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Are you handicap accessible?
Yes, our office is handicap accessible. Our parking lot has handicap spaces and elevators assisting anyone with need to our office. Additionally, our office has been designed to accommodate those who are in wheelchairs or who may have other physical challenges.
Do you accept insurance?
Yes, we accept many insurance and employee assistance (EAP) plans. You may call our office to inquire about whether or not we accept your insurance.
What are the risks/benefits of using insurance?
Surprisingly, there are risks and benefits for using your insurance benefits. The main benefit is lower cost due to a low copay or percentage paid by the patient. The risks for using your insurance is that we are required to provide a diagnosis to your insurance carrier in order to receive payment for services. There are some diagnoses or conditions that are not covered by your insurance and would be your responsibility anyway. Additionally, the information we provide to your insurance company may have some impact on your privacy, and may affect your ability to get future health insurance.
What is my financial responsibility for your services?
If you are using insurance, your insurance often has a designated co-pay or share of cost (co-insurance) percentage. Often times your insurance plan has a deductible you must meet before they begin to pay for services. Because all insurance plans are different, please check with your insurance prior to making your appointment. We are happy to assist you in answering any questions you may have about your plan.
When are payments for services due?
Payment is due on the date of service.
What is your cancellation policy?
Because your appointment is a slot of time reserved for you, we require 48 hour notice for cancellation to allow us the opportunity to refill that time slot with someone else who is in need of our services. If you cancel your appointment with less than 48 hour notice, you will be charged and billed directly for your missed session.
How long will I be in therapy?
This is a very common question, but one that is not easily answered. Because everyone’s needs and problems are unique and varied, it is difficult to assess how long one will need therapy. It usually takes 4-6 sessions in order for your provider to affectively assess your situation. It is recommended that sessions be on a weekly basis. It is not uncommon for psychotherapy to last for one year or more, but again, this depends on the problems being addressed and the diagnosis being treated.
Why/how is therapy helpful?
Therapy can help individuals to overcome challenges, experience emotional growth, and feel more confident. Our goal is to help patients use existing strengths and resources to more effectively overcome stressors. We achieve this goal by teaching clients new ways of coping with or solving problems and by helping clients gain new perspectives or ways of understanding situations. Therapy should help clients feel more equipped and confident about life’s challenges. For some, therapy can target specific issues or problems, including depression, anxiety, or trauma. For others, therapy can be seen as a form of life coaching or a way to optimize satisfaction and achieve greater levels of happiness. Thus, therapy can be beneficial to a range of individuals.
What if I need medication, can you prescribe this for me?
Our practice focuses on the use of psychotherapeutic techniques that have been shown to be effective in treating many disorders effectively without the use of medication. However, there are times when psychotherapy is not enough and medication would be in your benefit. If this is the case, your provider will discuss these options with you and make some recommendations. In many cases your primary care physician can handle your need for psychotropic medications. However, some medications require more specialized training and monitoring; thus, a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner would be recommended to you and we would offer a referral for you.
Are Psychological Testing and Evaluations covered by insurance?
Psychological testing and evaluations are covered by insurance on a very limited basis, and often require preauthorization. There are several exclusionary diagnoses from insurance companies such as ADHD, Autism, or learning problems. Further, insurance companies require a diagnosis or the evaluation to be “medically necessary.” Because insurance companies pay very little for evaluations, we most often do not accept insurance for evaluations except for very limited circumstances. Forensic evaluations are not covered by insurance.
What if I am not comfortable with my provider?
In order for therapy to be effective, it is very important that you feel comfortable and confident with your provider. It is important that a therapeutic alliance is formed between the patient and provider, as this is where the work and change takes place. As professionals, we make efforts to ensure you are getting the best treatment possible. Please discuss any problems or discomfort you are having with your therapist, and we will see about placing you with another provider within our office, or offer you recommendations for other providers in the community.
Is what I discuss in therapy kept confidential?
Absolutely. Confidentiality is something that we as providers hold as our highest priority. Information you provide in therapy will be kept in your file, and will only be divulged or released upon your written authorization. However, you must know that there are some exceptions to confidentiality. These exceptions include: Danger to self or others; any reporting or disclosing of physical or sexual abuse against a child; or abuse against a dependent or helpless adult. Also, upon receipt of a Court Order, we are mandated to release records even without your written authorization.
Yes, our office is handicap accessible. Our parking lot has handicap spaces and elevators assisting anyone with need to our office. Additionally, our office has been designed to accommodate those who are in wheelchairs or who may have other physical challenges.
Do you accept insurance?
Yes, we accept many insurance and employee assistance (EAP) plans. You may call our office to inquire about whether or not we accept your insurance.
What are the risks/benefits of using insurance?
Surprisingly, there are risks and benefits for using your insurance benefits. The main benefit is lower cost due to a low copay or percentage paid by the patient. The risks for using your insurance is that we are required to provide a diagnosis to your insurance carrier in order to receive payment for services. There are some diagnoses or conditions that are not covered by your insurance and would be your responsibility anyway. Additionally, the information we provide to your insurance company may have some impact on your privacy, and may affect your ability to get future health insurance.
What is my financial responsibility for your services?
If you are using insurance, your insurance often has a designated co-pay or share of cost (co-insurance) percentage. Often times your insurance plan has a deductible you must meet before they begin to pay for services. Because all insurance plans are different, please check with your insurance prior to making your appointment. We are happy to assist you in answering any questions you may have about your plan.
When are payments for services due?
Payment is due on the date of service.
What is your cancellation policy?
Because your appointment is a slot of time reserved for you, we require 48 hour notice for cancellation to allow us the opportunity to refill that time slot with someone else who is in need of our services. If you cancel your appointment with less than 48 hour notice, you will be charged and billed directly for your missed session.
How long will I be in therapy?
This is a very common question, but one that is not easily answered. Because everyone’s needs and problems are unique and varied, it is difficult to assess how long one will need therapy. It usually takes 4-6 sessions in order for your provider to affectively assess your situation. It is recommended that sessions be on a weekly basis. It is not uncommon for psychotherapy to last for one year or more, but again, this depends on the problems being addressed and the diagnosis being treated.
Why/how is therapy helpful?
Therapy can help individuals to overcome challenges, experience emotional growth, and feel more confident. Our goal is to help patients use existing strengths and resources to more effectively overcome stressors. We achieve this goal by teaching clients new ways of coping with or solving problems and by helping clients gain new perspectives or ways of understanding situations. Therapy should help clients feel more equipped and confident about life’s challenges. For some, therapy can target specific issues or problems, including depression, anxiety, or trauma. For others, therapy can be seen as a form of life coaching or a way to optimize satisfaction and achieve greater levels of happiness. Thus, therapy can be beneficial to a range of individuals.
What if I need medication, can you prescribe this for me?
Our practice focuses on the use of psychotherapeutic techniques that have been shown to be effective in treating many disorders effectively without the use of medication. However, there are times when psychotherapy is not enough and medication would be in your benefit. If this is the case, your provider will discuss these options with you and make some recommendations. In many cases your primary care physician can handle your need for psychotropic medications. However, some medications require more specialized training and monitoring; thus, a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner would be recommended to you and we would offer a referral for you.
Are Psychological Testing and Evaluations covered by insurance?
Psychological testing and evaluations are covered by insurance on a very limited basis, and often require preauthorization. There are several exclusionary diagnoses from insurance companies such as ADHD, Autism, or learning problems. Further, insurance companies require a diagnosis or the evaluation to be “medically necessary.” Because insurance companies pay very little for evaluations, we most often do not accept insurance for evaluations except for very limited circumstances. Forensic evaluations are not covered by insurance.
What if I am not comfortable with my provider?
In order for therapy to be effective, it is very important that you feel comfortable and confident with your provider. It is important that a therapeutic alliance is formed between the patient and provider, as this is where the work and change takes place. As professionals, we make efforts to ensure you are getting the best treatment possible. Please discuss any problems or discomfort you are having with your therapist, and we will see about placing you with another provider within our office, or offer you recommendations for other providers in the community.
Is what I discuss in therapy kept confidential?
Absolutely. Confidentiality is something that we as providers hold as our highest priority. Information you provide in therapy will be kept in your file, and will only be divulged or released upon your written authorization. However, you must know that there are some exceptions to confidentiality. These exceptions include: Danger to self or others; any reporting or disclosing of physical or sexual abuse against a child; or abuse against a dependent or helpless adult. Also, upon receipt of a Court Order, we are mandated to release records even without your written authorization.
Frequently Asked Questions
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