“growth does not occur in the comfort zone"
Jocko Willink
services & RATES
A SPECIAL NOTE TO FIRST RESPONDERS, MILITARY, AND HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
If you’re military, a first responder, or work in healthcare, you’re used to carrying a lot and pushing through when things are hard. Counseling at Return to Baseline, LLC comes from an understanding of that world and focuses on how sustained stress and trauma show up in the mind and body—supporting a return to steadiness, clarity, and sustainable performance.
-
Counseling & Consultation Services
Wauwatosa, WI | Telehealth Available
Confidential, structured support for real-life demands
You don’t have to be in crisis to benefit from support.
Many people we work with are managing ongoing stress, competing demands, and the responsibility of keeping things moving—without much space to reset.
What We Provide
Return to Baseline offers counseling and professional consultation for individuals navigating stress, life demands, and the responsibilities they carry—at work, at home, or both.
Support is focused, practical, and designed to help you move forward with clarity, stability, and direction.
Counseling
A structured, clinical approach to addressing stress, mental health concerns, and life challenges.
This work focuses on helping you:
understand what’s contributing to stress or difficulty
develop practical strategies to manage it
improve focus, emotional regulation, and daily functioning
navigate transitions, relationships, and ongoing demands
Care begins with a comprehensive evaluation and is tailored to support meaningful, sustainable progress.
Professional Consultation
A focused, non-therapy option for individuals seeking structured guidance and problem-solving support.
This may be a good fit if you are looking to:
work through specific challenges or decisions
improve performance, focus, or organization
manage stress and prevent burnout
gain perspective in a structured, efficient format
Consultation is direct, goal-oriented, and designed to provide clarity without unnecessary complexity.
Services are typically brief (1–4 sessions) and do not involve diagnosis or clinical treatment.Who We Work With
We work with adults managing significant responsibility—at work, at home, or both.
Many are balancing demanding careers, family responsibilities, and ongoing pressure to perform and stay on track.
This includes professionals, parents, and individuals navigating daily stress, as well as those in service-oriented roles such as:
military members, veterans, and families
first responders
healthcare and behavioral health professionals
educators and organizational leaders
How Services Are Provided
In-Person (By Appointment Only)
Wauwatosa, WISecure Telehealth
Available in WI, TX, FL, VA, and NCWalk-and-Talk Sessions
Seasonal availability in the Milwaukee areaServices are provided by Nikki Espil, LCSW, BCD, with nearly 20 years of experience in behavioral health and consultation.
Fees
Services are private-pay and designed to provide focused, professional support without unnecessary complexity.
Payment is due at the time of service. HSA/FSA accepted.
Introductory Consultation (15 minutes)
ComplimentaryInitial Evaluation
$215Initial Evaluation + 30-Minute Session
$27530-Minute Session
$10060-Minute Session
$18590-Minute Session
$250Crisis debriefing and psychological first aid are available. Please call for rates.
Ready to Begin
If you’re ready to move forward—or unsure where to start—we can help you determine the best approach.
Schedule a confidential consultation and take the next step toward clarity, focus, and balance.
-
Walk & Talk Therapy – Return to Baseline, LLC
Walk & Talk Therapy is a results-oriented, movement-based alternative to traditional counseling. By taking sessions outdoors, clients benefit from fresh air, gentle activity, and focused conversation—a combination shown to support emotional regulation, clarity, and resilience.
High-stress roles—whether in the military, first responder work, healthcare, or leadership—often mean chronic activation of the body’s stress response. Over time, this can affect focus, mood, and overall wellbeing. Walk & Talk Therapy provides a unique opportunity to reconnect with nature and become attuned to the body’s signals, helping clients notice tension, release stress, and restore equilibrium.
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 and beliefs are welcome. Designed for high-responsibility professionals, this approach integrates mind and body to help you process stress, maintain clarity, and reconnect with purpose.
Why Nature Supports Mental Performance
Calms the Nervous System
Time outdoors lowers cortisol, helping you feel centered and grounded.Enhances Awareness and Perspective
Natural settings encourage mindfulness, reduce overwhelm, and increase attunement to your body and mind—especially important for those in high-stress roles.Movement Boosts Mood and Focus
Walking releases endorphins and energy, while pairing physical activity with guided conversation deepens insight and emotional regulation.
Session Details
Rates: Same as standard counseling sessions
Location: Milwaukee, WI area
Weather: Sessions may be rescheduled for inclement conditions
Travel: A surcharge may apply depending on location
Consent: A separate Walk & Talk Therapy consent form is required
Ready to Schedule?
Scroll below to get started and experience a grounded, performance-oriented approach to therapy—outside the office, in motion, and in tune with your body and environment.
-
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.
-
Accepted Payment Options
Private Pay (Self-Pay)
The most flexible option for care. Payment is due at the time of service and can be completed through our secure client portal. During an initial consultation, we are happy to review your goals and discuss whether private pay or insurance is the best fit for your needs.Credit / Debit Cards
Accepted through our secure client portal.HSA / FSA Cards
Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts are accepted when applicable.UnitedHealthcare Insurance
Accepted on a limited basis in WI, TX, FL, VA, and NC.
Clients are responsible for confirming that Nicole Espil, LCSW is in-network for their specific plan.👉 Verify UnitedHealthcare coverage
Out-of-Network Benefits
If we are not in-network with your plan, we can provide documentation upon request to support out-of-network reimbursement, subject to your insurer’s policies.Questions About Payment?
If you have questions or would like help understanding your options, please reach out—we’re happy to help clarify next steps.
-
1. Enhanced Privacy & Confidentiality
Private pay means no third-party access to your records or treatment details.
→ Your sessions remain fully confidential, reserved only for you and your therapist.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.