Question 1

How do I prepare for TeleMental Health sessions?

Accepted Answer

I am happy to provide a checklist that will help you prepare for and maintain privacy during TeleMental Health sessions. Whenever you attend an online (video) therapy session, please always: 
 • Join sessions from a state that that I am licensed in and, preferably, your state of residence. For example, if you are a Pennsylvania resident, you must be located in Pennsylvania whenever you join sessions.
 • Attend sessions from a room in which you will be alone and have complete privacy with no distractions, such as TV or other people. 
 • Make sure that you are attending sessions from a room with a door and ensure that the door is closed or locked, if possible. 
 • Join sessions from a private area that also provides good lighting.    
 • Join sessions from a safe, stationary setting. Clients are not permitted to attend sessions from a public area, while they are a passenger in a moving vehicle, or while they are driving a vehicle.  Please keep in mind that I will cancel our session if you attempt to join whenever any of the aforementioned scenarios apply.  
 • Refrain from multitasking during sessions by watching TV, working, or web surfing, for example. 
 • Ensure that you are located in an area that provides a stable and secure internet connection.  
 • Use your own private, secure device such as a phone, tablet, or laptop to join sessions. 
 • Sit upright and turn your camera on—and have it positioned at eye level.

Question 2

What happens during the first few sessions?

Accepted Answer

During the first two sessions, we explore your main concerns and symptoms. We also complete a full biopsychosocial assessment, which involves gathering information about various aspects of your history–e.g., family/developmental–to better understand your overall present-day functioning and identify sources of resilience.

At the end of either the first or second session, we explore your expectations and hopes for therapy, as well as discuss your treatment goals and preferred or recommended interventions.

During the first or second session, we also determine whether or not we are a good fit to continue working together. If you would benefit from a higher level of care/more frequent care or specialized support that I am not trained to provide, I will refer you to another clinician.

Question 3

How often do we meet for sessions?

Accepted Answer

Clients schedule sessions weekly or biweekly (every other week). Weekly sessions are highly recommended at the start of treatment so that we can cover more ground with building a rapport and completing your assessment before working on your first treatment goal.

Weekly sessions are highly recommended and preferred for clients who are a fit for and are participating in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy.(https://drive.google.com/file/d/1f0cYEAXgOM40Q2100xZyxWPPLDk995tY/view?usp=drive_link)

If you are a weekly client, you are more than welcome to switch to biweekly sessions once your symptoms have improved or so long as you are not experiencing active crisis or heightened stressors. Monthly sessions are only reserved for clients who are feeling better and have already met their treatment goals but would still like to check in occasionally for progress maintenance.

If you do not schedule a session or do not communicate about scheduling one for three consecutive weeks, I must assume that you aren't interested in continuing therapy and close your case file.

Question 4

How long are the sessions?

Accepted Answer

All sessions are 60 minutes long and must last at least 53 minutes to meet insurance billing standards.

Question 5

How long will I be in therapy?

Accepted Answer

I am a long-term therapist, which means that I typically work with clients for at least six months to one year. However, the amount of time you spend in therapy will vary based on factors including symptom intensity and duration, treatment goal(s), session frequency, session affordability, insurance coverage, and personal preference.

Although you will be legally required to provide your written consent to engage in psychotherapy and telehealth services, you have the right to end treatment at any time.

Question 6

Is therapy confidential?

Accepted Answer

What we discuss during our sessions will remain confidential. However, I must break confidentiality during certain circumstances, such as if:

1. You make a disclosure that raises suspicion of child abuse or neglect.
2. Your records are subpoenaed by the court and a limited or no release request is not granted.
3. You disclose plans to harm yourself or someone else.

To read additional details about the limits to confidentiality, please view my Notice of Privacy Practices (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1U7RmDaF-0s7qZPNG4A7-sauqlwiVwrAj/view?usp=sharing)form.

Question 7

Who do you work with?

Accepted Answer

I work with adults ages 18 to 65 and offer individual therapy.

I enjoy supporting young adult and middle-aged women who have experienced chronic shame, imposter syndrome, complex trauma, sexual trauma, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, race-based workplace stressors, and boundary-setting/people-pleasing issues.

If you require a higher level or specialized form of care (e.g., intensive outpatient or eating disorder treatment, respectively), I will refer you to work with another provider. I do not specialize in providing care to those seeking treatment for self-harm, psychosis, severe suicidality/homicidality, eating disorders, active substance use, or sex addiction.

Referrals to work with a psychiatrist for diagnostic evaluation and/or ongoing medication management are available to current clients upon request or after assessing and determining that such a referral would be best for your care. Clients are more than welcome to simultaneously engage in psychotherapy and medication management.

Question 8

Do you accept insurance?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I partner with third-party platforms, Headway and Grow Therapy, that manage my insurance contracts and handle session billing.

Please contact your insurance carrier before starting sessions to review your benefits, as well as verify your mental health coverage, expected co-payment for outpatient therapy, and deductible (if applicable).

I currently accept the following insurance plans for individuals in the following states:

Question 9

How much do sessions cost?

Accepted Answer

I accept various insurance plans, and I also work with cash or self-pay clients.

Please contact your insurance carrier before starting sessions to review your benefits, as well as verify your mental health coverage, expected co-payment for outpatient therapy, and deductible (if applicable).

For clients who are uninsured or would prefer not to use insurance to cover sessions, my standard self-pay rate is $175. Due to the passage of the No Surprises Act in 2022, if you pay for sessions out of pocket, you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate form that will explain much therapy could cost if you were to attend sessions for one year on a consistent weekly or biweekly basis.

Question 10

What are your hours and availability?

Accepted Answer

All appointments are available on a first come, first served basis. Although not required, many clients prefer to select a designated appointment day and time slot, and this slot will remain reserved for those clients who consistently attend sessions.

I schedule appointments on Mondays through Wednesdays from 10am to 6pm and on Thursdays from 10am to 1pm. Please keep in mind that I do not book same-day sessions, but I am able to schedule appointments at least 24 hours in advance (if my availability permits). Late afternoon and evening sessions are very limited and reserved for clients who work a standard 9am to 5pm schedule or are unable to meet during the morning or early afternoon.

Please note that I do not provide crisis or emergency services. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, dial 911 or go to your nearest emergency room immediately. If you need mental health crisis support, dial 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Question 11

What are your cancellation and no-show policies?

Accepted Answer

If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please let me know at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment time. Clients who do not provide 24 hours notice will automatically be charged the late cancellation fee ($100).

Also, I offer a grace period to provide clients with additional time to join the session if they are running late. I will wait 10 minutes for clients to join the session. If you are unable to join your session within the first 10 minutes of your scheduled appointment time, your session will be cancelled and you will automatically be charged the $100 no-show fee.

Please keep in mind that the late cancellation and no-show policies apply to self-pay clients and clients who use insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

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