faq's
How do I know if you can help me? I will be happy to speak with you by phone to discuss what is prompting you to consider therapy at this time and learn more about the types of difficulties you are experiencing. At that time, I will also answer any questions you may have about my services, experience/training, and payment arrangements. Our first few sessions will involve an evaluation of your needs. By the end of the evaluation, I will be able to offer you some first impressions of what our work will include, if you decide to continue with therapy. You should evaluate this information along with your own opinions of whether you feel comfortable working with me. Therapy involves a large commitment of time, money, and energy, so you should be very careful about the therapist you select.
What is your approach to psychotherapy? I draw from an integrative approach to psychotherapy that weaves together cognitive- behavioral, insight-oriented, interpersonal, and empowerment approaches. At the root of cognitive-behavioral therapy is the assumption that our thinking mediates and impacts our feelings. For example, if I think things are hopeless, I will feel hopeless and likely will be very depressed as a result. Cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on increasing one’s awareness of their internal self-talk and cognitive distortions, so that they can learn new ways of responding cognitively. Progress is exemplified by transforming one’s thinking/self- talk from negative and self-defeating to thinking that is more rational, positive and self- enhancing. Behaviorally, therapy frequently encourages individuals to take calculated risks in stepping outside of their comfort zones to learn and master new behaviors that are more healthy and adaptive. In doing so, individuals may experience corrective emotional experiences. Insight-oriented and interpersonal therapies essentially focus on increasing insight into the familiar themes and relational dynamics that seem to occur in an individual’s life that can be maladaptive. This may include exploration of family of origin histories. Lastly, an empowerment model is helpful in attending to the socio-political forces (e.g., oppression, racism, sexism, homophobia) that can negatively impact an individual and exacerbate the psychological difficulties they are experiencing. When applicable, I work with clients to underscore how these forces might be impacting them and encourage them to get involved in countering these forces in a variety of ways to empower themselves and lessen their sense of powerlessness. To me, at the core of psychotherapy, is creating a working alliance with the client in the safe, perfection-free, and respectful environment that therapy offers, to help individuals better understand their internal emotional worlds, learn more about why they do the things they do, help them to decide for themselves what changes they would like to make in their lives, and to give them guidance and support in how to do so.
Are virtual or telehealth appointments an option? Yes, telehealth appointments are treated by most insurance companies as equivalent to an in-person session. Many clients are loving the convenience of virtual therapy appointments from the comfort of their own home. I'm happy to arrange to meet with you virtually through my easy to use HIPAA-compliant platform.
Do you take insurance? Are you a provider within my network? Regarding payment, most insurance plans are accepted. Depending on your particular insurance plan, I may be listed as either an "in-network" or "out-of network" provider. My clients are about equally split with regard to whether I am an "in-network" or "out-of- network" provider for their insurance plans. Many people seeking mental health care are going out-of-network if the psychologist with whom they wish to seek treatment is not on their insurance plan's in-network provider list. Personally, I believe that an individual should be able to choose who their provider will be, rather than having this decision made for them. Further, the out-of-network benefits for many insurance plans are quite feasible, with only slightly higher deductibles and co-pays. Occasionally, there is no difference at all in deductible or co-pay amounts whether you stay in-network or use out-of-network providers. Inquiring about outpatient mental health benefits with your insurance carrier can be somewhat confusing. I have included a helpful Insurance Worksheet in the forms section to assist you with easily guiding you through the process. Because I am in a solo practice, I do not maintain an office staff, therefore, it is the client's responsibility to inquire about whether a precertification / preauthorization is required (and to obtain it if necessary) and to find out benefit information. The worksheet will assist you with this and lists each question you'll need to ask your insurance company. Presently, I'm in-network with Humana, UMR, UHC, UBH, Aetna, Custom Design Benefits. I also see many patients with other insurances as an out-of-network provider. You can pay with cash, check, HSA, or credit card.
How do I prepare for my first appointment? There is no special preparation required on your part for the first appointment. Some clients do choose to make a list of concerns they wish to address in therapy, which they bring to the first appointment to discuss with me. This is helpful, but not required. It can also be helpful to have knowledge of the names and dosages of any medications you take regularly. I understand that a first appointment can be anxiety-provoking for many clients, but please know that I will do my best to ensure that you feel safe, respected, and heard in our work together. When arriving for your first appointment, please come 15 minutes earlier to complete initial insurance and client paperwork. Then we can begin promptly at your scheduled appointment time. Should you get lost, need directions, or need to reschedule, please contact my office at 513.312.2203.
Is there a fee for a missed appointment? If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, please give 24-hours notice to avoid any unnecessary charges for late cancellation or no-show. Please note that most insurance companies will NOT pay for missed sessions, meaning that the client will then be responsible for the full charge of the therapy session.
Can I avoid using insurance and pay "out-of-pocket?" An increasing number of my clients are choosing to bypass insurance altogether, for a variety of reasons, and pay "out-of-pocket." Paying "out-of-pocket," also known as "self- pay," is advantageous for many clients. If you wish to consider a self-pay arrangement, I will speak with you about this option. A self-pay arrangement means that treatment is determined between client and therapist, not by an insurance company employee who has never laid eyes on the client. The self-pay option also means therapy will never be cut short because an insurance company determines that you no longer meet their "medical necessity." I will be happy to discuss this issue further with you.