Common Questions and Answers
How do I know when it is time to see a therapist?
Chances are if you are reading this, therapy has found you! Here are some questions to ask regarding yourself, your family or your child. Is there a persistent problem, condition, behavior and/or a way of feeling that has been bothering me for a while? Is there something that I want to change in myself or my life? Do I often get frustrated, angry and irritated with myself or with others, wishing that I or them would just change? Am I tired of having the same conversations about the same things over and over in my head or with others, where nothing change? Does my issue feel too big to tackle by myself? Am I tired of feeling the way I have been feeling? Am I finally ready to do something about it? If the answer is "yes" to any of these questions.... it's time.
Do I really need a therapist? I've got plenty of friends and/or family members in my life. Why can't I just talk to them?
Friends and family members for many serve as great supports in our lives, offering us love, kindness and help. However, sometimes when it comes to addressing and working on intimate and deep rooted challenges, family and friends are not the ones to seek help from. Family and friends are not professionally trained to help you grow, heal and change. Support and guidance from them is in many way different from that offered by a therapist. Your friends want to maintain your friendship so they often times will tell you what you want to hear, maybe not what you need to hear. Family and friends will often give or offer advice that is based on their life’s experience, not yours. A trained therapist offers the opportunity for you to find your own answers by helping you connect with what is true and right for you. In many situations, our family and our friends are the very reason we are seeking therapy. Perhaps you have been hurt or even misused by them in ways? Therapy is a safe, supportive and non-judgmental space for you to share, explore and work towards healing and growth.
What is therapy going to be like for me?
I would like to start by saying that each person coming to therapy, even if for a very similar issue to another individual is going to experience therapy in their own way. Therapy in my opinion is very individualistic, meaning that each person if going to experience and gain from therapy what and only what they allow themselves to one up to and receive.
People in therapy come for a variety of reasons. In general, one can expect to begin by discussing the referring challenges that motivated them to seek support. Depending on a clients specific needs, length of therapy can range from a short-term process for a very specific issue, to a much longer-term process when clients are dealing with a more complex and or rooted challenged. Sessions usually occur weekly or bi-weekly. This will be something that you and I will discuss at our initial meeting.
The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn about yourself in your sessions and experiences back into your everyday life as you work towards wholeness.
Why does therapy cost so much and how will I pay for therapy?
To many it may seem like therapists charge a lot of money of their services. But believe me, the vast majority do not become wealthy from their private practices. Like anyone who works independently and runs their own business, therapist’s fees pay for office space, office supplies, advertising, websites, continuing education, outside consultations, medical and malpractice insurance, and of course vacation time. While larger run companies and mental health agencies commonly supply these accoutrements and provisions for employed professionals, those of us in private practice have to supply them for ourselves. Be rest assured that your money is being used to offer a safe, clean and pleasant environment, along with being invested within the education and training needed for me to provide the most effective, helpful and skillful forms of treatment to all of my clients.
I currently accept several insurance plans, including some Medicaid products. Some of the plans that I participate in include: Anthem, Cigna, Optum, Optima and Aetna. To determine if you have mental health coverage through your insurance carrier, the first thing you should do is call them and inquire. Check your coverage carefully and make sure you understand their answers. Below are some helpful questions you can ask them:
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What are my mental health benefits?
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What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
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How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
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How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
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Is approval required from my primary care physician? for services with me.
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Some people choose to not use their insurance company when paying for therapy, and in those cases clients then pay me at a direct rate. My rates start at $70 and range to $160 an hour.
Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?
Confidentiality is one of the most important components within the therapeutic relationship between client and therapist. Successful therapy requires a that a level of trust to be developed between client and therapist, giving clients the reassurance to open up and both share and explore highly sensitive and intimate subject matters that are usually not discussed anywhere but in the therapist's office. Every therapist should provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement, which we will both discussed and also offered in a written format for your records. By law your therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission from your.
However, state law and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations:
* Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders to the authorities, including Child Protection 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 threated to harm another person.
How do I get started?
Call me! Or if you’d rather email me, that is fine too. You can go to the "contact info" tab on this website to do either. If you know that you want to get started, let's schedule a session.