What is a consultation?

A consultation is an initial visit (sometimes up to three visits) in which I will want to hear about what brings you to therapy at this particular point in time. You may have a lot to say about what is happening/has happened in your life and not need me to ask too many questions. Or if you are hesitant or unsure about how to talk about what’s going on for you, I will have some questions that will hopefully make the process easier for you. As we discuss and explore why you are seeking out therapy we will both be making decisions about “how good a fit this is.” You will develop a sense of whether or not you are comfortable with me and my style of interacting with you. I will develop a sense of whether or not I can be of help to you. If we both agree that I can be helpful to you, we will take it from there. If either of us thinks it is not “a good fit” I will do my best to find you a more appropriate referral.

How long will psychotherapy take?

The length of psychotherapy is unique to the individual and depends on the needs and goals that you identify. Some issues may be very narrowly focused and specific. These will require fewer sessions. Other issues may need more time. However, length of treatment is flexible and certainly a topic that we discuss as we work together. Psychotherapy is not a linear process. You may come to treatment for symptom relief or changes in behavior and once this is achieved feel ready to leave. It is also possible that with the reduction of symptoms and behavior change you have become aware of other aspects of your life that you would like to explore or new goals that you would like to attain. So, you might stay for awhile longer. You are always in charge of your treatment and its length. Part of the therapy process is checking in about your progress and evaluating your evolving needs.

How often do I need to come to therapy?

With time, training and experience I have found that consistent, weekly sessions are necessary and the most efficient way to create deeper, more long-lasting change for people. Because of this, I ask clients to commit to coming to therapy on a weekly basis. Some clients choose to attend two sessions per week, finding that this helps deepen the work.

How does talking help?

In today’s busy world, where we are bombarded by information and experiences, too much “stuff” can stay cooped up in our heads and start to overwhelm us. It can get pretty lonely and confusing “up there”! One very basic way that talking in therapy helps is that when you say and hear this “stuff” out loud in the presence of a trained professional, who is listening carefully and empathically, it takes on much less power. It becomes less overwhelming, and you gain more control over it. And you realize that you are not alone with your thoughts. Also, talking with a therapist about your experiences, thoughts, and feelings can help you begin to discern them more clearly, organize them and then use them to create significant changes in many important areas of your life. You can begin to deepen your understanding of your feelings, and make them more tolerable. You may also develop new options for how you choose to respond to yourself and to others that feel more comfortable and can be more productive for you and the people that you are in relationship with. The constructive feedback between the two of us can help you get back on track with your personal goals in these areas.

What are your fees?

My initial consultation fee is $275 for this 60 minute session. (Sometimes 2 consultations may be needed for us both to get a sense if we are a “good fit”.)

After the initial consultation(s) I offer weekly individual sessions at $225 for a 45 minute session or $275 for a 60 minute session.

My fee for couples therapy is $325 per 60 minute session.

Payment is expected at the beginning of each session. I will give you a summary receipt at the end of each month, which you can submit to your insurance carrier for reimbursement, if your plan allows this. At this time, I accept cash and personal checks.

Do you take insurance?

I do not take insurance, meaning I do not participate as an “in-network” provider for any health plan. If your policy offers out-of-network mental health benefits (meaning they will pay for a portion of my fee even though I am not affiliated with them) this may help defray some of the cost of treatment. Here are some helpful questions to ask your insurance provider or human resources department, if you have group coverage through your place of employment:

• Does my policy have out-of-network mental health benefits? If so…
• Do they cover the psychotherapy services provided by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-R)?
• What is my deductible? (The amount you must pay before any benefit/reimbursement kicks in.)
• Do I need prior approval or a referral from my primary care provider before seeing a therapist?
• After the deductible is met, what percentage of the therapist’s session fee will be covered/reimbursed?
• How many therapy sessions does my plan cover in a year?