What does therapy look like?

1st step is to have an initial phone call to discuss your concerns and your reason for seeking therapy. From there, we set an intake appointment. I will take down your e-mail address and through that you will receive an invitation to my secure client portal. You will be asked to fill out some consent forms as well as a form to collect background information. When it is time for our session, we will both click on a link which directs us to a secure, HIPAA compliant video session. Sessions are 50 minutes in length. I prefer for you to lead the session and discuss what you think is most important at that time. I will support you in setting goals, ask questions that will help you gain insight, as well as share research-proven techniques to help you make the changes necessary to help you achieve your goals. Therapy sessions occur once per week, but can be done more or less frequency depending on need.

How long will I need to be in therapy?

I do not decide how long you stay in therapy. Some people feel that the problem that brought them in to therapy is solved in a few sessions. Some choose to end there. Others may choose to continue on in order to learn more about themselves and gain further control of their emotions and behaviors. Some people benefit from long-term counseling, others prefer to have the option to “pop in” when they feel that they need a boost of support. I will support you in whatever duration of treatment you feel is best.

I have had a bad experience with therapy, why should I try it again?

It is normal and common to feel that you did not benefit from therapy in the past. It can take trying a few different therapists to find the right fit for you. Finding the right fit is one of the most important factors of your experience in therapy. I encourage you to take advantage of consultation phone calls. If you feel comfortable, go ahead and schedule an intake session. Depending how you feel afterwards, you decide if you want to move forward with that therapist. It is important to share your previous experiences so that your therapist can know what you did and did not like. If you feel that we are not a good fit, I will not take offense. I will be happy to work with you to fix the problem together, or refer to you my great network of therapists that I maintain contact with.

What are your thoughts on medication?

I am not licensed to prescribe medication. I am happy to refer you to a psychiatrist if you feel that medication would be helpful. I prefer to start therapy out by getting to know you and your needs. My goal is to help you reach your goals by teaching you the techniques that will benefit you best. If you try everything in your toolbox as well as my toolbox and feel that you cannot cope without further assistance, I may recommend you consult with your doctor or a psychiatrist regarding medication. I have seen medication help people tremendously and will support you no matter which decision you make.

Why would I choose video therapy instead of in-person therapy?

Please check our teletherapy page for more information.

What therapy techniques do you use most?

Please check the "Approach" page at the menu of the website for more information on my techniques and methods.

Are you accepting new clients?

Yes, I am currently accepting new clients.

Do you have appointments available on evenings and weekends?

At this time I have limited availability for evening and weekend sessions. Please reach out and I will do my best to accommodate your schedule.

How is payment accepted?

Payment is accepted via all major credit cards and HSA/FSA cards through the client portal that I use to connect with you for video sessions, documentation, and communication. Everything is conveniently all in one place.

Do you take insurance?

I am only in network with Optum/United Behavioral Health at this time. If you are with a different insurance company, and have a PPO plan which provides Out of Network benefits, it is possible to go through your insurance, I am able to provide you with a super bill, which can be submitted to your insurance company for partial reimbursement of my fee. Some people choose not to go through their insurance for additional privacy, freedom to choose providers, and so that their insurance does not have access to their diagnosis or dates of service.

It is not guaranteed that your insurance will reimburse you for therapy sessions. In order to find out if you have Out of Network benefits that cover mental health, I encourage you to call your insurance company and ask the following questions. (The phone number will be located on the back of your insurance card.)

• Do I have a PPO plan?
• Do I have mental health benefits?
• Am I limited to a certain amount of sessions?
• Do I need prior authorization from my primary care physician?
• Is there a deductible that I must meet before I can receive reimbursement for out of network sessions? If so, what is it, how much of it have I used so far, and when does my deductible renew?
• How much do you reimburse for therapy sessions with a Marriage and Family Therapist?
• What is my expected coinsurance (copay) for sessions with a Marriage and Family Therapist?
• How do I submit my superbill for reimbursement?

What are the benefits of paying out of pocket instead of using insurance?

Insurance requires that a diagnosis be made in order to pay for your therapy sessions. This means that you will be given a diagnosis and that it will become a part of your permanent record. Insurance is able to dictate how many sessions you can have, how frequent your sessions are, and how much they would like to pay per session. They may also request case reviews or case notes, which limits your confidentiality.

What is your cancelation policy?

I understand that sometimes, life happens. I am somewhat flexible and happy to accommodate schedule changes if and when I can. If you are unable to give 24 hours notice before canceling a session, I let it slide the first time and give a warning. Any subsequent cancelations or no-shows will be charged the full session fee.

How private is therapy?

The law protects the relationship between a client and a psychotherapist, and information cannot be disclosed without written permission. Exceptions include: suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse, for which I am required by law to report to the appropriate authorities immediately. If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person/s, I must notify the police and inform the intended victim, when possible. If a client intends to harm themself, I will make every effort to enlist their cooperation in ensuring their safety. If they are unwilling or unable to cooperate, I may take further measures without their permission that are provided to me by law in order to ensure their safety.

How can I do video therapy if I don’t have privacy in my own home?

I have had therapy with people when they are sitting in their car, their backyard, or even out for a walk around their neighborhood. I encourage you to connect to me from a secure network, and will work with you in whatever environment you feel most comfortable.