What can I expect during the intake session?

Typically, during the intake session, we will discuss what is bringing in for therapy, what you hope to get out of therapy, and some basic background information about you.  Policies, fees, and scheduling will be discussed during this session.  I will explore any questions or concerns you have about therapy, my approach to treatment to help determine whether you feel comfortable working with me, and if I am a good fit for your needs.  At the end of your initial intake, we will review your goals for therapy, the type of therapy that would be most beneficial for you, frequency of sessions, and schedule your next appointment. The intake session is about 60 minutes long.     

Therapy is work.  It involves a significant commitment of time, money, and energy.  I encourage you to be thoughtful about the therapist you select.  One of the key elements of what makes talk therapy effective is the therapeutic relationship. If we determine that working together is not in your best interest, I will provide appropriate referrals for other clinicians in your area.

Will therapy be helpful?

It is important to understand that therapy can have benefits and risks.  Engaging in treatment often involves discussing and exploring unpleasant aspects of your life.  It requires you to place trust in me to help you navigate these emotions and thoughts.  You may experience uncomfortable and even painful feelings such as frustration, sadness, guilt, shame, anger, loneliness, and helplessness.  During our time together, I will bear witness to your experiences, support and encourage you, and provide you with the tools to change unhealthy and maladaptive thoughts and behaviors.  The goal of therapy is to help you live an emotionally healthy and balanced lifestyle.  Consequently, you may benefit by minimizing your overall distress, learn more effective ways to respond to challenges, and experience more rewarding interpersonal relationships.  We work together to achieve these goals.  

How long will it take?

The length of time in therapy involves many different factors - what's bringing you in, goals for therapy, commitment to the process, and your current level of resilience and coping - to name a few.  The therapy process for each person is unique.  Some individuals begin to feel relief after the first session.  Others walk away feeling confused or anxious and question if therapy is right for them.  I typically encourage individuals to give it at least 3 sessions before they decide if therapy is right for them.  It can be challenging to trust the process of therapy, especially when you want to feel better right away.  Each session we will check in about what you have noticed since we last met and address any questions and concerns.  Some issues can be resolved in 6-8 sessions, while others may involve more ingrained patterns of engaging in the world and require more time to reach your goals.  Therapy is not meant to be forever.  We will frequently be discussing the therapy process and your progress to ensure you are receiving excellent care.       

How much does it cost?

I accept some insurance plans in North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Maryland. I primarily use Alma to manage the administrative work that comes with taking insurance, which includes running eligibility checks on your insurance policies and filing claims on your provider’s behalf.      

Private Pay Session Rates:

Initial Intake Session (60 min) - $250​

Individual Session (55 min) - $200

Monthly Check-In (30 min) - $100*

*Available for one year after termination for established patients that have met treatment goals.

 If you need to use insurance for services and I do not accept your insurance, I am happy to provide you with referrals of clinicians in your area.

Good Faith Estimate

All patients are entitled to a Good Faith Estimate, which shows the costs of items and services that are reasonably expected for your health care needs for an item or service. The estimate is based on information known at the time the estimate was created and does not include any unknown or unexpected costs that may arise during treatment.

Throughout your treatment, I may recommend additional items or services as part of your treatment that are not reflected in this estimate. These would need to be scheduled separately with your consent and the understanding that any additional service costs are in addition to the Good Faith Estimate. If your needs change during treatment, I will supply a new, updated Good Faith Estimate to reflect the changes to treatment, and the accompanying cost changes.

The Good Faith Estimate is not a contract between provider and patient and does not obligate or require the patient to obtain any of the listed services from the provider. If you are billed for more than this Good Faith Estimate, you have the right to dispute the bill.

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate or the dispute process, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call (800) 985-3059.

Why Pay Out of Pocket When I have Insurance?

There are benefits to choosing fee-for service.  One major benefit is full confidentiality.  When using insurance, I am required to provide the insurance companies clinical information including your diagnosis, your symptoms, treatment plans/goals, and in some cases, though rare, copies of your entire record.  In order to use insurance, you must be provided with a diagnosis.  This information remains part of your permanent medical history. 

Many insurance companies also have high deductibles and co-payments that reset each year.  Often patients do not reach their deductible amount before the coverage starts over again or the actual financial benefit from the insurance policy is minimal.  The patient, however, ends up with a history of a psychiatric diagnosis in their medical records that could impact future insurance rates, medical coverage, and career goals.      

Military personnel, I am not obligated to disclose any information or diagnosis to your COC.  Services are completely confidential.         

Another benefit is freedom to manage your own treatment.  Insurance companies can assess whether clinical services are necessary.  This can result in the insurance company determining how many sessions you will be allotted and therefore setting a limit to how often you can be seen.  Fee-for-services allows you to utilize services as often as clinically necessary without authorization, which could be denied in some cases.  Additionally, you are free to receive the type of service that is most beneficial for you.  For instance, if a family counseling session is required, some companies will not cover this type of treatment, despite its clinical benefit. 

I realize not everyone is in a position to do fee-for-service and may need to use their insurance benefits to receive treatment.  If I am not in network with your insurance, I will provide you referrals to clinicians in your area that accept your insurance.      

Do you keep what we talk about confidential?

This question comes up a lot. The answer is “yes, but.”  

Based on the law and professional ethics, all patients have the right to confidentiality and privileged communication about specific information shared in session.  I am in compliance with federal and state laws and will maintain the privacy of your PHI (protected health information).  If you request to have your PHI shared with others, I require written permission from you in order to release information about our work together. 

While confidentiality is a right, there are limitations surrounding confidentiality you should be made aware of as listed in the following:

·    I may consult with other professional colleagues in order to provide you with the best possible care.  This is considered best practice for therapists in private practice.  During any type of clinical consultation, no identifying information about you (i.e., your name) will be used.

·    If it is determined that at any time you pose an imminent risk to yourself or others, I am required by law to release necessary information to appropriate parties to ensure safety. 

·    Abuse/Neglect: in the event of reported or suspected abuse and/or neglect of children, or vulnerable adults (i.e., elder abuse, individuals with disabilities), I am required by law to report this information to the appropriate authorities.  Additionally, any suspected or reported animal abuse may be reported to appropriate authorities depending on the state you live in.

If you are in the military, I do not report to your COC.  

If you are private pay, there is not an external record of you receiving psychological services nor will you have a psychological diagnosis attached to your medical records.