Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make an appointment?
You can fill out the calendar request that I have set aside for the initial 15 minute free video consultation. I create the space for the consultation so that we can ensure that we are a good fit for each other. You can also email me directly at [email protected]
How is online counseling different from seeing a therapist in person?
Online is slightly different from visiting a therapist’s office at . First, online counseling consists of video chat sessions rather than going to see a therapist in their office.
What happens when there are technical difficulties?
We will establish a back up plan for the instances of when there may be technical difficulties.
Do you keep a record of therapy notes?
Yes. Similar to traditional in-office psychotherapy treatment, I will keep electronic medical records (EMR) on every contact with you.
How will I pay for my session?
You can pay with a credit card, debit card or you can use your health benefits credit card.
What if I have to cancel?
I understand that there will be times that cancellation cannot be avoided. Please give at least 24 hours notice of your cancellation.
How long will counseling take?
The length of time that therapy takes varies for each person. It depends on what concerns that you’ve brought to therapy with you, the goals you want to achieve and the effort that you put forth to achieve those goals.
Some people have goals that only need short term support, which is around 4 sessions. For others who need more support, the length of time can be 8 sessions and up t0 6 months. However, for others even more time is required and we can work collaboratively to determine the time frame needed.
Couples therapy can be longer because of the work that needs to be done to understand the relationship dynamics and what is needed for support as well as time to work through the concerns that have brought you to therapy. Typically, couples are seen between 12 and 20 sessions.
Do you take insurance?
I do not take insurance. I am considered an out-of-network therapist with most insurance companies. Some clients like to use their out-of-network (OON) insurance benefits and are reimbursed for a portion of their costs. I can provide you with the documentation required to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement, which is called a Superbill.
Prior to submitting a Superbill and to determine what your insurance benefits would be for therapy is to call your insurance company directly. You can find the number on the back of your insurance ID card. If the Behavioral Health number is different, please call that number directly to inquire about behavioral health services. When you call ask about your outpatient, out-of-network, mental health benefits specifically for telemental health (this is what the insurance industry calls online video counseling).
Please be aware when using your insurance:
There are many factors to consider when using your insurance benefits to help pay for therapy, including your privacy and access to care.
Insurance companies can (and will) limit the number of sessions that are covered, and request copies of your therapy notes, which are records of what occurred during each therapy session.
Additionally, if you choose to use your out-of-network benefits, I will be required to provide you with a mental health diagnosis (ex: Major Depressive Disorder, Adjustment Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, etc…) to prove “medical necessity” for therapy.
This diagnosis may become part of your permanent record, and result in you having a pre-existiting condition.
What are your fees?
- Initial intake session is 90 minutes at a fee of $180.
- Ongoing individual sessions are 50 minutes at a fee of $140.
- The couple’s intake session is two 90 minute sessions, which is $180 per session. The first session is a session with both people in the relationship. The second session will be broken into two 45 minute sessions. I will meet with each person individually for 45 minutes.
- Ongoing sessions for couples are 90 minutes at a fee of $180. In my experience, this time leaves room for discussion of any progress or setbacks since the last session from both parties perspective as well as focus on goals for the week to come.