FAQ

A standard individual therapy appointment is 50 minutes long.

There is no time frame when working on personal development and growth.  It depends upon the individual and what you are working on.  The number of sessions depends upon your goals, history and the type of issue you wish to address.  Some clients, in a crisis may see their therapist two times a week, for a time.  I recommend attending sessions once a week, especially at the start of therapy for the first couple of months, this will help you to establish a trusting relationship and build the rapport that will facilitate the change process for you to begin to notice shifts in your life.  Together we will review your goals and treatment on an ongoing basis to assess frequency of sessions and progress toward your therapeutic goals.   

I am trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing and Solution Focused Therapy.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) helps clients as they learn better ways to manager their emotions.  DBT has been around since the 1970s and is the first psychotherapy to formally incorporate mindfulness.  

Sounds good, but I heard DBT is for people with borderline personality disorder or those in the hospital?  DBT is very effective for people with bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, PTSD, caregiver burnout, relationship issues, substance abuse and yes, borderline personality disorder.  I believe strongly that DBT can help everyone.  Many college student/clients have shared that they wished DBT was taught in middle school, when life is difficult for most people and positive habits may have made a real difference.

DBT combines strategies from cognitive behavioral therapy and humanism. DBT balances CBT and humanism with dialectics. There is a heavy Zen influence in DBT.  It is widely recognized as the gold standard in emotional dysregulation therapy.  

CBT helps clients to recognize distortions in thinking that are creating problems for them, and then reevaluate the issues in light of reality.   CBT places an emphasis on helping you learn to be your own therapist. Through exercises in session as well as “homework” exercises outside of sessions, clients develop coping skills, whereby you can learn to change your own thinking, problematic emotions and behavior.

CBT therapists emphasize what is going on in the person’s current life, rather than what has led up to their difficulties. A certain amount of information about one’s history is needed, but the focus is primarily on moving forward in time to develop more effective ways of coping with life.

Please contact me to discuss my current rates.  I offer a limited number of reduced-fee sessions, based on financial need. Payment for services is due at the time of services.

Therapy focuses on overall mental health concerns, such as depression or anxiety.  Coaching
focuses on setting and achieving goals and there is a great deal of overlap.  
Coaches are not trained in the area of mental health, while many therapists are trained
coaches.  I am a PCI Certified Parent Coach with extensive expertise working with parents and
individuals on issues such as Executive Functioning, interviewing, communication challenges
and setting and realizing personal goals and appropriate boundaries. 
I am an ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider or ADHD Coach. An ADHD coach is trained to
assist adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder better manage their lives. A few areas
clients with ADHD seek development include:

• planning and management skills (Executive Functioning)
• healthier self-esteem and relationship management
• procrastination management
• self-motivation
• time management skills
• an improved sense of self esteem

I kindly request a minimum of 24 hours’ notice to cancel your appointment. If you do not cancel your appointment at least 24 hours ahead of time or do not show for your appointment, you will be charged for the cost of service. This is to ensure that we are able to offer services to others should you be unable to attend. Please note that insurance companies do not typically reimburse for ‘no show’ or late cancellation appointments.  

*Please cancel or reschedule your appointment 24-hours in advance as you will be responsible for the full appointment fee.

I am an out of network provider which means I do not accept or bill insurance.  I will provide a Superbill for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. You may wish to consult your plan benefits in advance to determine what portion of your therapy may be covered.  You are welcome to pay for sessions using a Health Savings Account (HSA).

I encourage you to call your insurance company and ask the following questions:

• Do I have coverage for out-of-network mental health outpatient therapy?
• What percentage of therapy service fees are covered? Please ask about the following CPT codes: individual therapy 90834 and 90837.
• Is there a limit to the number of covered visits in a calendar year?