Q: I don't know if my insurance pays for counseling. How do I find out?
A: Most insurance plans pay for counseling. I recommend that my clients contact the customer service number on the back of their insurance card and ask what is covered and how much they can expect to pay out of pocket. I will also be glad to verify your benefits and explain them to you before your first appointment with me.
Q: I have insurance but I can't afford the deductible or my co-pay. Do you offer sliding scale?
A: Many folks have high deductibles and co-pays, which can make getting the counseling they need difficult or even impossible. I don't offer sliding scale but I know of several local, non-profit organizations who do and I'm always happy to provide information about them to anyone who calls me as a public service.
Q: When will I feel better?
A: Individual results can vary greatly and no counselor can provide a guarantee. However, virtually all of my clients feel much better and begin to experience fewer, less intense symptoms within the first 4-6 sessions.
Q: I want help but I'm too scared and ashamed to talk about it. Do I have to talk about it in order to feel better?
A: Feeling and being safe are the most important things in any relationship, especially in a therapeutic one. Most people who've been traumatized don't feel safe-ever. So, I will never make anyone talk about anything they don't wish to discuss. I am trained in the use of non-talk therapies like Thought Field Therapy and Brainspotting which often very quickly resolve trauma and reduce symptoms. If you are willing to simply think about the issue or trauma, you can begin to resolve it and feel better.
Q: I'm so afraid that someone will find out that I'm in counseling. Is everything kept confidential?
A: Confidentiality is extremely important in a therapeutic relationship. In general, what clients say in counseling is kept strictly confidential. I am prohibited by law from even confirming that someone is or was a client without written consent of the client. There are a few notable exceptions to confidentiality laws related to safety issues that I will discuss with you at the beginning of our first session.
Q: What happens in counseling?
A: The client is always in complete control of what happens in each session. My process is guided by what the client wants to accomplish and what is comfortable for him or her. It looks and feels different for each person and changes from one session to the next. Generally speaking, in the beginning, I do a lot of listening. This often brings some immediate relief as clients unburden themselves and begin to recognize that they're not crazy, awful, weird, or broken after all. Then, I often teach clients healthy coping, effective communication, boundary-setting, self-care, and other skills that are necessary to help the person feel better and make healthier choices. In the next stage, the client begins to practice what he or she has learned. My purpose is not to tell a client what to do or not do. Rather, it is to empower each person with the knowledge and skills to create the life he or she wants.
Q: I know I need help but don't see how I can find the time for counseling. Do you offer flexible scheduling?
A: I understand that most people are really busy these days with work, school, and taking care of a family. It can be hard to make counseling a priority. I limit the number of clients I see so that I can offer a lot of flexibility in appointment times and days, including early morning, lunch time, and late afternoons.
Q: Do you see couples or families?
A: At this time, I only see individual adults. Sometimes, my clients like to bring a support person or someone with additional information with them to their sessions. I am open to that as long as the other person understands that it remains your session, not theirs, as I won’t have informed consent to treat him or her. I’m happy to provide referrals to those who want a couples’ or family therapist.
Q: How much do you charge?
A: My rates are as follows: $75 for 30 minutes, $112.50 for 45 minutes, and $150 for 53 minutes.
Q: Do you take insurance?
A: I am "in network" with all Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPO plans and some Blue Cross/Blue Shield HMO plans. I am "out of network" with all other insurance plans, which means that clients pay for my services at the time they are provided and then may submit a claim form to their insurance company for reimbursement. I will be happy to provide a completed claim form to you for your convenience upon request.
Q: Do you set up payment plans or take partial payments?
A: Payment in full is expected at each session. For your convenience, I accept Mastercard, Visa, American Express, and Discover as well as personal checks.
Q: What should I look for in a counselor?
A: Finding the right counselor is an intensely personal choice. It is kind of like finding the right pair of shoes-when the "fit" is great, we're comfortable and can walk long distances. When it's not, we aren't comfortable and we don't want to be there. In general, I recommend looking for a counselor who is fully licensed, thoroughly trained in a wide variety of therapies, and has substantial experience treating whatever the mental health challenge is. Clients should always feel safe, heard, respected, and that they are being treated with honesty, compassion, and dignity.