What to Expect
Initial phone consultationBecause it can be helpful to speak with a therapist to determine whether you would like to work with them, I am happy to provide a free phone consultation to discuss your concerns, my approach, my experience, and any questions you might have to help you to decide whether we may be a good fit for working together toward your goals.
How much will therapy cost?
If you will be using your insurance benefits, whether in-network or out-of-network, I recommend that you contact your insurer to confirm your deductible, benefits, and financial responsibility. It can be helpful to keep in mind that the mental health part of an insurance plan may be administered through another insurer, so you will want to be sure about their specific network coverage.
If you do not have insurance or you do have insurance but will not be using those benefits (also known as "self-pay"), you have the right to receive a "Good Faith Estimate" explaining how much your medical care will cost.
Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don't have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.
- You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
- Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item.
- You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.
- If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.
- Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.
Initial appointment paperwork
I ask that you complete and return some initial paperwork prior to our first appointment. Please be sure to return your completed forms or bring them with you to our initial appointment. If you have any questions about the forms, please feel free to contact me or we can discuss them when we meet.
Initial appointment
My office is located on the first floor of the building; you may have a seat on the couch in the entry hall. I will come out and meet you at our appointment time.
Our first appointment is an opportunity for me to learn about you and your current concerns, as well as for you to determine if I am the right therapist for you. This generally is a 60-75 minutes session, though may require a second session depending on the circumstances. We will begin by discussing important aspects of therapy, including the limits of confidentiality and office policies. The majority of the appointment will be dedicated to discussing your concerns, relevant history, and hopes for therapy. A thorough intake evaluation enables me to make initial diagnostic impressions and preliminary recommendations and options for therapy, which I will share with you at the end of the appointment. If we both decide to work together, we will conclude with any questions you might have and discuss our next steps for therapy. If we decide that you will be better served by a different therapist, I am happy to assist you in finding another therapist.
Subsequent appointments
The frequency of appointments and length of treatment will depend on the nature of your goals and the kind of work we do together. I typically meet with patients at a minimum of weekly sessions, although this can vary based on treatment goals and your preference and needs. This will be an ongoing conversation we will have during our work together to ensure you are finding therapy helpful and are making progress toward your goals.
*Please note that my current availability is limited to Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday appointments.
