Does the cost of therapy
vary on the number of people seen in a session?
No. I charge the same flat fee for individual, couples, and family therapy.
My standard fee is $95 per therapy hour. I offer a sliding scale for those who qualify.
Should I bring anything
with me to my first session?
No. I provide the client demographic forms to clients at their first appointment.
If, however, you wish to fill out the forms prior to the first session, you may print them from my forms link and bring
them with you.
How often should I expect to come?
This answer varies depending the nature of the issue, and if
it is a short-term goal or long-term goal that has led a person to initiate therapy. Most people come
once a week, a few may come twice a week, and others come every other week.
Do you see clients for longer than one hour?
The typical session
is an hour. Occassionally, clients may schedule longer sessions, due to the distance traveled to the office or due to
conflicts in their schedule.
Do you accept insurance?
I currently do not contract with insurance companies. In
addition, most insurance companies typically do not cover couples and/or family counseling
(please check with your insurance company, if desired).
There are many benefits to hiring a
therapist privately and leaving the insurance industry out of the therapist-client relationship entirely.
These benefits include:
1. Confidentiality. By paying a therapist directly,
a client can insure that a third party cannot obtain their information without their knowledge.
2.
Diagnosis. Insurance companies require a mental health diagnosis in order to pay the therapist. The majority
of insurance companies do NOT accept a diagnosis of couple, family or child issues, nor do most accept 'adjustment disorder.'
Thus, therapists must give a mental health diagnosis, such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or ADHD. The
disorder goes on the clients permanent file.
This disorder then affects the clients ability to obtain future insurance.
I do diagnosis
clients. However, I believe I remain ethical and give a diagnosis of couple, family and child issues and adjustment disorder
when applicable. I do not give a diagnosis just to get paid.
Payment is due at the time
of appointment and can be paid by cash, check, or Visa/MasterCard.
An invoice is available upon request
if you would like to submit it to your insurance company to be reimbursed for out of network sessions.
Is
therapy confidential?
In general,
the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and a psychotherapist. Information is not
disclosed without written permission. However, there are number of exceptions to this rule. Exceptions include:
- Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse. The therapist
is required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
- If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person(s). The therapist must
notify the police and inform the intended victim.
- If
a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to enlist their cooperation
in insuring their safety. If they do not cooperate, further measures may be taken without their permission in order
to ensure their safety.
- Please see the HIPAA Privacy
Practices document for further exceptions.
