Starting
Consultation
I offer a free 30-minute consultation (either on the phone or in my office), so you can get a sense of whether we have a good match. It is also an opportunity for me to decide whether or not I will be able to help you.
Fees
My current fee is $250.00 for each 50-minute session.
Payment
Cash or check accepted for payment at the time of service.
Cancellation Policy
If you do not attend your scheduled therapy appointment, and you have not notified me at least 24 hours in advance, you will be required to pay the full cost of the session.
Insurance
It is only fair for anyone to want to use their insurance for their health care. However, when it comes to therapy, I’d like you to be aware of the pros and cons of the decision. The pros are obvious: if you are eligible and qualified, insurance companies will pay for part of the sessions if they decide that it is a medical necessity.
On the other hand, the cons are not so obvious: In order for insurance companies to pay for your therapy, they require an official Mental Health Disorder Diagnosis. Like I mentioned earlier, many people in therapy are simply struggling with day-to-day issues and do not fit any diagnostic labeling. For example, an unhappy couple without any mental health history is not going to qualify for coverage.
For those that are more heavily impacted by their emotional issues and are diagnosable with a mental health disorder diagnosis, it is still tricky to decide whether or not using their insurance would be in their best interest.
First, usually there is a limited number of therapists you can choose from within the network and the number of sessions allowed in a year is very low (3-12 sessions).
Second, it is understandable that many people feel uncomfortable with being labeled as mentally ill because it is something that will stay on one’s medical record which is likely to make it very difficult and expensive to purchase future medical and life insurance policies.
Third, to qualify for coverage, insurance companies often require therapists to delineate intimate details of the client’s problems and circumstances. In other words, therapy is overseen and scrutinized by insurance companies to determine necessity and the therapist would have to prove that one is “sick” enough to warrant therapy.
In contrast, when therapy does not involve insurance, it remains confidential between you and your therapist. Not only that, you have the option of choosing the right therapist with whom you feel there is a connection. After all, finding a therapist is similar to finding a confidant; trust and connection are key to the success of the therapy.
Ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether you’d like to use insurance for your therapy, but I’d be happy to address any questions you may have and assist you in making that important and personal decision. You can have a free consultation or make an appointment.