Therapy
I am currently scheduling phone consultations and appointments for personal therapy sessions. A typical therapy session lasts approximately 45 minutes — although the initial meeting or consultation often takes longer. During the initial meeting, we will discuss the concerns that you would like to address through counseling. We will also discuss your history and other pertinent information so that I can assess your situation. Then, we can determine whether further sessions would be appropriate.
When further sessions are indicated, I generally recommend one session a week throughout the course of treatment. However, sometimes more frequent sessions are advisable depending upon emergent circumstances. The length of treatment varies and is determined by the nature of the concerns for which you are seeking treatment. I tailor the therapeutic process to suit your individual needs. We will discuss the specifics of your therapy at the beginning of treatment and during the course of our sessions.
When you are in treatment, your personal information and doctor-patient communication is legally protected as confidential. This means that if you want me to consult with anyone regarding your situation, you will need to sign a release of information or "authorization" to allow me to do so. It also means that others may not be given information about your treatment without your expressed permission. There are exceptions to the rule of confidentiality — you will be informed of these exceptions at our initial meeting.
Many medical insurance plans cover counseling, although phone consultations may not be covered. You may consult your insurance plan to see what kind of coverage is provided. Your insurance company may also have a web site that will allow you to check to see if I am listed as a health care provider for your particular plan. If you have further questions regarding insurance or you require reimbursement forms, you may contact my office.
Many people benefit from psychotherapy, finding they have an increased clarity about their lives and an improved sense of well-being. Each individual is different and treatment outcomes reflect those differences. Sometimes the therapy process can be difficult. During the course of treatment, you may experience emotional turbulence as you unearth buried feelings or revisit painful memories. However, exploration of your emotions and memories may lead to a greater understanding of yourself, your situation and your worries, allowing the healing process to begin and providing you with insight that may help you in the future.