What is therapy?

Most of us have some idea of what therapy is, but it may be based on misconceptions generated by the media. In an excellent article for the general population, Noah Rubinstein, MFT, founder of GoodTherapy.org, suggests the basics of therapy as:

• Therapy reduces suffering
• Promotes self-actualization-increases positive traits and skills
• Going doesn’t mean you are “Crazy”….it for “Normal” people, too!
• It’s non-pathologizing
• It’s empowering
• It’s collaborative
• It’s one-way- focused on the client

What kind of therapy do you practice?

I am an eclectic therapist, meaning that I have had training in a number of therapy models and use many of them in combination, depending on the needs of my client. Life if not “one size fits all” and, in my opinion, therapy should not be either. Many of my clients are experiencing overwhelming stress which has resulted in depression, anxiety, or relationship difficulties. I use interventions from many schools of thought to help them. Some of the modalities I have been influence by and use are: Mindfulness Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Transpersonal Therapy, and Humanistic Therapies.

What should I expect during first sessions?

• Prior to our meeting in person, we will have a brief phone conversation (up to 20 minutes) to assess if I am the best therapist for you at this time.
• For your first session, I will ask you to arrive at my office 30 minutes early to complete the initial paperwork. Better yet, I can email the forms to you to complete at home and bring to the appointment.
• During your first session, we will spend about 50 minutes together to review your paperwork, my office policies, and discuss what brings you to therapy.
• If we decide to work together, it will be important for you to commit to at least 4 appointments to set the stage for your therapy success. Appointments are 50 minutes once a week. Depending on your needs, therapy appointments usually begin once per week and as symptoms subside, appointments may be scheduled every 2 weeks or even once a month.

Do you accept insurance?

I am an out of network provider, which means that patients pay my fee directly at the time of service. If they choose, they can then submit a bill, which I can provide, to their insurance carrier, for possible reimbursement. Please, contact your insurance provider directly to ascertain number of sessions approved and rate of reimbursement.

What forms of payment do you accept?

Patients may pay in cash, check, or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover). All payments are expected at time of session.