FAQs

What can I expect at the first visit?

I typically use the initial session to attain a more complete understanding of who you are as a person. This means that I need to know your personal “story,” as you see it, in your own words. I assess why you are seeking therapy and talk with you about the history of your current problems as well as how you cope with them. I may ask about your history of relationships, your family background, and obtain some relevant medical information. Once I have gathered enough information, I will then summarize how I view your current problems and we will discuss how we can best work together to get you feeling better and obtain your personal goals. The first session is also an opportunity for you to determine how comfortable you feel with me and whether you see me as the right “fit” for you personally.

We may need several sessions before determining how best to work together. While I certainly try to gather all relevant information and impressions in the initial session, this process can sometimes take a bit longer. I take your concerns seriously and, therefore, prioritize understanding you as fully as possible rather than simply aim for efficiency.

How long will I be in therapy?

The length of time it takes for you to feel better or achieve your therapy goals depends on your individual circumstances. My primary objective is to help you obtain what you need from therapy. I work just as frequently with clients in short-term therapy as I do with those who may require longer-term therapy.

As you may be aware, health insurance companies often place a limit on the number of therapy visits they will reimburse. While some clients use up only a portion of these allowed visits, other clients require longer treatment than their insurance permits. If your circumstances require frequent therapy sessions and you exhaust your insurance benefits before completing therapy, we can address this situation before your benefits run out; we will discuss options for continuing therapy in a way that is financially manageable.

How often will I need to come in to see you?

How often you come to therapy depends on your needs and circumstances. While I most often see clients once a week, it is not unusual for me to see clients more frequently. It is also common for some clients to come in every other week if they feel they can cope reasonably well with their life stressors. Some clients may need initially to attend sessions several times a week, but then gradually taper the frequency of their sessions as they feel better.

What kind of therapy do you do?

While I assume a flexible, personalized approach to therapy, I tend to incorporate assumptions from both cognitive behavioral therapy and psychodynamic therapy. Cognitive behavior therapy is a type of therapy that assumes problems derive from how we think about ourselves, others, and our future. So, if we hold negative views of people and the world, we are likely to feel miserable and have interpersonal problems. Cognitive behavior therapy involves changing our perceptions and helps us alter our behavior so that we feel more confident, happier, and comfortable with others.

Psychodynamic therapy assumes that distress derives from developmental (childhood) experiences and contends that psychological symptoms come from internal conflicts and problems relating to others. Psychodynamic therapy can help you overcome problematic relationship patterns (like when you find yourself dating the same type of person repeatedly). It can also help you become aware of feelings and certain aspects of yourself so that you can free yourself from psychological burdens and live a fuller life.

Do you take insurance?

I accept many insurance plans. Typically your insurance will cover a portion of each visit, but the amount you pay is determined by your insurance carrier. I strongly advise you contact your insurance before coming to the first appointment so that you know exactly what services you are covered for.

Please note that I am considered to be an in-network provider under the following plans: