Q: How can therapy help me?
A: A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:
• Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
• Developing skills for improving your relationships
• Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
• Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
• Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
• Improving communications and listening skills
• Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
• Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
• Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
Q: Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my own problems.
A: Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you’ve faced, there’s nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you’re at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face. A good indicator that you might want counseling is when you’re having difficulties at work, when you are having a hard time concentrating, if you feel unhappy more days than not, if you cannot sleep, have a hard time figuring out what is important in your life, or just cannot manage the stress anymore. If you are currently questioning if you should go into counseling, that is probably the best indicator that you should. Trust your instincts.
Q: How long do therapy sessions last?
A: Most individual therapy sessions last for 50 minutes and are scheduled once weekly, twice monthly, or twice weekly depending on the needs and desires of a particular client. Family group sessions can last 50-90 minutes based on the needs and desires of the family.
Q: How long does therapy usually take?
A: The answer to this question is that it depends on your specific situation. Some people start feeling better right away after just a few sessions, for others it takes longer. The number of sessions depends on your goals, your history, the type of problem, the quality of the client-counselor relationship, and your ability to engage in the process during session and out of the session.
Q: What are therapy sessions like?
A: Every therapy session is unique. Therapy sessions are catered to each individual and their specific goals. During therapy sessions, it is normal to discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life. There may be times when you are asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to track certain behaviors. It is important to process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life between sessions. For therapy to be most effective you must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions. People seeking psychotherapy are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives.
Q: What are your fees?
A: The fee for a standard 50 minute individual session is $150.00. Family group sessions are 50-90 minutes long with a fee between $150-175 depending on the specific needs of the family. Discounted rates are accepted on a limited basis.
Q What forms of payment are acceptable?
A: Cash, check, or credit card including Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express are accepted. Payment is due at the beginning of each session.
Q: Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work?
A: I do not provide insurance billing at this time. If you would like to submit a bill to your plan, I can provide you with a receipt that you can submit to your insurance provider directly for reimbursement. To determine if you have mental health coverage, the first thing you should do is check with your insurance carrier. Check your coverage carefully and find the answers to the following questions:
• Do I have mental health benefits?
• What is my deductible and has it been met?
• How many sessions per calendar year does my plan cover?
• How much does my plan cover for an out-of-network provider?
• What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
• Is approval required from my primary care physician?
Q: What is your cancellation policy?
A: Notice of cancellation must be received at least 24 hours in advance or you will be required to pay the full cost of the session. Please refer to the policy document here.
Q: Is therapy confidential?
A: 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 a number of exceptions to this rule. Exceptions include:
• Suspected child abuse or dependent 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 ensuring their safety. If they do not cooperate, further measures may be taken without their permission in order to ensure their safety.
Q: How do I get started?
A: There are 3 steps to getting-started in therapy.
1) Call (916) 692-0436 or go to the Appointments page and complete and submit the Appointment Request Form. You will be contacted to discuss your therapy goals and set the date\time of your initial session.
2) Once your appointment is scheduled, you will need to download and complete the necessary forms which can be downloaded from our Forms page.
3) Get directions and be sure to bring the completed forms to your initial session.