Frequently Asked Questions

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How do I decide on a therapist?

It can be hard to choose a therapist! To this end, I offer a no-cost consultation on the phone or in-person at my office. This can be scheduled to accommodate both our conveniences. All consultations are no obligation and confidential, and are designed to assess that we are a good match. Please call or email to schedule.


What does therapy do?

Therapy can be challenging, but can result in benefits that are life changing and long lasting. That can include short term solutions for specific dilemma; long range support, validation, and insight; clarity about relationships, sex, and trust; and skills for being in the world. Therapy is not friendship, nor is it yoga, or meditation, or any of the other systems and activities that can be helpful.

I will roll up my sleeves and help you to identify, explore, and help make decisions about what causes distress. Therapy can cause you to become more aware of hidden ideas and thoughts--reducing confusion, anxiety, and conflict—and increasing choices, options, and freedom. We explore the risks and benefits of those options so you can make choices and have support and feedback as you experiment with living and thinking differently.


How long are sessions and what do they cost?

Therapy sessions are 50 minutes, and session times are the same for individuals and couples. Please contact me for questions about current rates. Rates are not for a certain amount of time, but instead for the value of my services in assisting you to change your life and relationships.


What is therapy like with you?

I am an active therapist, asking questions that can lead to you understanding what keeps you from getting where you want to be. I will sit with your pain and your joy, focusing on hearing you rather then “fixing” you. I will offer my opinion when asked based on what I have noticed works for others. With couples, therapy is structured, where we explore recent conflict in a way that produces understanding and a loving connection.


What forms of payment are accepted?

I accept checks, cash, credit and debit cards, PayPal, or Chase cash transfer.


Do you accept insurance?

I do not work with insurance companies, but I can provide you with a superbill, which allows you to submit to your insurance company for approved reimbursement (usually allowed after satisfying your deductible). I can help you with what questions to ask of your insurance company. If you would like a therapist who bills directly, I would be happy to refer you to a qualified peer. Please note that most insurance companies do not cover couples therapy.


Questions To Ask Your Insurance Company

The following is a list of potential questions that may help you when contacting your insurance company prior to your first appointment. If you are seeking couples therapy, you need to ask specifically about this, as most insurance companies will not cover couples work.

  1. Do you have mental health benefits? If so, what are they?
  2. How many therapy sessions does your plan offer? Is there a limit on your number of sessions? Is there a limit on the length of sessions?
  3. Do you have to satisfy a deductible? Can you see a therapist out of network?
  4. If you see a therapist out of network, how much does your insurance pay?
    • If the answer is: "a percentage of usual and customary," ask what they consider usual and customary for the area where I will be seeing you.
    • If the answer is: "It depends on the diagnosis," ask whether they pay for "Z-Codes," which are diagnostic codes for the more everyday life disorders (e.g. relationship problems, etc.)
    • If the answer is: "It depends on the type of visit," ask what is meant by this (e.g. initial visit, on-going visit, etc.)
  5. What will your insurance carrier need from your therapist in order to provide reimbursement?
    • Can you submit your therapistʼs invoice orSuperbill, or do they require a special form?
  6. How long will it take to get reimbursed?

Note: Some insurance companies make special provisions for their clients who are already seeing a therapist. Occasionally, that therapist can be designated "in network" for your case alone. This may be worth asking your insurance carrier about.