In addition to the questions in this F.A.Q., I recommend you read the information in the About section of this website. There you can find out more detailed information about my distinctive approach to therapy and a more detailed explaination of the therapy process.

Q:  What is your financial policy? Do you take insurance?

A:  I can take some insurance on a limited basis, but the majority of my practice is fee-for-service based. I have a standard per-session fee, but am flexible at working with someone at a reduced fee within the realities of their financial means. Unless we make arrangements otherwise, payment is expected at the time of our meetings. I do not accept direct insurance payment, but many insurance carriers allow for out-of-network reimbursement, which might be a viable option for you. I can provide the necessary information for you to apply this reimbursement with your insurance company, if applicable. The availability of and timing of reimbursements will vary based on insurance providers.

Q:  Why do you limit insurance payments?

A:  I have found that psychotherapy works best when there are only two parties involved: the client/patient and the therapist. Confidentiality is central to psychotherapy, and insurance companies often compromise this. I also believe that psychotherapy is best when its focus and duration are determined solely between the you and I in our ongoing relationship, rather than managed by an outside party that is not part of the actual therapy process. Most managed care is shaped by the medical model, and sees the goals of counseling as removing specific symptoms (aka "disorder") as quickly as possible. Often, insurance companies do not want to pay for more sessions than required by short-term symptom management, leaving the underlying issues unaddressed. While quick symptom relief can feel helpful, I believe that psychotherapy offers a profound process of growth that is rewarding in its own right, and produces deeper and more lasting change in people's lives. This process does not fit neatly in the medical model of diagnose-treat-cure that most managed care is built around. Having said that, I concede that there are many people who could or would not engage in psychotherapy if not for insurance payments. I offer a small number of times for these situations depending on availability.

Q:  How often do you expect to see someone?

A:  Once a week is the standard frequency of sessions, and generally the minimum frequency for significant growth to take place. This is especially true in the beginning because this is the time period when we can establish a therapeutic relationship, a feeling of safety, as well as begin addressing your concerns with regularity. To facilitate deeper work, multiple sessions per week may be helpful. Actual frequency is determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on your unique needs and concerns and where we are in the therapy process.

Q:  How long does therapy typically last?

A:  The duration of psychotherapy varies from individual to individual, but it is my belief that for psychotherapy to be effective on more than temporarily or superficially, it must cover an ongoing period of a person’s life. This can be as short as a few months, or over many years. I typically recommend that those just starting therapy plan on investing at least one year in the process, which we can evaluate as we go. Some people chose to stay in therapy for years as a process that they feel is engaging and rewarding in its own right, while others decide to discontinue once they feel certain goals or objectives have been met. While the majority of the work I do with clients is "long-term", due to differing needs and situations, occassionaly "short-term" therapy is a viable option. In this approach to therapy, you would typically come from a few weeks to few months and focus on a narrower slice of life, often limiting the scope of our work to a specific area or problem.

Q:  What type of therapy do you do?

A: I primarily approach therapy as exploratory and open-ended. Rather than being directive about what you should do or what we should focus on, I view therapy as a space in which you can openly explore anything in your life and in your mind. I work from a psychodynamic framework, which looks at the underlying issues behind a person’s difficulties, identifying and changing the root causes. If you'd like a more detailed explanation of this approach, please read through my About page. I also organically incorporate elements of various psychotherapy approaches, such as existential, family systems, and emotionally focused therapy. I do not generally work from a symptom-focused or structured therapy framework. I do not generally have you do worksheets or assign homework.

Q:  Do you ever recommend medications?  Do you prescribe medications?

A:  As a psychologist, I do not prescribe medications. Medications are prescribed by a medical doctor, which includes psychiatrists and primary care physicians. There are times when medication(s) may be necessary for someone to achieve more immediate relief from their struggles, so I will refer that person to a psychiatrist for a medication evaluation. In these contexts, medication is not a replacement for therapy, and does not usually address the underlying emotional or relational difficulties, but something that is used concurrent with the therapy process. 
  
These just a few of the many questions that may come up in your decision to pursue psychotherapy.  I would be happy to discuss any additional questions in our initial consultation.