What kind of therapy do you practice?
What can I expect during our sessions?
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 and a treatment plan to follow, 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 commitment of time, money, and energy, so you should be thoughtful about the therapist you select. If you have questions about my procedures or the work we are doing, we should discuss them whenever they arise.
How do I pay for therapy?
In order for us to set realistic treatment goals and priorities, it is important to evaluate what resources you have available to pay for your treatment. If you have a health insurance policy, it should provide some coverage for mental health treatment. I am not a participating provider in any insurance networks. However, I will fill out forms and provide assistance to help you receive the insurance benefits to which you are entitled. You will be expected to pay for each session at the time it is held, unless we agree otherwise. In circumstances of financial hardship, I may be willing to negotiate a fee adjustment or payment installment plan. Please remember that you (not your insurance company) are responsible for full payment of my fees. It is very important that you find out exactly what mental health services your insurance policy covers.
What is psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is not easily described in general statements. It varies depending on the personalities of the psychologist and patient, and the particular problems you are experiencing. There are many different methods I may use to deal with the problems that you hope to address. Psychotherapy is not like a medical doctor visit. Instead, it calls for an active effort on your part. In order for the therapy to be most successful, you will have to work on things we talk about both during our sessions and at home. Progress is made based on an interactive collaboration in the therapeutic relationship.
Psychotherapy can have many benefits but it also has risks. Since therapy often involves discussing upsetting aspects of your life, you may experience uncomfortable feelings. On the other hand, psychotherapy has also been proven to have many benefits. Therapy often leads to better relationships, solutions to specific problems, and significant reductions in feelings of distress. But there are no guarantees of what you will experience or that you will feel better.
What is EMDR?
EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) is a comprehensive method of psychotherapy that has been proven very successful in treating overwhelming emotional distress. See the EMDR page for more information.