Frequently Asked Questions

Do you accept insurance or will I need to pay for treatment?

Many people pay for psychotherapy and psychological testing with some assistance from insurance coverage, although some choose to pay for it themselves. If you have an insurance plan, like Blue Cross, Aetna, Avmed, Cigna, Humana, United Healthcare, etc., you may use your out-of-network benefits to help pay for therapy with me. You may be responsible for paying a deductible before the insurance company starts chipping in. You will pay more using out-of-network benefits, but that way you can choose the therapist that is best for you. You are not limited to whoever is on your provider panel, and you do not have to wait, or even call many providers who never call you back.

It is also important to keep in mind that insurance plan benefits may not be the same as the treatment you need to feel emotionally healthy. Insurance companies’ interests may not always align with your best interests. They may provide insufficient coverage for the treatment that is needed. And all insurance companies require some information about treatment, leading to a loss of some privacy and confidentiality. I minimize the patient information these companies receive, but controversies are ongoing about the uses they make of your Protected Health Information (PHI).

How long does therapy take?

I try not to rush an important process that could make a difference in your life. In Aesop’s ancient fable about the race between the speedy hare and the slow tortoise, my money is always on the tortoise—gradual, steady progress that wins the race, not superficial change that can easily be reversed. There has to be a good fit between my approach, which is not for everyone, and your expectations regarding therapy. But I need to give you more than the advice and support you can get from family and friends for free. Can you delay finding solutions to problems long enough to understand the emotional workings that give rise to those problems? If so, you may be able to address the source of your problems in lasting ways. It takes time and practice to build the emotional muscle needed to cope effectively with your inner and outer world. Change that occurs overnight is not true change.

If you would like to learn more about my approach, please contact me to set up a consultation so we can put our heads together and decide if this approach is right for you.