're always welcome to return at any time. Some folks come back once in a while for a tune-up. Others return for another round of coaching as they encounter fresh issues (since we're always growing and changing)
The real deal is that your progress is is a combination of things, and this is where the collaborative part comes in:
The better I know you, the more I'll be able to help you. The more willing you are to face the hard stuff and reckon with it, the faster you'll see shifts.
Is coaching like therapy?
No, coaching and therapy are different. Coaching is for individuals who feel like they have a fair handle on their mental health, but who are feeling incredibly stuck, unsatisfied, or confused about the direction of their life. While they may occasionally deal with sensations of anxiousness or depression as a part of the natural ebbs and flows of life, they aren't dealing with clinical anxiety and depression, which require more significant intervention.
It's actually very common for clients to do both coaching and therapy at the same time, with different practitioners. Many of my coaching clients have a separate therapist that helps them address their anxiety or depression, while we work on how to address the more practical aspects of their day to day life.
It's actually very common for clients to do both coaching and therapy at the same time, with different practitioners. Many of my coaching clients have a separate therapist that helps them address their anxiety or depression, while we work on how to address the more practical aspects of their day to day life.
How do i know if dr. collins is the right practitioner for me?
Great question! Here are some clarifiers:
Who I do work with:
Who I do work with:
- Individuals & couples who are ready to embrace the changes necessary to heal body, mind and soul
- People who want to take a proactive approach to their physical, mental and spiritual health so that we're not fixing things after they "break"
- People who have tried other interventions with moderate or little success and are looking for a comprehensive approach to their healthcare concerns
- Folks who are keen on naturally managing their health and wellness in favor of taking non-essential medications or having non-critical surgery for quality of life
- People who enjoy a good four-letter word
- People who are not afraid to occasionally embrace big lifestyle changes for extended periods of time (dietary changes, workout adjustments, stress management, etc.)
- People who are open to utilizing multiple modalities - coaching, acupuncture, bodywork, lab work - to maximize their recovery
- Folks who think all of the above sounds great, but aren't quite ready to embark on making personal changes (and that's okay! I'm here when you're ready)
- People who want to say they've tried but who, at their core, don't want to change
- People who expect coaching, acupuncture or functional medicine to "fix" them without participating fully in the process
- People who anticipate 100% improvement after one (or two, or three) treatments, especially if the health issue(s) in question is chronic, long-standing, or multifaceted
What happens if i need to cancel a session?
If a session is cancelled more than 48 hours ahead of time, no charge will apply in this situation. If an appointment is cancelled with less than 48 hours notice, or if the client fails to show or cancels on the day of the appointment, the cancellation fee equal to the full cost of the visit will apply and the client and will be required to schedule at a new appointment.
While it’s understood that everyone has contingencies in their lives, from unexpected business meetings to exams to flight delays, the office is unable to absorb the lost clinical time resulting from such eventualities.
Extreme Weather Conditions: For in person sessions, Dr. Collins reserves the right to close the office due to extreme weather for the safety of all individuals. In these cases, you will be notified either the day before or the morning of your appointment. If the office is open but you have concerns about driving conditions, please contact the office to speak with the office staff directly at (401) 519-5190.
While it’s understood that everyone has contingencies in their lives, from unexpected business meetings to exams to flight delays, the office is unable to absorb the lost clinical time resulting from such eventualities.
Extreme Weather Conditions: For in person sessions, Dr. Collins reserves the right to close the office due to extreme weather for the safety of all individuals. In these cases, you will be notified either the day before or the morning of your appointment. If the office is open but you have concerns about driving conditions, please contact the office to speak with the office staff directly at (401) 519-5190.
Are you accepting new clients?
Yes, the office is currently accepting coaching, acupuncture, and psychedelic coaching clients.
Do you take insurance?
The office accepts insurance for acupuncture, and we are in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Tufts, Harvard Pilgrim, and Veterans Affairs. We also accept HSA and FSA cards.
Collaborative Coaching, Psychedelic Coaching, bodywork, and adjunctive treatments such as cupping and gua sha, are not covered by insurance.
Collaborative Coaching, Psychedelic Coaching, bodywork, and adjunctive treatments such as cupping and gua sha, are not covered by insurance.
WHy is there a charge for a coaching clarity call?
Our coaching clarity call will be a full 50-minute session. Most clarity/discovery calls with other professionals are 10 - 20 minutes long. It's a brief period to ask some questions, but it's often not enough time to get to know one another. Coaching is built on trust, and it's hard to know if we can trust each other after only 15 minutes. A full, introductory coaching session gives us both a lot more information about one another. It gives you as a client an idea of what it's like to work with me, and it gives me time to evaluate your unique circumstances and get clear on if I'm the right fit for you or if another provider or modality might be better suited to you.
Why is there a different fee schedule for individual vs. couples coaching?
Couples work requires a very different skillset from Individual coaching. Couples sessions are not run the same way that Individual sessions are addressed, and as such, couples sessions are booked and charged as their own service.