Question 1

What should I expect in therapy?

Accepted Answer

Each therapist is a little different. I take a collaborative, active, and conversational approach. I emphasize the importance of a strong therapy relationship, and I will regularly check in with you to make sure you are getting what you are looking for.

Question 2

What should I expect in the first session?

Accepted Answer

Before your first visit, you’ll receive a welcome email confirming the day and time of your appointment. The email will also include directions on how to find my office and a link to the important forms you will need to fill out before the appointment.

In the first appointment, we will review the intake paperwork, discuss confidentiality, and go over scheduling and payment. Once the housekeeping tasks are taken care of, we will get to the important part: why you are coming in to therapy.

I will ask lots of questions and listen as you share what brings in you in and what you want to get out of therapy.  We will start to develop our therapy relationship and we will start to develop goals for your treatment.

Question 3

How long does therapy take?

Accepted Answer

There is no way to say beforehand how long therapy will take. Each person and each problem is different. In general, the longer you’ve struggled with something, the longer it will take to change the way you think and act in order to overcome it.
Therapy also depends on your own motivation or willingness to do sometimes difficult work on yourself.

Question 4

Do you take Insurance?

Accepted Answer

I am an out-of-network provider. This means that I am not on any insurance panels and do not deal with them directly. However, many clients choose to receive a monthly superbill they can directly submit to their insurance companies for out-of-network reimbursements. Depending on your insurance provider, you may be reimbursed in part or in full and the timing of the reimbursement is dependent on your provider.

You are responsible for knowing the terms of your policy and for keeping track of the extent of your coverage. To check your benefits, I recommend that you call your insurance company. Some helpful questions can include:
What are my mental health or behavioral health benefits?
How much does my plan cover for an out-of-network provider?
What is my out-of-network deductible?
Is approval required from my primary care physician?

Question 5

Why do you not accept insurance?

Accepted Answer

Through my experience, I have found that working directly with insurance companies can negatively impact the treatment process. Therapy should be a safe, secure, and private place for individuals and working with insurance companies decreases confidentiality. This is because insurance companies require that treating clinicians disclose diagnoses and at times, treatment progress. This may negatively impact an individual later in life as the diagnosis is permanently on their records. Additionally, insurance companies often place limits on the amount of sessions they are willing to reimburse despite them not knowing or understanding the nuances of psychotherapy and what is actually needed for the individual to thrive and grow.

Question 6

What does it cost?

Accepted Answer

Initial Session - 90 - 120 Minutes - $340
The first session is our Intake Session.  It involves a brief review of the paperwork and the opportunity to ask any questions. Then we will spend time on why you’re here, why now, and what you hope will be different in your life as a result. At the end of the session, I will ask you your thoughts about working together. Research shows that the relationship is 70% of what makes the process effective, so it’s important that you feel there’s a fit.

Individual Sessions - 55 Minutes - $250
After the Intake, I will want to find out more about what is going on for you in the present, what you would most like to see healed, and I will make a plan and give you skills to get you started on your journey. We will continue working on the plan or whatever might have come up for you since the last session that needs attending to. While I am structured in my work to ensure you maintain a sense of safety and direction, there is also plenty of space to dig deeper into your learning and the unexpected gifts of new realizations and opportunities.

Question 7

Will I be charged if I miss a session?

Accepted Answer

I require session cancellations be made at least 24 hours in advance. If less than 24-hours notice is given and because the appointment time is reserved for you, it is necessary to charge unless we agree that an emergency has occurred.
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When you make an appointment, you are getting exclusive access to my time and expertise that no one else will have for that period. Of course, I understand that sometimes things come up and you cannot make it, so my cancellation policy is designed to provide you some flexibility while also protecting my time. If you cancel an appointment 24 hours in advance, you will not be charged. If you cancel within 24 hours of the scheduled time, you will be responsible for the fee for that session.

Question 8

Confidentiality

Accepted Answer

Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and their therapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but the therapist's office. I provide a written copy of my confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone. This is called “Informed Consent”. Sometimes, however, you may want me to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (your Physician, Naturopath, Attorney), but by law I cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.

However, state law and professional ethics require all therapists to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations:

* Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders requires therapists to report to the authorities, including the Department of Children and Families and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources.
* If the therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threatened to harm another person.

Frequently Asked Questions