Therapy FAQs
I found your page and it speaks to me. Now what?
If you click over on the Request Appointment button, it will lead you to a link that can immediately set you up with a 20 minute initial consultation so that we can get to know each other and see if we are comfortable working together. If we are, we can schedule an appointment to get started. If you don’t see a time that works for you, please feel free to give me a call so that we can work something out.
What is therapy like?
Particularly if you’ve never been to therapy, it can seem weird and daunting. Just know that, in some ways, it will look a lot like a regular conversation. I ask questions; you answer them—or not. Maybe we do an activity—maybe some art or exploring how your body reacts to a particular situation. To be honest, it may look different from person to person, and even session to session. Therapy is driven by your own goals and your own story. In the beginning we’ll take some time to get to know your history and issues. However, as we begin to better understand your goals, we may spend more time with specific issues so that we can develop some useful strategies, or just take some time to reflect on your challenges or your highlights. I may make suggestions or be curious about particular avenues of exploration, but ultimately, your therapy is up to you.
Do we have to meet on a set schedule?
When we first decide to meet, we will decide on a convenient time for the both of us. The expectation is that we will meet weekly for 50 minute sessions. My schedule can be fairly rigid in that most clients like to come in at the same time every week. But I do understand that as therapy continues, your schedule may change or you will actually feel better and want to decrease the amount of times you attend sessions. This can all be discussed as needed, and I will always try to be flexible. If you drop down to bi-weekly or monthly, I may need to try and slot you in with others who are doing the same. I will try as best I can to make sure the times are convenient to us both. However, just know that schedule flexibility is not always available.
Do I have to come every week?
Especially at the beginning, in order to build a sense of safety and to get a good understanding of how therapy works for you, once a week is best practice. Consistency is the most effective way of making change. It’s not my intention for you to be in therapy forever, but I do want therapy to be and feel effective. From experience, I’ve seen that those who come consistently are the ones ready to do the work and who get the most out of the experience.
Do you do telehealth?
Yes, I do. For those of you who don’t know, telehealth is the ability to do sessions online or by telephone. Depending on your location or your situation, this may be a good option for you. We can discuss this in more detail if you make the decision to see me. I use two different platforms, Simple Practice and Zoom, so that there can always be one available for use should the technology gods fail us.
Policy FAQs
What’s your privacy policy?
Here is a link to a document that can help you to understand what to expect.
How much is it and can I use a credit card?
My fee is $250 for a 50 minute session, and $475 for a 110 minute session. Payment is due at the end of every session. You can then either pay by cash or check, which would be preferred, or your card will be charged through a HIPAA compliant app. As well, I will ask to keep a credit card on file in the event of a late cancellation.
What is your cancellation policy?
I ask that you give me 24 hours notice if you can’t make a session. This will give me some time to possibly schedule someone else in that spot. I do understand that there may be some emergency situations where you won’t be able to contact me within the 24 hour time frame, and we can discuss these situations more in session.
Do you take insurance?
I don’t take insurance at this time.
Why not?
While it can feel like you are paying less for therapy, my feeling is that using insurance can make treatment difficult. Insurance can place constraints on therapy that may not work to your best advantage. I can provide you with a superbill to give to your insurance company, and you will have to negotiate reimbursement with them. For more information, please click here.
You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate. What is that?
By law, you have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate,” or GFE, which explains how much medical care will cost. Under this law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical records and services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This generally includes costs such as medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment and hospital fees, which don’t necessarily apply to therapy. You will want to make sure your health care provider gives you a GFE in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service. In general, you know up front what your fees for therapy service are. However, the No Surprises Act wants providers to make your total fees clear. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a GFE before you schedule a service. If you receive a bill for $400 more than your GFE, you can dispute the bill. It is also highly recommended that you keep a copy of your GFE for your records. For questions or more information about your right to a GFE, visit www.cms.gov/nosuprises.
Any other questions?
That’s what the 20 minute consult is for! If all of your questions haven’t been answered, then by all means bring them up when we speak by phone or online. I want you to feel as comfortable as possible coming to see me. I look forward to meeting with you!
Using Insurance
Currently, I offer professional, private-pay service, otherwise known as "out-of network" service. This means that the client is responsible for payment to the therapist, and is then responsible for negotiating and collecting reimbursement from their insurance company. To this end, I will provide a superbill for you which you would send to your insurance company. Most, if not all clients, have received reimbursement from their insurer.
It is strongly encouraged that you contact your insurance representative prior to starting therapy for pre-approval and to confirm coverage, and any limitations, including co-pays and deductibles. Some insurance carriers select a panel of providers to deliver therapy services and may not reimburse for services from other professionals outside their network. Going out of network could mean you'll have to pay a larger percentage of the cost or the total cost, depending on your particular plan. You may also pay a higher coinsurance percentage and have higher annual coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximums. Please call the number on the back of your card and check your coverage carefully by asking the following questions prior to your first session:
Do I have mental health insurance benefits?
What is my deductible and has it been met?
How many sessions per year does my health insurance cover?
What is the coverage amount per therapy session and what is my copay?
Is approval required from my primary care physician?
What is the reimbursement for an “out of network provider”?
Getting the answers to these questions will help you make an informed decision about whether or not we can work together without insurance. It’s my hope we will be able to find a way, but if not, I’ll do my best to help you find a provider that may work for you.