Frequently Asked Questions
Why don't you accept insurance?
This is a complicated answer that has to a lot do with the overall medical model of categorizing psychological problems and difficulties as disorders. I believe in protecting your privacy and confidentiality, and do not want to define your problems in terms of disease. Insurance companies require a diagnosis and detailed information about your treatment or they will not reimburse for services rendered. In most circumstances, I will view your presenting concerns and life problems as "growing pains" rather than signs of mental illness or pathology. I believe that the medical model of treatment can, quite often, pathologize normal behaviors and reactions to extraordinary situations. If you would like to read more about the insurance coverage and psychotherapy double bind, please read this article or check out this blog.
What can I expect during a first session?
Our first session together is a time for us to get to know each other. It gives me the opportunity to learn what you are seeking in your treatment and discuss with you how I can help you. This is also a time for you to feel how it is to be with me. Committing to be in therapy with a particular therapist may feel like an overwhelming decision. There is no commitment in the beginning of therapy and I suggest that you give yourself a few sessions to decide if it feels like a good fit. For adolescents, I generally request that the parents attend at least the first session. After the initial session, we will discuss how best to proceed. In addition to getting to know each other, we will agree on a fee, and discuss the frequency of meeting, which is often once per week for a 50 minute session.
How long will the process of therapy take?
The length of treatment is highly variable. Clients may be in therapy for a few sessions to a few years. The length of time spent in therapy depends on your therapy goals, how long standing symptoms or issues of treatment are, your effort to engage in the therapeutic process, and our ability to work together effectively. Some people begin therapy with a very specific area that they want to address and this can be resolved in a short course of treatment. Whereas, others may have a more general problem area and they may need more time to explore the antecedents of the problem, as well as the factors that are contributing to feeling stuck in a particular area.
In addition, clients vary in what they would like out of the course of treatment. Some people want to develop a long-term relationship which they utilize to support them in examining patterns of behaving and relating. Others want the therapeutic relationship to be more goal-oriented and short-term.
The length of treatment will be discussed and together we will decide what best suits your needs. You may always discontinue therapy at any time. None of my clients are in therapy involuntarily.
What are the benefits of yoga and meditation?
In addition to gaining strength and flexibility, research has shown that yoga and meditation can decrease stress, reduce depression, anxiety, pain, and insomnia, increase the ability to focus, and increase overall quality of life.
This is a complicated answer that has to a lot do with the overall medical model of categorizing psychological problems and difficulties as disorders. I believe in protecting your privacy and confidentiality, and do not want to define your problems in terms of disease. Insurance companies require a diagnosis and detailed information about your treatment or they will not reimburse for services rendered. In most circumstances, I will view your presenting concerns and life problems as "growing pains" rather than signs of mental illness or pathology. I believe that the medical model of treatment can, quite often, pathologize normal behaviors and reactions to extraordinary situations. If you would like to read more about the insurance coverage and psychotherapy double bind, please read this article or check out this blog.
What can I expect during a first session?
Our first session together is a time for us to get to know each other. It gives me the opportunity to learn what you are seeking in your treatment and discuss with you how I can help you. This is also a time for you to feel how it is to be with me. Committing to be in therapy with a particular therapist may feel like an overwhelming decision. There is no commitment in the beginning of therapy and I suggest that you give yourself a few sessions to decide if it feels like a good fit. For adolescents, I generally request that the parents attend at least the first session. After the initial session, we will discuss how best to proceed. In addition to getting to know each other, we will agree on a fee, and discuss the frequency of meeting, which is often once per week for a 50 minute session.
How long will the process of therapy take?
The length of treatment is highly variable. Clients may be in therapy for a few sessions to a few years. The length of time spent in therapy depends on your therapy goals, how long standing symptoms or issues of treatment are, your effort to engage in the therapeutic process, and our ability to work together effectively. Some people begin therapy with a very specific area that they want to address and this can be resolved in a short course of treatment. Whereas, others may have a more general problem area and they may need more time to explore the antecedents of the problem, as well as the factors that are contributing to feeling stuck in a particular area.
In addition, clients vary in what they would like out of the course of treatment. Some people want to develop a long-term relationship which they utilize to support them in examining patterns of behaving and relating. Others want the therapeutic relationship to be more goal-oriented and short-term.
The length of treatment will be discussed and together we will decide what best suits your needs. You may always discontinue therapy at any time. None of my clients are in therapy involuntarily.
What are the benefits of yoga and meditation?
In addition to gaining strength and flexibility, research has shown that yoga and meditation can decrease stress, reduce depression, anxiety, pain, and insomnia, increase the ability to focus, and increase overall quality of life.