Frequently Asked Questions

People seek therapy services for themselves and for their children for a variety of reasons. Making the decision to come to therapy can be a difficult step. Most of us try to "tough it out" and work through things on our own before realizing that getting help will make things easier. Making the call to set up an appointment and coming in for the first time are probably the hardest steps for most people.

I offer a FREE initial consultation either by phone or in office. The free consultation will last 20 minutes and gives you a chance to see my office, meet me, ask questions about my experience and expertise and see if it is a “good fit” for you and your family.

So what can you expect from starting therapy.

I offer a safe and nonjudgmental place where you can talk about the challenges you are facing.  I want you to feel safe and comfortable with me.  I’ve outlined the basics of what you can expect and hope this will help you feel at ease with the process. 

Appointments

Appointments are 50 minutes in length. It is typically best to meet every week to establish a strong therapeutic relationship and get to the core of the issues. As treatment progresses and you and I see that progress has been made, we can talk about changing the frequency of appointments if needed.

Arriving at My Office

When you arrive at my office, please have a seat in the waiting room and I will come out to get you at your scheduled time. There are also toys and books located in the waiting room to assist the children in waiting quietly in the waiting room until their scheduled time. Restrooms are located in the hallway of the building just outside the door of my office. It is usually best to have your child use the restroom prior to beginning the session, so that we can make the best use of our time together.

Assessment Sessions

Typically, the first and second sessions are assessment sessions. Usually at the first session I will meet with the parents only and then the second session will include your child. You will fill out initial paperwork and assessment measures, as well as meet with me to get to know you and discuss the issues and challenges you and your family are dealing with. We talk about how those issues are causing problems and look at specific things you want to change. 

Therapy Sessions

During the process of therapy I will also do a brief family history. This helps give me a snapshot of where you came from and how you got to be where you are today.

We will set up a treatment plan together. This will provide us with a road map to achieve your treatment goals and help to understand what will be different in your life when therapy is complete.

We’ll also talk about strategies to help you feel better and practical things you can do to move yourself and family in a new direction.  I will often ask you and your child to try things at home so that you can continue to working towards your goals.

Late Arrivals, Cancellations and No show Appointments

Consistent appointments are essential to successful treatment. Your appointment time is reserved specifically for you. It is important to arrive on time as the length of a typical session is 50 minutes and missed time will not be made up for at the end of the session. In the event that you will be late for your appointment or that you need to reschedule, please contact me as soon as possible.  In the event that you need to cancel your appointment, at least a 24 hours notice is required or it will be considered a late cancellation and you will be charged 50% of the standard session fee. No-show will be charged 100% of standard session fees.

Session Fees

Individual Therapy and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy is $120 per 50 minute session. 

All services are payable at the time services are provided. I accept cash, check or credit card.

If your insurance allows you to be reimbursed for non-participating providers, I will provide you with a superbill to submit to your insurance company.