Frequently Asked Questions...
WHO CAN SEEK THERAPY?
Anyone! Whether you need a person to listen to your concerns and provide feedback or to help you through some undesirable psychological symptoms, therapy can be a great place to fulfill your needs.
WHY THERAPY?
Therapy provides a safe and supportive place where you can begin to relieve yourself of stressful thoughts and feelings without any negative repercussions. You can take your time sharing what is important to you and get feedback on what may be useful ways to prioritize, cope with and navigate the challenges in your life.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT AT THE FIRST APPOINTMENT?
Prior to our first appointment, I will send you a patient portal link where you can complete all of your paperwork online through my HIPAA compliant electronic system. This must be complete before our appointment. Not only will it give us the entire appointment time to talk about your experiences, it will also provide me with any information that you would like me to know about you prior to us meeting.
When you arrive, please relax in my waiting area. If my door is closed, I am most likely finishing up an appointment with another person. If you are attending a virtual appointment, please have a private space to talk. You are more than welcome to utilize your car as your private space but you must be parked for safety purposes and have an internet connection so that you can log into our session. The session will be spent getting to know your background and your expectations. We will also discuss confidentiality and any questions you may have about the therapy process.
WHAT IS CONFIDENTIALITY?
Therapy is confidential, which means anything you say stays between you and the therapist. However, like teachers and doctors, therapists are mandated reporters who are required to take action whenever a person’s safety becomes a concern. If a therapist feels that you are at risk of seriously harming yourself or another person, (s)he has to protect those involved. (S)he also has to take appropriate action if there is a report of suspected child abuse or neglect.
DO YOU ACCEPT INSURANCE?
Yes. I am in network with several insurance companies. It is important that you call your insurance company to double check that I am in network with your particular plan and if you need any authorization for services. Please see the "Schedule an Appointment" page for the list of insurance companies.
WHAT IS MY COPAY?
To be honest, I have no idea until I receive your insurance card information. Insurance companies have many different plans so what one person pays may be different from another. Also, not all insurance companies consider counseling to be a specialty, which means that your copay may be the same as what you pay your primary care physician or possibly less! Please call your insurance company and ask if you have a deductible that needs to be met and what your copay will be for counseling. You may be pleasantly surprised!
WHAT IS A DEDUCTIBLE?
A deductible is set by your insurance plan. It is the amount of money that you will need to pay your provider before your plan covers a portion or all of the cost for your health appointments. For example, let's say that your plan has a deductible of $300 to meet. You schedule an appointment with your primary doctor to get a wellness exam. This imaginary insurance plan has a contract with your doctor to reimburse them $150 per appointment, which means that you will have to pay your doctor's office the $150 for that appointment. This will bring down your deductible to $150. Once you have met the full deductible cost, your insurance plan will start paying for a portion of your appointments for the rest of the year. When the new year begins, your deductible will start over.
HOW WILL I KNOW IF YOU ARE THE RIGHT PERSON FOR ME?
I guess we really won't know until we meet each other. I do think that most people feel at ease talking with me and even enjoy our sessions since I'm very good at listening, empathetic to others' needs and non-judgmental. I consider myself to be professional but I do like to use humor as part of my therapy when it's appropriate. You can also expect to see me wearing jeans instead of business clothes. My appearance will always be neat and appropriate but I feel that casual wear tends to help others feel more relaxed in sessions and also adds a huge comfort level for me when I'm sitting on floor with my younger clients. If for any reason you feel that I am not a good match for you, it is completely okay to let me know that you need to look for someone different. As much as I would love to help each person I meet, I know that I can not be the perfect therapist for everyone.
Anyone! Whether you need a person to listen to your concerns and provide feedback or to help you through some undesirable psychological symptoms, therapy can be a great place to fulfill your needs.
WHY THERAPY?
Therapy provides a safe and supportive place where you can begin to relieve yourself of stressful thoughts and feelings without any negative repercussions. You can take your time sharing what is important to you and get feedback on what may be useful ways to prioritize, cope with and navigate the challenges in your life.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT AT THE FIRST APPOINTMENT?
Prior to our first appointment, I will send you a patient portal link where you can complete all of your paperwork online through my HIPAA compliant electronic system. This must be complete before our appointment. Not only will it give us the entire appointment time to talk about your experiences, it will also provide me with any information that you would like me to know about you prior to us meeting.
When you arrive, please relax in my waiting area. If my door is closed, I am most likely finishing up an appointment with another person. If you are attending a virtual appointment, please have a private space to talk. You are more than welcome to utilize your car as your private space but you must be parked for safety purposes and have an internet connection so that you can log into our session. The session will be spent getting to know your background and your expectations. We will also discuss confidentiality and any questions you may have about the therapy process.
WHAT IS CONFIDENTIALITY?
Therapy is confidential, which means anything you say stays between you and the therapist. However, like teachers and doctors, therapists are mandated reporters who are required to take action whenever a person’s safety becomes a concern. If a therapist feels that you are at risk of seriously harming yourself or another person, (s)he has to protect those involved. (S)he also has to take appropriate action if there is a report of suspected child abuse or neglect.
DO YOU ACCEPT INSURANCE?
Yes. I am in network with several insurance companies. It is important that you call your insurance company to double check that I am in network with your particular plan and if you need any authorization for services. Please see the "Schedule an Appointment" page for the list of insurance companies.
WHAT IS MY COPAY?
To be honest, I have no idea until I receive your insurance card information. Insurance companies have many different plans so what one person pays may be different from another. Also, not all insurance companies consider counseling to be a specialty, which means that your copay may be the same as what you pay your primary care physician or possibly less! Please call your insurance company and ask if you have a deductible that needs to be met and what your copay will be for counseling. You may be pleasantly surprised!
WHAT IS A DEDUCTIBLE?
A deductible is set by your insurance plan. It is the amount of money that you will need to pay your provider before your plan covers a portion or all of the cost for your health appointments. For example, let's say that your plan has a deductible of $300 to meet. You schedule an appointment with your primary doctor to get a wellness exam. This imaginary insurance plan has a contract with your doctor to reimburse them $150 per appointment, which means that you will have to pay your doctor's office the $150 for that appointment. This will bring down your deductible to $150. Once you have met the full deductible cost, your insurance plan will start paying for a portion of your appointments for the rest of the year. When the new year begins, your deductible will start over.
HOW WILL I KNOW IF YOU ARE THE RIGHT PERSON FOR ME?
I guess we really won't know until we meet each other. I do think that most people feel at ease talking with me and even enjoy our sessions since I'm very good at listening, empathetic to others' needs and non-judgmental. I consider myself to be professional but I do like to use humor as part of my therapy when it's appropriate. You can also expect to see me wearing jeans instead of business clothes. My appearance will always be neat and appropriate but I feel that casual wear tends to help others feel more relaxed in sessions and also adds a huge comfort level for me when I'm sitting on floor with my younger clients. If for any reason you feel that I am not a good match for you, it is completely okay to let me know that you need to look for someone different. As much as I would love to help each person I meet, I know that I can not be the perfect therapist for everyone.