Frequently Asked Questions

Sessions are 50 minutes. Initially appointments are weekly. After some progress has been made, we explore and agree to transitioning sessions to biweekly until therapy is no longer needed.

Average length of therapy varies depending on the specific issues addressed, type of therapy, individual experiences and personal commitment. There is no one size fits all approach for how long to stay in therapy. Average length is 6 months to 1 year.

Regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, income and societal factors, it can affect anyone. Affecting about 1 in 5 adults in any given year.

Typically, the first session is an assessment session where I will gather your biopsychosocial history. This means being asked about the psychology of your patterns, health and illness history, and your social factors are evaluated.

Client’s are provided support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, stress management, and creative blocks. Many people also find that therapists can be a tremendous asset in managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a different perspective on a difficult problem or guide you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you engage in the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:

• Attaining a better understanding of your authentic self, your strengths and weaknesses, and how to leverage them to accomplish your purpose
• Finding a resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
• Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
• Managing anger, loss, depression, and other emotional pressures
• Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
• Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

Helps to manage and alleviate symptoms of mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. Often used concurrently with therapy to improve overall functioning and quality of life. Medications aim to reduce severity of symptoms like sadness, hopelessness or mood swings, making daily living easier to manage. By alleviating some symptoms, it can assist in making therapy more effective, allowing individuals to engage more fully in sessions.

Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and a therapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with sensitive subject matters that are usually not discussed anywhere but in the therapist's office. Client’s will be provided a written copy of the confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in the session will not be shared with anyone. This is called “Informed Consent”. Sometimes, however, you may want me to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (i.e. psychiatrist, primary care physician), but by law, I cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.

However, state law and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations:

• Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, disabled adults, and elders to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources.
• If the therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threatened to harm another person.
• A client signing a Release of Information (ROI) to coordinate care between providers or outside parties.

Educate yourself about mental illness. Be aware of your attitudes and behavior. Seek treatment and encourage others to do the same.

Confidentiality & Privacy
Ensure greater confidentiality. When paying out of pocket, your sessions remain entirely private between you and the therapist. Insurance companies require the submission of detailed documentation of diagnoses and treatment plans, which becomes a part of your health record. Inclusion of a mental health diagnosis in insurance records may contribute to potential stigma or bias in various aspects of life, including employment and relationships.

Flexibility in Choice of Therapist and Treatment Plans Private-pay psychotherapy allows you the freedom to choose a therapist based on compatibility, skillfulness, and personal preferences rather than being restricted to a network provided by your insurance plan. Insurance companies often dictate the number of sessions allowed and the types of therapies covered. Private-pay therapy, on the other hand, provides flexibility and freedom in deciding the direction you take in session.

No Diagnosis Required
When using insurance, a mental health diagnosis needs to be provided as part of receiving services. While I provide a diagnosis to clients as a standard of care, without insurance it allows your diagnosis to be kept between us and not disclosed to your insurance.

No Denied Claims, High Deductibles, or Coverage Limits Dealing with administrative obstacles, high deductibles, denied claims, and session limits can be time-consuming, discouraging, and can take away from the focus on the therapeutic process. Private pay arrangements eliminate this risk, ensuring that
individuals receive the full benefits of their sessions without the interruptions in treatment and other uncertainties associated with navigating insurance claims and approvals.

Quicker Access to Services
Insurance-based therapy often involves navigating procedures, such as obtaining pre- authorization for sessions and dealing with limited provider availability and months- long waitlists. Private-pay psychotherapy eliminates these barriers, offering more immediate access to services. This can be particularly crucial in times of crisis or when seeking timely support is essential.

Positive Treatment Outcomes:
Research shows that contributing financially to treatment yields more positive outcomes