FAQ's
What is a first session like?
Before your appointment, you'll receive multiple emails about preparatory paperwork. This includes insurance information, confidentiality information, client agreements, and some symptom measures to get baseline data about how you're feeling. During our first session, I'll review these materials with you and ask questions to start to get to know you and your concerns. You can ask me whatever questions come up for you also.
Because we will have already chatted a bit during our free 15-minute consultation, our conversation won't be a brand-new meeting between us, but it will be more in-depth. Some clients feel relieved after the first session because even though we are just getting started it feels like forward movement; some clients feel a bit of an emotional hangover after being vulnerable with someone new. Both responses and anything in between is ok and normal! Whatever you're feeling, I ask that you bring that experience back and let me know about it in the second session.
What does a regular session with you look like?
I'm pretty active/directive on the spectrum of therapists and my primary approach, cognitive-behavioral therapy, is fairly structured. This means that I will teach tools and skills during session, assign practice tasks, and bring up agenda topics for us to discuss as well as listening and taking cues from what you'd like to discuss. I very much see therapy as a collaborative process and that means I'm expecting us to both be active participants!
What if I cry?
Crying is just water on your face. It is a nervous system release and often feels great, but if you are uncomfortable crying in front of me, I am happy to look away while otherwise remaining present and engaged with you.
Can I come to your office for session?
I see all clients via HIPAA-compliant video. I do not maintain a physical office space.
Do I need to download an app to see you?
No app required, the video system for sessions is browser-based. Once you're scheduled, you'll receive an appointment reminder that includes the link to my virtual waiting room. You can use your smartphone, tablet, or computer to join session. To get ready for session, you need a quiet, private space of your choosing and consistently strong internet signal. Clients can join me from anywhere they're comfortable.
What if you say something I don't like?
Tell me! Part of being in relationship together means that we practice things like healthy conflict, repair and conversations about hard things. I won't yell at you and it won't make me think less of you. It's important that I hear how you really feel.
Good Faith Estimate
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. For mental health providers, this will occur after a treatment plan is designed and a predicted length of services can be determined. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises, or you can email or call me to discuss this further.