SOME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PSYCHOTHERAPY:
Can you tell me about your treatment approach?
People seek psychotherapy for many reasons—whether they're navigating distress, seeking clarity, or aiming to improve a relationship. Common areas of focus include relationship patterns, self-esteem, anxiety, and stress. My approach is collaborative: We’ll explore the roots of your challenges and discuss strategies for managing them.
Often, our early family relationships shape how we see ourselves and relate to others. These early experiences can influence our dynamics with partners, children, coworkers, and friends. We can talk more about how we might work together before or during our first session.
Is therapy right for me?
Choosing therapy is a meaningful commitment of time and energy—but one that can lead to lasting, transformative change. People seek therapy for many reasons: to manage anxiety or depression, navigate life transitions like divorce or loss, or pursue personal growth.
Therapy offers a space for self-awareness, responsibility, and positive change—for anyone looking to get more out of life.
How can therapy help me?
Therapy offers support, new perspectives, and practical tools for managing challenges like anxiety, depression, grief, relationship issues, and stress. It can also foster personal growth, helping you build self-awareness, improve communication, and develop healthier patterns.
Benefits of therapy may include:
• Greater clarity about yourself, your values, and goals
• Stronger relationships and communication skills
• Effective coping strategies for stress and anxiety
• Tools to manage grief, depression, and emotional struggles
• Increased self-esteem and confidence
The impact of therapy depends on your engagement and willingness to apply what you learn.
What should I know before starting therapy?
We’ll start with one or two sessions to explore your concerns, goals, and whether we’re a good fit. Feeling comfortable and understood is essential.
Most clients meet weekly for 50-minute sessions, though we can adjust frequency or length based on your needs. If it’s not the right match, I can recommend other trusted therapists.
Do you prescribe medication?
I'm a qualified and experienced clinician, but not licensed to prescribe medication. Some prefer therapy alone, while others use medication alongside therapy to manage symptoms. When medication is involved, I like to coordinate care with the prescribing doctor to support your progress.
Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work?
In short, I’m not an in-network provider for any insurance plans. However, many policies offer out-of-network benefits that may reimburse part of your costs.
A more detailed explanation:
- I no longer contract with Medicaid or Medicare.
- All services are self-pay. I no longer have a contractual agreement with any insurance company to accept their rates for services.
- I can, and will, provide what's referred to as a "superbill" (an invoice or statement) for patients/clients and couples wishing to seek reimbursement independently or to use this statement for a pre-tax Healthcare Savings Account (HSA).
- Any specific questions regarding your eligibility for reimbursement should be directed to your insurance provider. Please ask me if you would like helpful language to use for your research.
Generally speaking though, to check your coverage, contact the insurance company and ask:
- How much do they reimburse per out-of-network session?
- Is the reimbursement based on their “usual and customary” rates or the therapist’s actual fee?
Note: Kaiser Permanente and some HMO plans require in-network providers, so out-of-network reimbursement may not apply.
Is pre-approval from my insurance plan required before I begin treatment?
If you have out-of-network benefits, you pay me directly. I’ll provide monthly invoices with all necessary details for you to submit claims for partial reimbursement. Please indicate if you want claims sent directly to you.
For payments via a Health Savings Account, I can provide invoices without a mental health diagnosis.
Is therapy confidential?
Your therapy sessions are confidential. I won’t share information without your written permission—except when required by law, such as:
- Suspected abuse of a child, adult, or elder (which I must report)
- Imminent threat of serious harm to others (police will be notified)
- Risk of self-harm, where I’ll work to ensure safety and may take further steps if necessary
Feel free to ask any questions about confidentiality anytime.
What is the No Surprises Act?
Under the No Surprises Act, health care providers, including mental health care providers, are required to give patients who don’t have insurance, or who are not using insurance, an upfront estimate of their bill for medical services.
Originally designed to prevent patients from being surprised by large hospital bills, the act was passed by Congress last year. It went into effect on Jan. 1, 2022.
Essentially, you have the right to receive what’s known as a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of services. Financial estimates for our work prior to an initial diagnostic session are difficult to calculate. Generally speaking, though, you should plan for weekly therapy meetings at the rate provided in the intake paperwork, unless you and I agree to a different frequency. Please feel free to ask me about this.--I am happy to answer any and all questions you have.
According to the No Surprises Act, if you receive a bill that’s at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you have the right to dispute the bill. Please save a copy of your estimate in the forms that I provide to you.
For questions or more information, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 1-877-696-6775.