What to expect at my first therapy appointment?

The first step is for you to contact my office by email or phone. Any communication is confidential and safe. A therapist will contact you to speak and schedule the first appointment.

Often by the end of the first session, we will be able to offer you an assessment of your situation and tell you whether or not you would benefit from services provided by the therapist. If we will not be able to help you, I will refer you to a trusted professional colleague. The first 2-3 sessions are usually necessary for an in-depth and comprehensive evaluation. By then, we will discuss our views of the situation, set therapeutic goals, and discuss possible outcomes of treatment.

what are the fees?

I am in network with many major insurance companies. If I am in network with your
insurance company, you are required to pay any co-pays or deductibles that
haven't been met as per your insurance.
If you have out-of-network benefits with your insurance company, I can submit
claims and you will be responsible for co-payment as well as any deductibles
that haven’t been met.
If you do not want to go through insurance, 45 minute sessions are $150 and couples sessions are $200.
I accept cash, check, and major credit cards. If you choose to pay by credit card,
there will be a processing fee.
Payment is due at the time of service.

What is your experience?

I am licensed mental health counselor with 15 years of clinical practice
in the field of counseling. I worked at Madonna Heights, which is a facility for
troubled adolescent females; as well as multiple private practice facilities before
opening up my own practice. As a result of my extensive experience, I am often
regarded as being highly compassionate, as well as skilled at understanding the
sensitive needs of others.
I am one of the fortunate people who truly love what they do.

what qualifications do the other therapists have?

All therapists in the practice are Mental Health Counselors. We have a therapist who is certified in EMDR [eye movement desensitization and reprocessing] which is designed to help alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories. Upon request, we can provide a background and ideology of the therapist that we feel would be the best fit for you. You may request to switch to a different therapist within the practice, and we will do our best to accommodate - depending on fit and availability.

What types of issues do you deal with?

I deal with a multitude of issues - from anxiety, and depression, to adjustment disorders, divorce, blended families, relationship issues, and behavioral issues such as ADD.

as a parent, how can i help my child in their therapeutic process?

When working with children and adolescents, I focus on helping the family [as a whole] function in the happiest and healthiest manner possible. I provide parent consultation and training.

What type of therapeutic style do you practice?

I practice a style of psychotherapy that focuses on building a warm, empathic relationship between therapist and client. I aim to help each client achieve his or her own goals and fulfill their potential. I tend to practice psychodynamic therapy, an insight-oriented treatment and I also incorporate aspects of other techniques into my work as well, such as mindfulness, coping skills, and grounding techniques.

Do you work with schools and pediatricians?

Absolutely! I have a wonderful relationship with local pediatricians as well as adolescent and adult psychiatrists if referrals need to be made.

what if the session is for my child?

For anyone under the age of 18, the first session is for the parent(s)/guardian, the child does not attend. This is for you to be able to meet the therapist and feel comfortable. Here, we will go over any background history.

can I schedule an appointment where a therapy dog is present?

I am the only therapist who would have a therapy dog present during appointments. It is not possible to request to have a therapy dog in a session with one of our other therapists.

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