FAQ
The most common thing I hear from the occupants of my couch is, “I can’t believe I didn’t do this sooner”. It’s true!
Most people struggle with one issue or another for several months or even years before taking the steps to begin therapy. Think about where you are right now and ask yourself some questions- Are you satisfied with your life or feeling lost and wondering if there is more for you?
Do you feel stuck, repeating the same patterns? Do you worry about the small things or the big things? Are you able to tackle the bumps that life throws at you or do you have trouble managing the roller coaster called life? If the answer is yes or maybe, then you’re in the right place! It’s time!
“Why do I need a therapist? Why can’t I just talk to a friend or a family member?”
A friend or family member is not professionally trained to help you grow, heal and change. It’s likely that your friends and family have been giving you their best advice for some time now, and if it were sufficient, you probably wouldn’t be reading this.
But here is why your friend’s advice is different from a therapist. Your friends want to maintain your friendship so they will probably tell you what you want to hear.
Also, they will give advice that is based on their life’s experience. A trained therapist is interested in helping you find your own answers by connecting you with what is true and right for you.
“What are the benefits of therapy?”
So many benefits! People who are in therapy or have been in therapy report higher self-esteem, better successes in life, increased happiness, improved relationships and so much more.
But, don’t take my word for it, google it!
“How will I know if you are the right therapist for me?”
You really need to meet me face-to-face in order to see if we would be a good fit together!
Keep these questions in mind when choosing a therapist:
Can I trust this person? Am I comfortable? It is easy to talk? Do I feel heard? Do I feel understood? Can I show this person the deepest, ugliest parts of myself? Do I like this person?
“How long does therapy last/take?”
This is a common question, and impossible to answer for any therapist.
Why? Because every individual person that enters therapy is entirely different and it depends on the person.
Some factors that contribute and questions to consider are: How motivated are you to participate in therapy? Are you willing to commit to changes? Are you willing to come once a week? How long have you been suffering? What brought you in now? I know, that’s a lot, but those are topics we discover throughout the therapy process, together.
“How do I gain the most benefit from therapy?”
Look at the money you spend on therapy as an investment in your future. The benefits you experience will justify the expense.
Be an active participant to your fullest capacity. Your therapy will take work – on your part and on mine. If you don’t put honest effort forward, you won’t feel as if you are getting your money’s worth and you will likely resent the cost.
“I’m very private and it is important to me that issues I talk about are confidential. Is my confidentiality completely protected?”
Yes. By law I am bound to protect your confidentiality. The exceptions to this are related to child or elder abuse, a threat to harm another person or if you are in danger of self-harm.
If you want to use a third party payer to pay for therapy it will be necessary to provide the information required by your insurance company which will likely include a diagnosis. If this is the case, I will discuss with you what is disclosed to an insurer.
“Do you take my insurance?”
I am able to accept UnitedHealthcare, Oxford Health Plans, Cigna, Aetna and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield , but do not accept other insurances, which means I am an out of network provider. If you want to use your insurance, you will need to contact your insurance company before our first session and ask them how much they reimburse you if you choose to see an Out-of-Network licensed Mental Health Counselor.
I will give you a bill for your sessions that will have all the required information an insurance company requires. You submit the statement/bill directly to your company. When the reimbursement check comes, it goes to you, not to me.
In order to make an informed decision about using your insurance to pay for therapy services, it is important that you know the following information:
1. Your insurance company will require a mental health diagnosis, which will become permanent on your medical records. This not only compromises your privacy and confidentiality, it may affect your future eligibility and cost if you wish to make a change in your insurance.
2. Your insurance company may allow a limited number of sessions for you, usually 8 – 12. This may or may not be a sufficient amount of sessions, depending on your goals and other factors that are listed in the answer to “How long does therapy last?”
“How do I get started?”
Call me! Or email me, that is fine too.
You can go to the “contact page” on this website to do either.
If you know that you want to get started, let’s schedule a session. If you want to meet me and have a free consultation, let’s do that.
