Practical Information to Get Started With Therapy
Choosing A Therapist
- Do I feel comfortable and have an easy connection with the therapist that will allow me to feel safe opening up?
- Does the therapist have expertise with the particular concerns I want to work on?
- How does the therapist see their role in the therapy process? Does this align with the kind of therapeutic relationship I would feel comfortable with?
- What are the therapist’s beliefs about how change occurs as a result of psychotherapy? Do I find this convincing?
- What approaches does the therapist use? Does that feel like something that would work for me?
- What distinguishes this therapist from others?
Beginning Therapy
On this call, we’ll talk briefly about what brings you to seek therapy and discuss any questions you have about how we would work together. If you feel comfortable proceeding after that, then we would schedule your first appointment. Prior to coming to my office for the first time, I will direct you to a couple of forms to fill out to provide some background about you to help me get to know you, and to explain important aspects of treatment.
You may feel anxious or nervous about meeting me or beginning therapy. From the very start of our work, I will work to create a welcoming, compassionate, and nonjudgmental environment for you to share what’s troubling you. We’ll begin in the first couple of sessions with me asking questions to learn more about what brings you in and to help me get to know you. It will also be important to make sure that your questions about the therapy process are answered. At the end of that time, we’ll agree on your goals for treatment and how we will assess progress in meeting them. After that, we’ll work on your goals. I will likely talk less, and your experience in and out of the therapy room will be the focus of our sessions.
Fees and Insurance
Following that, my fee is $300 for a 45-50 minute session.
There is no charge for sessions canceled with at least 24 hours’ notice. Late cancellations (less than 24 hours’ notice) are subject to payment in full.
Payment is expected at the time of service and is accepted in the form of cash, check, or credit card.
Insurance
I do not participate in any health insurance networks, however I am happy to provide you with a superbill statement which you can submit to your insurer for out-of-network coverage. You may also use Health Savings Account dollars to pay for therapy. I advise you to research the nature of your benefits for out-of-network coverage before commencing therapy so as to understand what kind of reimbursement you may expect. Insurers will require an official psychiatric diagnosis before determining coverage of your therapy, which will then become part of your record, and they may also request and review your file, including the progress notes from your therapy sessions. Not all diagnoses are covered. Insurers may also limit the number of sessions and the nature of treatment, which may adversely affect the optimal course of therapy. Some clients choose not to use mental health insurance benefits to avoid these issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are conversations in therapy confidential?
How discreet is your setting?
Both my offices are located in mixed-used buildings. Each is in a suite of other psychotherapy offices, with a shared waiting area.
How often will I attend therapy?
How long are sessions?
How long does therapy take?
How will I know if therapy is working?
I’ve had a bad experience with therapy in the past. Why would this be any different?
What facilitates good therapy outcomes?
- Creating a trusting relationship between us, so that you can feel safe exploring vulnerable areas.
- Understanding that the time needed to heal and grow is variable and will depend on the nature of the challenges you bring to therapy.
- Establishing a shared view of the main concerns and goals for treatment and then assessing progress against those goals.
- Being willing to share freely in session, particularly the experience you are having with me in the moment.
- Attending therapy consistently and talking in session about things that may be making it difficult to come to therapy.
- Giving yourself the gift of using your therapy time to focus on yourself.