Do you bill insurance?
• I can help you with billing out of network benefits. Some people are not clear what this means. I am not on any insurance panels, which means that I can give you receipts, and after you pay for your session, you can submit them to your insurance for reimbursement.
How much will my insurance reimburse?
• This varies greatly by plan. Insurances will typically pay between 50-80% of the out-of-network cost.
Do you offer a sliding scale?
• I do not offer a sliding scale, but offer different programs to help different demographics at different times. Please call with any questions that you have about costs.
• Offering a sliding scale can be a slippery slope. It has to be all-inclusive in order to be fair. Rather than basing it on income alone, I base it on populations who are in need, and that I also specialize in.
When do I have to pay for my appointments?
• In general, you will pay for your appointments at the time of the service. If you miss your consultation appointment, without prior notice, you will have to pay for your next appointment either via credit card or via this website in order to hold your next appointment.
• All appointments for evaluations will need to be paid at least 24 hours prior to the actual evaluation in order to have this appointment held.
How long will I be in therapy?
• There are many different aspects to consider in determining the length of course of therapy. Therapy is an individualized process to help you reach your goals. You will play an active role in how long the process will last. This is also determined by how severe the problems are that you are dealing with and how much apply the strategies that you learn to your everyday life.
• I do not specialize in therapy approaches that are meant to last forever. I would average that most of my clients finish their most intensive portion of their treatment after approximately two months. This is the when the “winding down” process begins.
How often will my therapy sessions take place?
• This is also individualized as well. However, I usually recommend that clients meet at least weekly at the beginning of the therapy process. As they progress, the frequency decreases. For some, financial reasons prevent them from being able to participate in weekly sessions. There is the possibility of progress, but keep in mind that it will likely be much slower with less frequent sessions.
How do I know if my counselor is a good match for me?
• I recommend that you give it at least two therapy sessions with your current therapist before switching. The first session is often focused on informed consents and some other paperwork, and it is not always the best gauge of whether or not you and your therapist are a good fit for each other. If you still feel uncomfortable after the second session, be open with your therapist about this. It is at that time that you can discuss your options for possible referral to someone whom you may feel more comfortable with.
How do you go about treating substance abuse problems?
• I do not use the 12-steps. I have nothing against them, and encourage my clients to consider support groups such as 12-step programs. However I do not use this as my treatment approach. I use Solution-Focused Therapy, along with some Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy to help clients deal with symptoms and the underlying causes.
• Many clients who are receiving substance abuse treatment need psychiatric help as well. I have professional connections that I utilize and refer to for these situations.
