I make sure all of my new clients feel welcome, safe and taken care of. During your first visit, we will review your intake questionnaire, go over some general health history, confidentiality and the reason you are seeking therapy.
I am available via telehealth and face-to-face consultations will be reintegrated into my practice once it is considered safe for everyone.
I currently accept:
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Cigna
Optum
Credit Card
FSA/HSA
Cash/Checks
When to see a therapist?
Reasons for seeing a therapist will vary. Therapy can be beneficial for problems such as:
Depression
Grief
Relationship conflict
Stress
Using substance to cope
Regardless of the reason, therapy can be an opportunity to grow, learn and heal.
How do I choose a therapist?
Psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed professional counselors (LPC’s), marriage and family therapists (LMFT’s), licensed chemical dependency counselor (LCDC), pastoral care counselors and life coaches are several options for individuals who are seeking help. Here’s how they differ:
Psychiatrists (MD):
licensed medical doctors who can prescribe medication
have completed training in a psychiatric residency program
may provide therapy but most focus on medication management (some do both)
Psychologists (PhD):
are NOT medical doctors, therefore, cannot prescribe medication
have completed a doctoral program as well as post-doctoral experience under supervision and passed a licensure exam
provide therapy and diagnostic testing
Licensed Professional Counselors (PhD./MA/LPC):
are NOT medical doctors, therefore, cannot prescribe medication
have completed either a doctoral program or a master’s level program, a supervised postgraduate internship and passed a licensure exam
may work with individuals, couples, families and groups
provide therapy and diagnostic testing
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (PhD./MA/LMFT):
are NOT medical doctors, therefore, cannot prescribe medication
have completed either a doctoral program or a master’s level program, a supervised postgraduate internship and passed a licensure exam
specialize in working with families to improve relationships amongst family members; also work with individuals, couples and groups
provide therapy and diagnostic testing
Pastoral Care Counselor:
training depends on the religious denomination
Most denominations require licensing and post-graduate training and supervision
Life Coach:
no standardized training or licensing required (currently the field is unregulated)
How do I find a therapist?
Check with your insurance carrier, physician or a family/friend referral
Is therapy covered by my insurance?
You may choose a therapist who is on your insurance company’s provider list or you may choose to see one who is not on the list. If you choose a therapist who is not on the provider list, the insurance company MIGHT consider the therapist to be an out-of-network provider. The insurance will decide whether they will reimburse you. You have the option of self-pay which means you pay the fee yourself.
How long will therapy last?
There is a great deal of variety in the length of time therapy takes. It depends on the individual who comes to therapy, the treatment methods the therapist uses, the goals of the person seeking therapy, the symptoms he or she has, and the history of those symptoms.
Some clients achieve their goals in as few as three or four sessions while some take longer. The client and the therapist may work together to set a goal.
How do I know if I’ve found the right therapist?
You must feel an emotional connection with the therapist.
The therapist must provide an atmosphere of safety and trust for the client.
It is normal to experience a certain amount of discomfort when facing difficult issues during therapy. If you feel that a change of therapist would be best, your therapist should be supportive of that decision. A proper fit between therapist and client is essential toward goal achievement.
Remember, a counselor will not shame or judge your actions. He or she is there to help you understand how you got into this situation, why you made the decisions you made, and the best way to make things right.
Take your time, find someone you feel safe with, and then start to do the work. You’ll find out for yourself just how valuable counseling can truly be.