Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• When should I seek therapy?
• What should I expect in therapy?
• How long is each session?
• How many sessions will I/we need to solve our problem?
• What is the cost?
• Is therapy covered by insurance?

 Everyone goes through difficult times in life, and often we get stuck in dysfunctional behavioral patterns or interactions. We unconsciously continue the same unhealthy life habits until we feel overwhelmed by a crisis. Therapy can be a valuable resource for support and to help you learn new healthy patterns of living and communicating. Some signs and symptoms that indicate therapy may be helpful for you include:

• Persistent feeling of sadness, anxiety, withdrawal, or anger
• Problems with relationships, personal or professional
• Constant fighting and tension at home
• Teenager engaging in self-destructive behavior, such as cutting, using drugs or alcohol, sexually acting out, truancy at school and defiance
• Feeling powerless as a parent
• Difficulty sleeping, or excessive nightmares

Effective therapy is a confidential collaborative process between the clinician and client. Your first few sessions will focus on assessment. Without judgment or criticism, I’ll ask you to tell me about your history, feelings, and problems. We will work together to form clear goals for your life, and a specific treatment plan for each session. Then we will work on achieving your goals. You can expect the focus of our time together to be on helping you regain a sense of control, peace, and clarity in your life, and in the lives of your family members. 

Each session is 50 minutes. To create changes quickly, I generally recommend clients attend weekly sessions. However, depending on your personal needs, we may decide to change the length or timing of sessions so you have the best chances for a successful outcome 

Each individual, family, and couple has a unique set of needs and problems. We will discuss these as we determine together the length of therapy most appropriate for you. Some clients prefer short-term therapy and others desire longer term therapy. I often recommend a ten session commitment to create lasting changes.

After the completion of therapy, many clients come back periodically through the years when a problem arises or for a “tune-up.” Remember, my goal is to help you reach your goals. To that end, we will customize the process as necessary for you to succeed.

Fee is based on a 50 minute session. I will try to provide you with the best possible services, at the most reasonable cost. I’m open to considering reasonable accommodations for clients with financial hardships. To the extent possible, we won’t let monetary considerations get in the way of your progress. The fee will be discussed at the initial phone contact 

I am an out-of -network provider for all insurance plans. I can provide

you with a Health Insurance Claim Form for you to get directly reimbursed

by the insurance company. If you have PPO insurance, companies often reimburse 60% to 80% for out-of-network providers. However, each situation is different. Therefore, I recommend you call your insurance company to find out your specific coverage. 

Here are some questions to help you with this process when you talk with your insurance company:

• Do I have a HMO or PPO for my mental health benefits?
• Do I have a deductible?
• If I have a PPO, what percentage of the fee is covered for out-of-network providers?
• Is a primary care physican’s approval required for mental health services?