Question 1

Can therapy help me?

Accepted Answer

There are many reasons people seek therapy.  Some people may be struggling with anxious and depressive symptoms that are recurring throughout their life.  Others may be experiencing mental health struggles for the first time, or perhaps after a significant loss. People might seek therapy after expected or unexpected life transitions such a moving to a new city, divorce or ending of a relationship, career changes, becoming a parent and so forth. For others, therapy offers a judgement free space for personal growth, support, and feedback. Therapy is right for anyone interested in cultivating a life with more self-awareness and self-compassion, and having a better understanding of one’s own authentic needs and wants.

Question 2

What can I expect when I call to set up an appointment?

Accepted Answer

In order to help you decide if therapy with me is a good fit for you, I offer a complimentary phone consultation lasting approximately 15-20 minutes. This initial interaction will give you an opportunity to ask any questions you may have about how I practice and begin therapy.  In addition, I will help familiarize you with my office policies and procedures as well as fees and payment options.

Question 3

What will my first session be like?

Accepted Answer

Most people feel nervous or anxious meeting a therapist for the first time, and often struggle with the decision to make an initial appointment. This is completely normal and to be expected. But all you have to do is show up and be yourself. You can expect your first session, also known as an intake/assessment, to last 55-60 minutes. During this time we will get to know each other better and begin to develop goals for therapy. Prior to your appointment, you will be prompted to complete my new client information, consent, and HIPAA forms in a secure client portal.

Question 4

How long will therapy take?

Accepted Answer

After your intake/assessment, which 55-60 minutes, you can expect each session to last 50 -55 minutes. The number of sessions needed will differ for each person depending on the reason you are seeking services. Therapy can be short-term or open-ended in duration. The time spent in therapy will depend on the nature of your goals and your interest in delving into more complex therapeutic work.

Question 5

What are your fees and do you take insurance?

Accepted Answer

If you would like to utilize your out-of-network benefits, I can provide you with a superbill for you to submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement.  A superbill is like an invoice or receipt that outlines the psychotherapy services you received.  Please consider that reimbursement requires a diagnosis, and a superbill, just like any other paperwork submitted to insurance for reimbursement, requires a clinical diagnosis as classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10).

If you have out-of-network benefits and you are paying my full rate, you may be eligible for reimbursement, though you must determine this with your particular plan. Here are some questions to consider asking your insurance carrier before services begin:

1.  Do I have out-of-network (OON) mental health benefits (you can provide therapy codes 90791, 90834, and 90837) to make sure these services will be covered.   Do I have a deductible to meet first?

2. If you are eligible for reimbursement, you might want to ask what needs to be submitted, how long do you have to submit for reimbursement after services have been rendered, and what percentage of the cost (the fee for therapy) paid upfront will be covered.

Question 6

What if I need to cancel my appointment?

Accepted Answer

If you need to cancel or change your appointment, I ask for notification at least 24 hours in advance of your scheduled session start time.  You will be charged $75.00 for missed appointments and cancellations received less than 24 hours in advance.

Question 7

Is therapy confidential?

Accepted Answer

Generally, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and therapist. However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule.
 
Exceptions include:
1. Suspected child abuse, dependent adult, or elder abuse. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
 
2. If a client intends to hurt themselves or others, the therapist is required to put a plan in place to keep all parties safe. This plan might entail a breach of confidentiality.