Counseling & Professional Consultation

Sessions range from $100–$250. A complimentary 15-minute consultation is available to help determine the best fit.

Fees

• 15-minute introductory consultation: Complimentary

• Initial evaluation: $215

• Initial evaluation + 30-minute session: $275

• 30-minute session: $100

• 60-minute session: $185

• 90-minute session: $250

Service Options

Counseling provides clinical support for stress, anxiety, burnout, trauma, relationships, life transitions, and other mental health concerns.

Professional consultation provides short-term, non-therapy guidance for specific decisions, challenges, performance concerns, stress management, or burnout prevention. Consultation is typically completed in one to four sessions and does not include diagnosis or clinical treatment.

Walk & Talk Therapy is also available seasonally at select Milwaukee County parks for both counseling and professional consultation. Walk & Talk services are private pay only.

See our Walk & Talk Therapy page for additional details.

Where We Meet

• In person: Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

• Virtual: Wisconsin, Texas, Florida, Virginia, and North Carolina

• Walk & Talk: Select Milwaukee County parks

Payment Options

• Private pay

• UnitedHealthcare, Optum, and UMR for eligible counseling services

• Lyra Health EAP

• Military OneSource

Coverage varies by plan or program. Professional consultation and Walk & Talk services are private pay only. HSA and FSA payments are accepted.

SCHEDULE A FREE 15-MINUTE CONSULTATION

Inspired by Nature

Inspired by Nikki’s deep connection to nature, Walk & Talk Therapy offers a grounded, holistic setting where reflection and insight are amplified. Clients of all backgrounds, identities, and beliefs are welcome.

Designed for people managing significant responsibility, this approach brings movement, environment, and focused conversation together to help you process stress, maintain clarity, and reconnect with purpose.

Private-pay counseling and professional consultation offered outdoors at select Milwaukee County parks. Sessions range from $100–$250.

Fees

• 30-minute session: $100

• 60-minute session: $185

• 90-minute session: $250

Walk & Talk services are private pay only and may be used for counseling or professional consultation. HSA and FSA payments are accepted when eligible.

GET OUT OF THE OFFICE. STEP AWAY FROM THE SCREEN. EXPERIENCE A DIFFERENT KIND OF SUPPORT—ONE THAT MOVES WITH YOU.

Top 10 Reasons to Try Walk & Talk

1. EXPERIENCE MILWAUKEE’S “EMERALD NECKLACE”

Enjoy the beauty of the Milwaukee County Parks system, shaped by Charles Whitnall’s historic “Emerald Necklace” parkway plan. Our parks offer a unique setting to step away from daily demands while remaining close to home.

2. GET AWAY FROM THE SCREEN

For people who spend much of the day in offices, meetings, vehicles, or in front of computers, an outdoor session provides a welcome change of environment.

3. PUT YOUR ENERGY IN MOTION

Walking offers a productive outlet for physical and mental energy while supporting focused conversation.

4. CREATE SPACE TO RESET

Stepping away from your usual surroundings can provide valuable separation from work, household demands, and everyday distractions.

5. GAIN A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

A change in setting can make it easier to approach challenges, decisions, and familiar thought patterns from a new angle.

6. MAKE CONVERSATION FEEL MORE NATURAL

Some people feel more comfortable talking while walking side by side than while sitting face to face in a traditional office.

7. STRENGTHEN MIND–BODY AWARENESS

Movement can help you become more aware of breathing, tension, energy, and other physical signals connected to stress and emotional experiences.

8. SUPPORT CLARITY AND FOCUS

The combination of gentle movement, natural surroundings, and purposeful conversation can create a supportive environment for reflection and problem-solving.

9. CHOOSE COUNSELING OR CONSULTATION

Walk & Talk is available for clinical counseling as well as short-term professional consultation, depending on your goals and needs.

10. EXPERIENCE CARE DIFFERENTLY

Walk & Talk offers a distinctive alternative for people seeking focused, individualized support outside a traditional clinical environment.

Session Details

• Services: Counseling or professional consultation

• Location: Select parks in Milwaukee County

• Availability: Seasonal and weather dependent

• Weather: Sessions may be rescheduled or moved to another approved format when conditions are unsuitable

• Travel: An additional charge may apply for locations outside the standard service area

• Consent: A separate Walk & Talk Therapy consent form is required

• Payment: Private pay only

Ready to Get Moving?

Schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation to determine whether Walk & Talk is a good fit for you.

SCHEDULE A FREE 15-MINUTE CONSULTATION https://www.returntobaselinellc.com/contact

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) provide short-term, confidential support for individuals navigating stress related to work, relationships, or life circumstances.

Many people use EAP services to address:

• work-related stress or burnout

• relationship or family concerns

• life transitions or unexpected challenges

• general stress, focus, or well-being

EAP services are typically provided at no cost through your employer and are designed to offer timely, practical support.

Return to Baseline, LLC is proud to partner with Lyra Health as an EAP provider.

If your employer offers Lyra Health benefits, you may be eligible for a limited number of sessions at no cost. Check here to see if your employer particiaptes: https://care.lyrahealth.com/

Non-Medical Counseling

Eligible service members and family members may receive free, confidential, short-term counseling for concerns such as stress, relationships, parenting, grief, deployment transitions, communication, and decision-making.

Military OneSource may authorize up to 12 sessions per issue. Return to Baseline offers authorized sessions in person or virtually.

Current Wisconsin Army National Guard Members

Return to Baseline may be able to provide services to current Wisconsin Army National Guard members; however, some restrictions apply due to Nikki’s professional roles. Please contact Return to Baseline before requesting an authorization from Military OneSource so eligibility and any potential conflicts can be discussed.

How to Get Started

1. Contact Return to Baseline to confirm that services can be provided.

2. If appropriate, contact Military OneSource to confirm eligibility and request authorization:

   • Call: 800-342-9647

   • Online: Visit MilitaryOneSource.mil

3. Ask whether Return to Baseline, LLC is available as your selected provider.

VISIT MILITARY ONESOURCE https://www.militaryonesource.mil/benefits/confidential-counseling/

Forms of Payment & Insurance

Options at a Glance

Return to Baseline accepts:

• Private pay

• Cash for in-person private-pay appointments, deductibles, and co-insurance

• Credit and debit cards

• HSA and FSA cards, when applicable

• UnitedHealthcare insurance

• Optum insurance

• UMR insurance

• Lyra Health EAP benefits

• Military OneSource Non-Medical Counseling

• Out-of-network benefits, when available through the client’s plan

Personal checks are not accepted.

Private Pay

Private pay offers the greatest flexibility and access to the full range of available counseling and consultation options. Services can be tailored according to your goals and clinical needs without being limited by an insurance plan’s requirements regarding diagnosis, medical necessity, service type, session length, or frequency.

Private pay is required for:

• Professional consultation

• Walk & Talk counseling and consultation

• Services not covered by an insurance plan or sponsored program

Payment is due at the time of service and may be completed through the secure client portal. Cash is also accepted for in-person private-pay appointments.

Credit and Debit Cards

Credit and debit cards are accepted through the secure client portal.

HSA and FSA Cards

Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account cards are accepted when applicable. If a card does not go through, as has been the case with Milwaukee County employees, you must pay up-front and I will provide a superbill for you to submit for reimbursement.

Insurance

Return to Baseline accepts the following insurance on a limited basis:

• UnitedHealthcare

• Optum

• UMR

Insurance may reduce out-of-pocket costs; however, coverage is more restrictive than private pay. Insurance plans generally require a covered mental health diagnosis, documentation of medical necessity, and compliance with plan-specific requirements. A plan may also limit which services, formats, session lengths, or frequencies are covered.

Please contact Return to Baseline to discuss whether private pay or insurance is the best fit for the services you are seeking.

Insurance participation and benefits vary by plan and location. Clients are responsible for confirming that Nicole Espil, LCSW is in network for their specific plan.

Lyra Health EAP

Eligible employees and family members may receive counseling through their employer’s Lyra Health benefit. Eligibility and the number of available sessions are determined by the employer’s plan.

Military OneSource

Eligible service members and family members may receive free, confidential, short-term Non-Medical Counseling through Military OneSource. Authorization is required before services begin.

Additional eligibility and authorization information is available in the Military OneSource section of this page.

Out-of-Network Benefits

If Return to Baseline is not in network with your plan, documentation may be provided upon request to support possible out-of-network reimbursement. Reimbursement is determined by your insurance plan and is not guaranteed.

Questions About Payment?

Contact us if you have questions about payment, insurance, or which option may best fit your needs. We are happy to help clarify the next steps.

1. Enhanced Privacy & Confidentiality

Private pay generally allows greater privacy by avoiding routine claim submission to a health insurer. Confidentiality remains subject to applicable legal and ethical requirements, which will be reviewed before services begin.

2. Support Without a Diagnosis

Insurance often requires a formal mental health diagnosis to approve coverage.
→ With private pay, you can receive guidance and support without needing to meet diagnostic criteria—because your growth and wellbeing are the priority.

3. Choose the Right Therapist for You

Insurance networks can limit your options and speed of access.
→ Private pay allows you to select a therapist based on expertise, experience, and fit—often with faster availability.

4. Flexible, Client-Directed Care

Insurance may restrict session length, pace, or treatment approach.
→ With private pay, you and your therapist decide the focus, format, and rhythm that best supports your goals and responsibilities.

5. Transparent, Predictable Investment

No surprise bills, claim denials, or hidden fees.
→ Return to Baseline provides a Good Faith Estimate, so your investment is clear, intentional, and strategic.

Payment at Time of Service

All services are paid in full at the time of your session unless a prior written agreement is made. Payments are processed securely through our client portal, keeping the process simple, confidential, and seamless.

Using Out-of-Network Insurance Benefits

GREAT NEWS!! If your insurance plan includes out-of-network (OON) mental health benefits, you may be eligible for partial reimbursement. OON benefits can save you big bucks on your therapy and wellness investment with Return to Baseline, LLC. Please note, you are responsible for this benefit, Return to Baseline, LLC does not interact with the insurance companies.

We will provide a superbill (an itemized receipt with required codes and details) for you to submit to your insurance provider. We can also help answer generic questions about insurance and help teach you how to advocate for this benefit.

Ask your insurance company:

• Do I have out-of-network coverage for outpatient mental health services?

• How do I submit a claim for out-of-network reimbursement?

• Is there a deductible I must meet first?

• What is the reimbursement rate for the following CPT codes?

• Are there limits to the number of sessions?

Common CPT Codes:

• 90791 – Psychiatric Diagnostic Evaluation

• 90832 – Psychotherapy, 30 minutes (16–37 minutes)

• 90834 – Psychotherapy, 45 minutes (38–52 minutes)

• 90837 – Psychotherapy, 60 minutes (53+ minutes) *** Most common service we offer.

Consultations, supervision, and classes are not eligible for insurance reimbursement or FSA/HSA use — these services are paid directly through our secure client portal.

FSA & HSA Payments Accepted

Therapy (counseling) with Return to Baseline, LLC is recognized as a qualified medical expense. Clients may use Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) or Health Savings Accounts (HSA) to pay for therapy sessions, making it easier to invest in your mental health and wellbeing.

Please note: Consultations, supervision, and classes are not eligible for insurance reimbursement or FSA/HSA use and are billed directly through our secure client portal.

Using FSA or HSA funds is a convenient way to prioritize your mental health while maintaining flexibility and privacy in how you access care.

Miscellaneous Fees & Surcharges

To maintain high-quality, flexible, and personalized care, certain fees apply. These are transparent, fair, and ensure that all clients receive the attention and availability they deserve.

No-Show / Late Cancellation Policy

• 48-hour notice is required for cancellations.

• $125 fee applies for late cancellations or no-shows.

• One-time emergency excusal may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

• Three missed sessions in 90 days may result in removal from the practice to preserve availability for active clients.

These policies ensure that your time and your therapist’s time are respected, while maintaining the quality and reliability of services for all clients.

Travel Rate Surcharges

To support flexible, on-location sessions, travel-related fees may apply:

• $1.25 per mile (round trip), calculated from ZIP code 53220

• Clients are responsible for parking fees or tolls

• Travel fees may be renegotiated in cases of heavy traffic or significant delays

Why we charge:
Travel fees cover fuel, time, and vehicle wear, allowing us to provide mobile services without compromising care quality or availability.

Administrative Services Fee

For tasks completed outside of therapy sessions, including:

• Writing letters (employers, schools, legal matters)

• Completing forms (FMLA, disability, insurance)

• Creating personalized reports, presentations, or clinical documents

Rate: $30 per 15 minutes (billed in 15-minute increments)

Why we charge:
These tasks require clinical expertise, attention to detail, and often must meet legal or professional standards. The fee reflects the time, skill, and care required to provide personalized, high-quality support beyond your sessions.

We appreciate your understanding—these policies allow us to maintain the highest level of care and availability for all clients.