Frequently asked questions

Do you meet in person or online?

Both. Sessions are available in person at the Knoxville office on Lovell Center Drive, or by telehealth anywhere in Tennessee and Michigan. Whitney Petree sees clients in person in Knoxville and by telehealth in both states. Tiffany Peters works entirely by telehealth across Michigan.

I live in Michigan. Can I still work with you?

Yes, and you do not need to travel to Knoxville. Tiffany Peters is a Licensed Master Social Worker practicing by telehealth across Michigan, and Whitney also sees Michigan clients by telehealth.

Do you take insurance?

Whitney accepts private pay and is in network with Aetna, Cigna and Optum. Coverage can differ between plans from the same company, so it is worth asking about your particular plan when you get in touch — and asking about Tiffany’s current payment options at the same time if you are in Michigan.

Is there a sliding scale?

Sliding scale options may be available. Whether there is room depends on the current caseload, so the honest answer is to ask when you first reach out rather than assume it either way.

Will I know what therapy costs before I schedule?

Yes. If you are not billing insurance, you have a right under federal law to a Good Faith Estimate of what your care is expected to cost, in writing, before you schedule it. The full notice and your rights are published here.

What do you help with?

Four areas have pages of their own: trauma therapy, anxiety therapy, identity and life transitions, and domestic violence and relational trauma support. Alongside those, Whitney works in trauma-informed, attachment-based, CBT, DBT, psychodynamic and parts-work approaches, and Tiffany works with veterans and military families, PTSD, traumatic brain injury and cognitive recovery, and children and adolescents.

What does somatic or body-aware therapy actually mean?

It means paying attention to what your body is doing alongside what your mind is saying, and treating both as real information. Grounding, breath and physical sensation are not add-ons to the real work; for many people they are where the work happens, particularly with trauma or long-running anxiety. There is a longer explanation in this piece on nervous system regulation.

Is what I share confidential?

Your health information is protected. The practice’s Notice of Privacy Practices sets out exactly how it can be used, who it may be shared with, and the limited circumstances in which the law requires disclosure. It is worth reading before a first session, and it is available here.

How do I get started?

Fill in the form on the home page with your contact details, or text (865) 315-7712, and someone from Elevated Perceptions will get back to you. Existing clients can sign in through the SP Client Portal.