Who is therapy for?
I see therapy as a place to increase self-awareness and accelerate personal growth. You do not have to be diagnosed with a mental health problem to benefit from psychotherapy. We will work together to help address any concerns. Therapy can offer a safe and supportive environment to find perspective, heal wounds, explore relationships, and solve problems.
How long do I have to be in therapy for?
The length of treatment depends on the scope and complexity of the issues addressed and your desire to continue.
What does “out of network” mean?
“Out of network” simply implies that I am not contracted with your insurance company. However, insurance companies recognize that they do not work with every single therapist. They understand that their in-network database cannot accommodate the demand for therapy, and they likely do not work with enough therapists who have open availability.
Based on your specific plan, or how much you have spent on healthcare expenses otherwise, your insurance company will reimburse you after your sessions. Often, insurance companies will cover a percentage of your “out of network” spending after you meet your deductible, which is the amount your insurance expects you to pay out of pocket for treatment before they are required to make payments according to your contract with them. The specific deductible and percentage reimbursement varies widely by person and by plan. Insurances typically reimburse somewhere between 60%-80% of their reasonable and customary rate after you meet your deductible.
It is possible you have already "met your deductible" through other healthcare spending!
What are some benefits of seeing an “out of network” provider?
Often, healing time can be unpredictable. Insurance companies can limit the amount of sessions you are allowed if you are “in network” which can potentially cut our work short, rush our work together, or stop us from reaching your fullest potential.
To receive payment from insurance companies, therapists need to assign you a "diagnosis." This diagnosis can be carried with you in certain circumstances. For example, if, for any reason, court orders to see your treatment history, the insurance company will be required to share that information. Having a diagnosis (for example, depression) on your record may prevent you from receiving other types of desired insurance, like life insurance, despite your being deserving of equal access.
Sometimes, your copayment is still quite high. Your out of network benefits may actually make seeing a therapist who is not in-network with your insurance company just as affordable, or even more affordable than going in-network. Your plan may have a high deductible, meaning you would be paying fully out of pocket for months before your insurance benefits kick in.
Using insurance makes it much harder to choose your own therapist, and causes you to be limited by who accepts your insurance in-network and who has availability in their practice. You may find you call 10-20 names on your insurance list before receiving a call back, only to learn the person who is calling you back does not have availability for another few weeks.
If you switch jobs, or your job switches insurance providers, you may be vulnerable to needing to switch your therapist, after gaining trust, building a relationship, and reaching new levels of strength and security and not wanting to start over with someone new.
What is the difference between the initial consultation and ongoing therapy sessions?
An initial consultation, often called an intake, is essentially an interview to assess how well you are functioning in different life areas (mental health, substance use, work, school, family, friendships). In ongoing sessions, we will help you gain insight and develop the coping skills to navigate through your life more effectively.
Do you offer bi-weekly sessions?
Not initially. Bi-weekly sessions are usually reserved for clients who have been in therapy consistently on a weekly basis for the amount of time required to reach their goals and who want maintenance sessions to help ease the transition to leaving therapy altogether. We will evaluate your treatment goals in 3-6 months after the initial consultation to determine if you are ready to step down from weekly sessions.
What payment types are accepted?
We accept cash, checks, HSA/FSA, and all major credit cards.
