Frequently Asked Questions
Where to begin?
Therapy is both an art and a science and varies greatly from therapist to therapist. Within my clinical lens, I believe that we all have the inner wisdom we need to live full satisfying lives. Usually what creates problems in life is when we don’t honor our own experience and listen to ourselves. Whether I am offering you couples therapy or individual therapy my goal is to support you as you learn to develop a relationship with yourself that you trust and can lean into for that inner wisdom that you need. Sorting out if I am the person who’s going to help you get there is your first decision! In talking with me I am hoping you are going to feel comfortable, hopeful that things can change, challenged knowing you’re the one who’s going to have to do your own work, and confident that you have a good guide.
Confidentiality
The therapeutic relationship is one that I consider sacred and it is built on confidentiality and trust. The private things that people share with me involve pain, heartbreak, and trauma, and are shared with me because they feel it is a safe space to do so knowing there is confidentiality. I want to uphold that trust agreement given to me by keeping private the things that have been shared with me in confidence. You are protected by HIPAA which mandates that nothing can be shared without your expressed permission in writing. I take this very seriously.
Individual or couples therapy?
Figuring out whether you need individual or couples therapy is often a confusing place. Couples therapy will allow for individual growth despite the focus on the relationship between you and your partner. I have a bias that working with both people in the relationship is the quickest way to fix it. Sometimes individuals may be less clear about what they want and what they are feeling, to manage the couples therapy process with confidence and individual therapy may be more appropriate. We can discuss this during a 20-minute consultation call.
What is the process like?
The first step is to schedule a free, no-obligation, 20-minute consultation call. We will discuss what you want to work on in therapy and I will discuss the change process. If it feels like I am a good fit for your work I will send out intake paperwork and schedule your first appointment.
Our first few therapy sessions will involve an assessment of your therapy needs and goals. There are several possible outcomes of this initial assessment, as it is an opportunity for us to decide if working together may be beneficial for you. If my therapeutic approach appears to fit with your individual goals, I will offer you some first impressions of what our work will include if you decide to continue with therapy. I encourage you to evaluate this information, along with your own opinions of whether you feel comfortable working with me, in deciding whether to continue with therapy.
If our work together feels right, we then continue on with therapy where we unpack the experiences, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors which have been blocking you from living your best life.
How long does therapy take?
Therapy lasts as short as possible and as long as it takes. That sounds nonsensical but it’s true!
Therapy works best when people come weekly. It allows them to create traction on their problems mostly because you can’t change what you don’t notice. Change is hard and takes time to establish new ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving. At times people find themselves in crisis and need more support in the beginning. Meeting twice weekly until things calm down can be a good intervention. Sessions are typically 50 minutes long. They may be scheduled for larger blocks of time if discussed and agreed upon.
You will know when you no longer need it because you will have either resolved your problems, run out of things to discuss with me, or felt you have done enough growing for now. You have the final say about ending treatment. Sometimes therapy gets stalled due to not bringing in the most important feelings you are experiencing. I hope you do collaborate with me on this and allow feedback from me - sometimes it allows us to realign - but at the end of the day, you call it.
Do I get a mental health diagnosis when working with you?
You do get a diagnosis but it’s not shared with your healthcare plan unless you are using out-of-network benefits to pay for your therapy. All insurance requires the use of a mental health diagnosis in order for reimbursement. You can bypass the diagnosis being shared with insurance by paying for therapy privately. It should be noted that insurance does not reimburse for all mental health diagnoses given.
Who do you work with?
I am licensed in the states of Maryland and Pennsylvania. I currently only offer telehealth so I am able to offer services to people in both states. If using out-of-network benefits please call your plan to verify that they are reimbursing for therapy being delivered via telehealth as not all plans do.
My specialization in relationships, intimacy, and sex therapy does not exclude anyone. I serve both straight and LGBTQA clients. People who are sick and tired of being sick and tired and are ready to dig in and work are my favorite clients!
Do you have evening appointments?
Yes, I do but they are the most valued and go quickly. Being available in the mornings and afternoons will ensure your immediate scheduling with me.
What is your hourly fee and can I use insurance?
My fee is $275 per clinical hour. I am not paneled with any insurance plans but can offer you what’s called, “out-of-network benefits” (OONB). Not everyone has this as part of their benefits package but most OONB plans pay between 50% to 80% of my fee. Please call your healthcare plan and ask these questions:
Do I have out-of-network benefits?
What percentage of my therapist’s fee does my plan pay for?
Do I have a deductible that needs to be met before my plan pays toward my therapy?
My insurance asked for the billing codes you would be using, what do you use?
At times insurance plans request upfront billing codes I will be using. You can share this list of codes for their approval:
90791 Psychiatric Diagnostic Assessment (from 2-4 sessions depending on the problem)
90847 Family Psychotherapy, conjoint psychotherapy with the patient present
90837 Psychotherapy, 60 minutes
90846 Psychotherapy without the patient present
90832 Psychotherapy, 30 minutes
When using OONB, I would provide you with a document monthly called a “superbill” which is like an invoice but contains the service codes, dates of treatment, and monies paid during therapy with me. You would submit this to your plan directly and your plan would reimburse you directly as well.
You can get in-network therapy if this is out of your budget. Your plan can identify providers who are in-network should you need to use your benefits.
How are my records stored?
I utilize a HIPAA-compliant, encrypted, electronic medical record called Simple Practice that holds all of my client’s mental health records safely in it. You will get a link to a client portal where you fill in demographic information and can access documents like invoices and superbills on your own.
How do I pay you?
Simple Practice has a credit card processing system named Stripe embedded in it. If choosing to work with me you would upload your credit card number and I would tap the card after each session or late cancelation for the fee. I only have access to the last 4 digits of your card and it is completely secured.
Do you have a cancelation policy?
I have a 48- business hour cancelation policy You will be responsible for an entire session fee of $275 if the change is made in less than 48 business hours’ notice. Exceptions may be made for emergencies such as sudden illness or accident, at my discretion. It should be noted that insurance does not reimburse for canceled sessions.
Have any more questions?
No question is a stupid question, please call me with anything you are unclear about! I look forward to talking with you!