QUESTIONS AND INFORMATION
If you don't see your question below, feel free to contact me
WHAT ARE YOUR FEES?
I offer a free phone consultation during which we can discuss rates. Because I am an out-of-network provider, you are entitled to a good faith estimate of the cost of care prior to beginning services.
DO YOU TAKE INSURANCE?
I am not paneled with any insurance companies. This is to protect your privacy and to maintain the focus of treatment on health rather than on protecting an insurance company's bottom line.
For those interested in using insurance, I am an out of network provider, meaning that you may be eligible for reimbursement from your insurance company for our work together. To facilitate this, I can provide you with billing documentation (a "superbill") at your request that you can submit to your insurance company.
Some important questions to ask your insurance company:
-Am I eligible for out of network benefits for mental health?
-If so, what services are covered?
-What portion of the fee will I be reimbursed?
-Am I able to pick any provider out of network?
-Do I need any form of pre-authorization for using out of network benefits?
-How do I submit the "superbill" to get reimbursement?
DO YOU OFFER SLIDING SCALE RATES?
I reserve a portion of my caseload for patients who are able to pay a reduced rate. If you are interested in finding out more, please give a call and we can discuss this together.
HOW LONG DOES EACH THERAPY SESSION TAKE?
Sessions typically last 45-50 minutes. The reason that a "clinical hour" is shorter than 60 minutes is to account for the time I spend working for you when you are not in the room--such as documenting our work together and speaking with you by phone.
New intakes for therapy typically last between 60 and 90 minutes.
HOW LONG DOES TREATMENT LAST?
Because treatment is personalized, the answer depends on your needs and interests. Some people are satisfied with the amount of treatment they receive after 2-3 months. Some people have more complex difficulties requiring longer term care, lasting months or over a year. I do not have one timeline I impose on every patient. However, I do discuss treatment timelines with patients regularly and am transparent about my recommendations.
DO YOU USE EVIDENCE-BASED THERAPIES?
Yes. Evidence-Based Practice in Psychology (EBPP), according to the American Psychological Association, is a combination of the best research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient characteristics, values, and contexts. Only by relying upon all three pillars of EBPP is a therapy truly evidence-based.
HOW IS "NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING" DIFFERENT FROM PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT?
Sometimes people--even professionals--confuse neuropsychological assessment and psychological assessment.
Neuropsychological testing or assessment is typically focused on behavioral functioning with known ties to specific brain regions. For example, neuropsychological testing can help localize where traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) have occurred, assist neurosurgeons in determining risks and benefits of particular operations, or determining whether someone is experiencing cognitive impairment or decline.
In contrast, psychological assessment is more focused on the personality and psychiatric functioning of the individual, regardless of their underlying neurology. This includes testing for cognitive ability and can include tests for common diagnoses, such as ADHD, as well.
Both types of assessment are important. I provide psychological assessment to help bring understanding to the experiences an adolescent is having as well as to bring a sense of direction for treatment.