FAQ

Is counseling right for me?

Maybe. There are two primary indicators that can predict whether counseling will be effective for you: 1. your openness to the counseling process 2. the quality of the therapeutic relationship that you and your counselor are able to develop. These two questions are not easy to answer. Get in touch with me for a free consultation to figure out whether counseling will be a worthwhile endeavor for you. Even if you and I do not work together, I will be able to guide you to other options that might support your needs.

Why do so many people seek counseling?

Seeking out counseling is an individual choice. There are many reasons why people choose to work towards self-growth. Sometimes they want to deal with long-standing psychological issues, or problems with anxiety or depression. Other times it’s in response to unexpected life changes, such as a divorce or work transitions. Therapy can help address many types of issues including depression, anxiety, body-image issues, conflict, grief, stress management and general life transitions. At the very least, counseling can be a helpful process for someone seeking greater self-awareness. And at most, and more often, counseling is a life-changing process that results in immense growth that reverberates in the years to come.

What is counseling like?

Every therapy session is unique and caters to an individual and their specific goals. It is standard for counselors to discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life during sessions. It is common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each session lasts around forty-five minutes. Therapy can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. 

Is medication a substitute for therapy?

In some cases, a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. Working with your MD, you can determine what’s best for you. It is well established that mental and emotional problems, and the pain they cause, cannot be solved solely by medication in the long-term. Instead of 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.

I can usually handle my problems. Do I really need counseling?

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated many difficulties you’ve faced, there’s nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. Having enough self-awareness to realize when you need a helping hand, is to be admired. Asking for support is not weakness, it’s resourcefulness.

How will counseling help me?

If you’re ready for it, several benefits can emerge from participating in psychotherapy. Counselors can provide a fresh perspective on difficult problems or point you in the direction for a solution.  Some of the benefits can include:

• 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
• Better management of powerful emotions such as anger, grief, and depression
• Improving communications 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

Do you accept insurance?

I accept the following insurance plans:

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

Optum

United Healthcare (UHC)

I am also an out-of-network provider for other insurance plans. What this means is that while insurance is not accepted directly, I am able to provide you with the documentation (known as a superbill) necessary to receive reimbursement from your insurance company.

How do I know if my insurance company will reimburse me for sessions?

The best way to learn how much you will be reimbursed is to contact your insurance provider directly. I recommend calling prior to the start of therapy to determine your specific out-of-network benefits. This is especially important as reimbursement rates vary depending on the specific plan.

To assist you in your call here are some questions you can ask:

• Do I have out-of-network benefits for mental/behavioral health?
• If so, what percentage of these sessions do you cover?
• What is the deductible and how much of the deductible have I met?
• Is there a session limit?
• If so, how many and in what time period?
• Do I need pre-authorization?
• How can I access the necessary forms to submit for reimbursement?
• When can I expect to receive my reimbursement following submission?

Insurance providers often need to be provided with a specific CPT code for the service received. The CPT code for a 45-minute individual therapy session is 90834, and for an intake assessment, the CPT code is 90791. Should you decide to submit for reimbursement, your insurance company will process your claim and reimburse you directly.

What is your cancellation policy?

I ask that you provide as much notice as possible if you need to reschedule or cancel a session. If a session is canceled less than 24 hours prior to the scheduled session time, a fee will be charged.

What can I expect in my first session?

As with any new relationship, it can take time to build trust and understanding. The purpose of the initial session is to begin to foster open communication and insight so I can gain a true understanding of your life. This first session will be 60 minutes in length and serves as the foundation for our work moving forward. It is my hope that during this time we can identify your current needs and develop an individualized plan.

How often do we meet?

While I typically meet with clients once a week for 45-50 minutes, session frequency does vary based on the presenting problem, urgency, and identified areas of growth. However, during our initial session, we will agree on a frequency that is both comfortable as well as meets your needs.

How long does the overall process last?

With an approach that is growth-orientated, the duration of treatment is different for each client. However, if you are seeking focused short-term work, I will be happy to discuss this with you and assist you in setting realistic and appropriate goals for our time frame.