Is therapy right for me?
Seeking out therapy is an individual choice. There are many reasons why
people come to therapy. Sometimes it is to deal with long-standing
psychological issues, or problems with anxiety or depression. Other times it
is in response to unexpected changes in one's life such as a divorce or work
transition. Many seek the advice of a therapist as they pursue their own
personal exploration and growth. Working with a therapist can help provide
insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges.
Therapy can help address many types of issues including depression, anxiety,
conflict, grief, stress management, body-image issues, and general life
transitions. Therapy is right for anyone who is interested in getting the
most out of their life by taking responsibility, creating greater
self-awareness, and working towards change in their lives.
How can therapy help me?
A number of benefits are available from participating in psychotherapy:
- Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
- Developing skills for improving your relationships
- Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
- Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
- Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
- Improving communication and listening skills
- Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
- Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
- Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
Is medication a substitute for therapy?
In some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of
action. Working with your medical doctor you can determine what's best for
you. It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and
emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by
medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the
cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. You
can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with
an integrative approach to wellness.
Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work?
I'm not contracted with insurance companies. My policy is to collect my full fee, and then provide you with an invoice should you choose to seek reimbursement from your insurance carrier. Insurance companies do not reimburse for court ordered services.
To determine if you have mental health coverage, the first thing you should do is check with your insurance carrier. Check your coverage carefully and find the answers to the following questions:
- What are my mental health benefits?
- What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
- How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
- Does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
- Do I need prior authorization before initiating services?
Is therapy confidential?
In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications
between a client and psychotherapist. No information is disclosed without
prior written permission from the client.
However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:
- Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
- If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist is required to notify the police.
- If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.
