What can I expect in a first session?

A first session is called an “intake assessment” where we meet for the first time, and I can really learn more about you, your wants and needs, and how I can best support you on your healing journey. I typically start a first session by reviewing my session fees, practice policies and other “housekeeping” logistics that are important for you to know about in order to provide me with informed consent to participate in treatment. This is an opportunity for us to explore the pros and cons of engaging in therapy. I typically recommend scheduling weekly sessions at least 4-6 weeks immediately following the intake assessment, as it takes time for me to get to know you as well as for you to get to know me! A first session is not a commitment to future sessions. If it appears that we may not be a good fit, I usually will discuss this with you somewhere in the first 3-4 sessions. If we are not a good fit, I will support you in finding a different therapist who may be a better fit.

Do you take insurance?

I am an out of network provider, which means that I do not accept insurance directly. If you have a qualifying mental health diagnosis, then I can provide you with a document called a “superbill” through your patient portal. This document becomes available the month after the session(s) took place (i.e., for sessions completed in November, the superbill becomes available to download from your patient portal on December 1st). Once you download the superbill, you can submit this on your own to your insurance provider as a claim to seek reimbursement. I recommend contacting your insurance provider directly to inquire about out of network provider benefits based on your specific insurance plan prior to beginning therapy with me to ensure that you have no surprise costs.

How long do I typically need to participate in therapy?

I recommend committing to at least 12-16 weeks for individual therapy. If I am engaging in play therapy with a child or teen, I am also typically working with family members, which means that I recommend committing to at least 20-30 weeks of sessions. It takes time to make lasting changes, and I want to help you reach your goals as fast and as effectively as possible.

What is your cancellation policy?

My cancellation policy requires clients to cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours in advance, otherwise you will be responsible for the full session fee. If you do not show up to your appointment (this is considered a “no show”), then you will also be responsible for the full session fee. If you are planning on trying to seek reimbursement with your insurance provider, please note that insurance providers do not typically reimburse for late cancellations or no shows. If you need to reschedule last minute (less than 24 hours), I typically do not charge a late cancellation fee if we can find another time within the same week to move the session to; however, this is also dependent on whether I have availability to accommodate a rescheduled session within the same week.