Yes! Dr. Alwani is currently accepting new clients for perinatal couples therapy, couples therapy, and individual therapy for perinatal clients. Unfortunately, outside of these populations, her availability is extremely limited. The first step is a complimentary 15-minute consultation, where you can learn about her approach and ask any questions you may have. If it seems like a match, Dr. Alwani will provide next steps for completing the intake process and scheduling the first session.

At Gentle Illuminations, I offer a warm, supportive space for adult women and couples, whether in-person or through telehealth. I specialize in helping women through some of life's most challenging and tender moments, such as miscarriage, pregnancy loss, infertility, postpartum depression and anxiety, and the stress of caregiving. I also provide support to healthcare professionals and other mental health providers. Additionally, if you're navigating relationship dynamics or seeking support to reconnect with yourself, I’m here to walk alongside you with compassion and understanding.

I hope to greet clients with a gentle, curious approach, where we can explore what’s going on. While I don't provide emergency or on-call services, if your needs involve active suicidality, substance use, or other urgent concerns, we’ll explore appropriate referrals and resources to ensure you receive the support you deserve.

Dr. Alwani is largely an out-of-network provider, however, she is in-network with Aetna in Virginia until 6/1/25. After 6/1/25, Gentle Illuminations Therapy will be a fully out-of-network practice.

See the Gentle Illuminations Guide to Out-of-Network Reimbursement here. The cost of therapy is an important consideration, and I strive to be transparent about the cost of services at my full fee. Currently, I am considered an out-of-network provider with most insurance plans, but I provide superbills (detailed receipts) that you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. I partner with Thrizer to help clients get an estimate for out-of-network benefits they may have during our free initial phone consultation, and to facilitate easier reimbursement (learn more). Clients often find that they can get a significant percentage of the cost for out-of-network services reimbursed through their insurance provider.

At Gentle Illuminations Therapy, we understand that financial barriers can make accessing quality mental health care difficult. To help make therapy more accessible, we offer sliding scale fees based on a client's stated ability to pay. Please note that Tier 3 sliding scale spots are limited and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. If a fee reduction would enhance your ability to engage in therapy services, we encourage you to inquire about sliding scale availability during a complimentary consultation or by completing the contact form linked at the bottom of this page.

We use Alexis J. Cunningfolk’s Green Bottle method for sliding scale services, and offer three tiers of fees:

• Tier 1: Full fee

• Tier 2: 10% reduction in the cost of services

• Tier 3: 20% reduction in the cost of services (Note: Tier 3 slots are limited)

This sliding scale is trust-based and allows clients to self-select the tier that best reflects their financial situation. So long as a slot is available for Tier 3 pricing, Gentle Illuminations Therapy will honor a client’s self-selected pricing tier, no questions asked. The Green Bottle method is based on guidelines that emphasize a client’s self-determined ability to pay. For more information on the Green Bottle method, please visit this blog post.

We understand that, even with a fee reduction, therapy may still be inaccessible for some folks. In these cases, we offer additional options, such as bi-weekly sessions when clinically appropriate, and for couples, shorter session lengths (e.g., 55 minutes vs. 75 or 90 minutes) as well, lowering the initial cost of sessions prior to the application of sliding scale pricing (e.g., $250 vs $300 for a 75-minute appointment).

If cost remains a barrier, we recommend that eligible clients consider applying for financial assistance through organizations like the Loveland Foundation or Shelane’s Fund through Postpartum Support Virginia. Additionally, you may want to explore this list of local options for sliding scale therapy providers as well as resources such as Open Path Collective. If you have insurance, another option is to seek out an in-network provider through directories like Psychology Today, Grow Therapy, Headway, and Alma. Finally, organizations such as Postpartum Support Virginia also offer free resources such as these support groups in English and Spanish.

I’m currently licensed to provide in person and virtual clinical services in the state of Virginia (verify here), and am authorized to provide virtual services in 42 participating PSYPACT states and Washington DC (see which states participate here).

While I am a bilingual provider, and am fluent in Arabic and able to communicate effectively, I currently only offer psychotherapy in English to ensure the highest level of care. I am actively working on developing infrastructure within Gentle Illuminations to be able to offer psychotherapy services in Arabic in the future. You may want to consider the following resources:

• Arab Therapy - an accessible and culturally aware option for Arabic-speaking individuals seeking therapy.

• Psychology Today - a directory where you can filter for providers by languages they may speak including Arabic.

At Gentle Illuminations Therapy, we believe it is important for clients to feel seen, heard, and understood. For those seeking a therapist who shares or is attuned to their specific identity, we want to provide helpful resources to guide you in finding the right clinician. Below are some curated resources for clients looking for therapists who have particular lived experiences, whether religious/spiritual, ethnic/racial, or another salient identity.

• Muslim Clinicians:
  If you're seeking a clinician who understands the cultural and religious aspects of being Muslim, here are some great resources:

  • DMV Muslim Counselors

  • Maristan

  • Institute for Muslim Mental Health – Find a Therapist: 1 – 800 – 273 – TALK (8255)

• Other Resources:

  • Arab Therapy - an accessible and culturally aware option for Arabic-speaking individuals seeking therapy.

  • South Asian Therapists - A resource to find South Asian providers near you.

  • Therapy for Black Girls - A resource to find Black women therapists who are attuned to the needs of the Black community.

  • Inclusive Therapists - A platform that helps you find culturally competent therapists from diverse backgrounds.

  • Open Path Collective - Offers affordable therapy for individuals who need it, with a wide range of therapists.

  • Grow Therapy - A directory of therapists offering affordable care with a variety of specializations.

We hope these resources help you find a therapist who is a good fit for your needs. Your mental health journey is important, and it can take time to find the care that aligns with your identity and values. Please note that sharing these resources does not constitute a professional endorsement, as Gentle Illuminations Therapy is offering these resources for informational purposes only.

Looking to Grow Your Practice?

Starting and growing a practice can be overwhelming. Below are some of my favorite services that I personally use and recommend to help make practice management, client communication, and billing easier. These platforms have been helpful to me, and I hope exploring them is beneficial to you.

If you’re just getting started, don’t hesitate to reach out—I’d love to connect and offer support. Also, if you are interested, reach out for a link to receive your first 6 months free on Psychology Today’s directory to help you get started with more visibility for your practice.

Recommended Services for My Practice (Affiliate Links):

1. Thrizer
   A platform to streamline your practice’s growth and make billing more accessible for clients. Thrizer helps cover the difference between a clinician's full fee and the client's reimbursement rate for OON billing and self-pay.
   Sign up for Thrizer

2. SimplePractice
   An all-in-one practice management software for health and wellness professionals.
   Sign up for SimplePractice

3. Spruce
   A secure messaging platform for healthcare providers that automates replies and streamlines communication with clients.
   Sign up for Spruce

4. Headway
   A network connecting mental health professionals to insurance clients.
   Join Headway

5. Paubox
   A secure email service for healthcare providers to send HIPAA-compliant emails.
   Sign up for Paubox

Under the No Surprises Act, I am required to provide a Good Faith Estimate (GFE) upon request for services if charges are expected to be $400 or greater. This estimate will include a clear breakdown of anticipated costs, helping you make informed decisions and protecting you from unexpected medical bills.

Your privacy and the security of your personal health information (PHI) are of utmost importance to me. I am committed to safeguarding your data in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). However, please note that while I take extensive measures to protect your information, I cannot guarantee absolute protection against all risks, especially those that may arise from third-party platforms or services outside of my control.

How Your Information is Protected:

• Encrypted Communication: I use Paubox for secure email communication to ensure the confidentiality of your sensitive information.

• Google Workspace: A signed Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with Google Workspace ensures that any email or cloud-based storage and sharing of your health information is HIPAA-compliant.

• HIPAA-Compliant Phone and Text: I utilize a HIPAA-compliant phone line for secure phone calls and text messaging, maintaining privacy during our communications.

• Electronic Health Records (EHR): Your health data is stored in a HIPAA-compliant EHR system, ensuring that it is encrypted and securely stored.

• Telehealth Technology: I use HIPAA-compliant telehealth platforms for virtual sessions, ensuring the confidentiality of your data during online consultations.

• Billing: All billing is processed using HIPAA-compliant platforms to maintain the privacy of your financial and health information.

Third-Party Services and Data Collection:

While I take every precaution to secure your data, certain third-party services, such as Squarespace (my website platform), may use cookies or trackers to gather data for analytical, marketing, or operational purposes. I do not have control over the collection of data by these third-party platforms. These third parties may collect non-personally identifiable information, including browsing patterns and site usage, to enhance the user experience.

Please note that:

• Cookies and Trackers: Your interaction with my website may be subject to cookies and other tracking technologies that Squarespace or other third-party services may use for functionality and analytics. By using this website, you consent to the use of these cookies unless you opt out through your browser settings.

• Third-Party Platforms: Services such as Google Analytics or payment processors may have access to certain non-sensitive data, but they are not provided with your PHI unless necessary for services like billing or communication.

Limitations of Protection:

Although I implement extensive safeguards to protect your information, I cannot fully control risks associated with third-party services or platforms outside of my direct operation. I recommend reviewing the privacy policies of third-party platforms, including Squarespace, to understand how your data may be handled.

Your Rights:

You have the right to access, review, and request corrections to your health information. I will only use or disclose your information as necessary for your treatment, payment, and healthcare operations, and will never share your PHI without your consent unless required by law.

Questions or Concerns:

If you have any questions regarding my privacy practices, how your information is protected, or the use of third-party services on this website, please contact me directly.