The following are the most frequently asked questions about sessions with me:
What populations do you work with?
I provide counseling to adults, seniors, and adolescents. I treat a variety of concerns, and you can find many of them listed on my Services page. If you don’t see what you are looking for, feel free to reach out and ask – I may be able to help or may refer you to a trusted colleague.
What will we talk about during my consultation?
We will discuss what you want from therapy and I will tell you more about my approach. Also, we will compare schedules and make sure we can agree on a convenient appointment time for you. Ask me any questions you like during the consultation.
What will my first session be like?
It is normal to feel nervous about your first few sessions. During your first session, I’ll ask you questions about your past experiences and current stress. We will work together to make an initial plan of where we want to focus and what we want to accomplish. After a couple of sessions, we will know each other better, you will know what to expect, and will find that you look forward to your appointment. My clients really enjoy working with and modifying their plan, noting their accomplishments, and bringing lists to their sessions.
What are your fees?
My fee is $195 for a 50-minute session (in person or online) and $95 for a half hour session. I do not take insurance, but I work with a company called Advekit that will submit your out of network claim for you. This means you only pay your copay, and they handle the rest. If you have insurance and go through Advekit, you do not have to pay the entire self pay rate up front. If you have insurance and do not want to go through Advekit, I will provide you with a superbill, if requested, that you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. Please know that I provide both of these options as a courtesy to help you get the most from your insurance company, but I am not able to intervene directly with insurance companies under any circumstances.
In the event that you are unable to keep your appointment, you must notify me at least 24 hours in advance. Please make sure you give 24 hours notice, otherwise I will have to charge you for the session.
What are your hours?
I schedule sessions Monday – Thursday, by appointment only. I have select early appointments available during the week to suit your schedule. At the time of our initial consultation, we will make sure our schedules intersect to make appointments convenient for you.
Why don’t you take insurance?
I do not take insurance for many reasons. Some that impact you:
- While working in a private hospital setting for over a decade, I have seen first hand the way that insurance companies have gradually taken over the length, type, and quality of care that we receive. I have also seen the amount of confidential information that insurance companies can routinely require to authorize care. This can include the release of your entire chart to the insurance company.
- Insurance companies require that you have a diagnosis in order to get therapy. This diagnosis will stay with you in your health record. In my practice, I rarely diagnose unless you request a diagnosis, and will not release it to anyone. If you go through Advekit or request a superbill I will document a diagnosis as required by your insurance company.
- Your insurance company can limit the number and frequency of your sessions. In my practice, we will work together to decide how many sessions you need, how often, and for what length of time, without any outside influence.
How many sessions will I need?
The length of time and number of sessions varies from person to person. We will work together initially to plan where we want to focus and what we want to accomplish. As time goes on, we will recognize accomplishments and update goals. We may also adjust the length or frequency of appointments. It is very important to me that you get what you need from your sessions, so we will discuss your experience frequently as well. We will work together to plan a path that is working for you.
Sound good? Let’s get started!
These are answers to my most frequently asked questions. Have another question? Contact me.