WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR VISIT

Guiding You On the Path of Self-Healing

Perhaps you're down or anxious - maybe you're unsure about the future of a relationship, or just feel that you aren't living the life you were meant to lead. Whatever your needs may be, I am here to offer support. Therapy is a process of growth and self-discovery. 

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Assessment

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I complete a comprehensive assessment prior to beginning any counseling that typically lasts for 1 to 1.5 hours. The information I gather in this assessment includes mental health and substance abuse history, general medical information, social history, strengths and weaknesses, as well as treatment goals. My method of interviewing includes reflective listening and motivational interviewing, which allows me to work with you to assess your desire to participate in treatment.

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Use of Diagnosis

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Most insurance companies will require a diagnosis of a mental health condition to allow for reimbursement of my services.  Some conditions for which people seek counseling do not qualify for reimbursement.  If a qualifying diagnosis is appropriate in your case, I will inform you of the diagnosis before we submit the diagnosis to the health insurance company.  Any diagnosis made will become part of your permanent insurance records.

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What to Expect In Our Work

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I am currently able to provide individual counseling sessions to address the needs of my client. I use an eclectic approach to my therapy, pulling techniques from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Expressive Arts, Yoga, Emotional Freedom Technique/Tapping, and Sensate Focus for couples work.

Therapy is a process of applying theories and techniques that use behavioral, somatic, cognitive and systemic strategies to address mental health, past incidents, wellness, growth, and development. I believe that people innately have many skills and abilities that will help them reduce the influence of stressors in their lives and my role is to help reinforce those abilities as well as provide education on other skills that could be helpful. Using cognitive and somatic techniques, along with mindfulness practices, a person can become empowered to make the changes needed to cope with the ups and downs of life.

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Along with the many benefits of counseling come risks. Since counseling may involve discussing unpleasant or uncomfortable aspects of your life, you may experience feelings such as sadness, guilt, anger, frustration, loneliness, shame, and/or helplessness. Counseling allows you to process your feelings and can lead to better relationships, solutions to problems, and relief from feelings of distress. There are no guarantees of what you will experience from counseling, though. In order for you to achieve the most benefit from counseling, you will have to be engaged in your therapy sessions and practice skills outside of therapy to meet your personal goals.

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A typical counseling session lasts 50 minutes (clinical hour). Length of treatment depends on your individual needs. We will discuss possible length of service during your initial assessment after we determine what needs are there, but please note this could change as treatment progresses

Prior to our assessment, I will obtain your credit card and store this in your electronic medical record. I will bill any treatment fees/copays the morning of our session. I will notify you of any additional charges in writing and secure the client portal message and charge the credit card on file 10 days after notice. If your credit card is declined, the fee must be collected prior to your session or the session will not occur.

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Insurance 

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Rates for therapy are set by my contract with your insurance company. I will collect copays or the amount determined to meet your deductible. Please note that I must obtain consent to release information to your insurance company. Also note that by consenting for me to bill your insurance for counseling services, I may be obligated to provide your medical records to the insurance company upon request.

You may also choose to forgo your insurance benefits. If this is the case, you will sign a form forgoing your right to submit paperwork to your insurance provider seeking reimbursement.

If you change insurance companies and/or no longer are insured, please notify your therapists immediately to develop a plan to move to the cash rate for sessions.