What is the process of therapy?

There will be an initial session with an assessment to determine your treatment plan.  The assessment will include reviewing history and identifying current problems.  Once the assessment has been completed, your therapist will outline a treatment plan and you are on the path to recovery.

Your therapist will provide homework to address your presenting problems.

 

Who pays for my therapy and how much does it cost?

There are several ways to pay for therapy, and your therapy may be covered by insurance or an EAP (Employee Assistance Program).  We also serve clients that need to use a private pay method.*

1.  Insurance:  Most insurance plans will cover a percentage of mental health therapy, leaving the individual responsible for the co-pay.  Depending on your insurance carrier and your coverage; co-pays range from $10 to $40.  Some individuals may have a deductible, and insurance companies will not pay for any portion of therapy until the deductible is met.

2.  Self-Pay:  Self-pay sessions are $85.00 per session.  However, our office provides a sliding scale and will work with clients who are in need.

* We accept cash, VISA and MasterCard.

 

What kind of progress can I expect?

Therapy is a bit like watching corn grow.  You may not recognize the difference, but people who know you well will point out the changes they observe.  It takes time to address problems and develop new skills.  We use brief, solution-focused, and cognitive behavioral therapy in most cases.  However, in difficult cases such as childhood trauma may take 20 to 60 sessions depending on the detriment of the trauma.  Chronic diseases such as schizophrenia will require the therapist to establish a baseline and to provide ongoing treatment for maintenance therapy.

 

How do I know if therapy is right for me?

Everyone can benefit from therapy.  It is right for you if you are willing to be open-minded, honest and willing to take some small risks.  We tell our clients that if therapy is not hard then they are not doing it right.

 

Will my therapy records be kept confidential?

Information about your treatment will not be revealed to anyone without your permission in a written release of information.

There are several exceptions to this; if you are at risk of harming yourself or others or if your records have been court ordered.  Risk of suicide, homicide, child abuse, or elderly abuse, is mandated by law for the therapist to report.

 

What are my rights while I am in treatment?

All mental health professionals are under obligation to adhere to a strict code of ethics, as noted below.

A.  Mental Health / Chemical Dependency services in accordance with standards of professional practice, appropriate to his/her needs and designed to give him/her a reasonable opportunity to improve his/her condition.

B.  Humane care, protection from harm, and to be treated with dignity and respect.

C.  The right to participate in the development and review of his/her treatment plan, including the known effects of receiving and not receiving such treatment, or alternative treatment, if any.

D.  The right to receive treatment in the least restrictive settings.

E.  The right to review his/her own record in the presence of the primary therapist, unless the primary therapist's professional judgment deems the review would be potentially detrimental to the person.

F.  The right to confidential maintenance of all his/her identifying treatment information; no disclosure of such information without his/her written authorization, except in cases of medical emergency, by court order, or when otherwise dictated by law.

G.  The right to register complaints and to have his/her complaints heard and action taken, if required, promptly.

H.  The right to waive any of his/her rights, if the waiver is given voluntarily, knowingly, and in a competent state of mind.  The waiver may be withdrawn at any time.

 

Do you offer appointments after business hours or on the weekends?

We prefer sheduling appointments during our regular office hours.  However, we are able to offer occasional weekend appointments on a case-by-case basis.

 

What if I need medication?

Most of our clients do not require medication.  However, when needed, your therapist will work in conjunction with your primary care physician or a phychiatrist to provide help in recommending and monitoring medication as necessary.

What is the process of therapy?

There will be an initial session with an assessment to determine your treatment plan.  The assessment will include reviewing history and identifying current problems.  Once the assessment has been completed, your therapist will outline a treatment plan and you are on the path to recovery.

Your therapist will provide homework to address your presenting problems.

 

Who pays for my therapy and how much does it cost?

There are several ways to pay for therapy, and your therapy may be covered by insurance or an EAP (Employee Assistance Program).  We also serve clients that need to use a private pay method.*

1.  Insurance:  Most insurance plans will cover a percentage of mental health therapy, leaving the individual responsible for the co-pay.  Depending on your insurance carrier and your coverage; co-pays range from $10 to $40.  Some individuals may have a deductible, and insurance companies will not pay for any portion of therapy until the deductible is met.

2.  Self-Pay:  Self-pay sessions are $85.00 per session.  However, our office provides a sliding scale and will work with clients who are in need.

* We accept cash, VISA and MasterCard.

 

What kind of progress can I expect?

Therapy is a bit like watching corn grow.  You may not recognize the difference, but people who know you well will point out the changes they observe.  It takes time to address problems and develop new skills.  We use brief, solution-focused, and cognitive behavioral therapy in most cases.  However, in difficult cases such as childhood trauma may take 20 to 60 sessions depending on the detriment of the trauma.  Chronic diseases such as schizophrenia will require the therapist to establish a baseline and to provide ongoing treatment for maintenance therapy.

 

How do I know if therapy is right for me?

Everyone can benefit from therapy.  It is right for you if you are willing to be open-minded, honest and willing to take some small risks.  We tell our clients that if therapy is not hard then they are not doing it right.

 

Will my therapy records be kept confidential?

Information about your treatment will not be revealed to anyone without your permission in a written release of information.

There are several exceptions to this; if you are at risk of harming yourself or others or if your records have been court ordered.  Risk of suicide, homicide, child abuse, or elderly abuse, is mandated by law for the therapist to report.

 

What are my rights while I am in treatment?

All mental health professionals are under obligation to adhere to a strict code of ethics, as noted below.

A.  Mental Health / Chemical Dependency services in accordance with standards of professional practice, appropriate to his/her needs and designed to give him/her a reasonable opportunity to improve his/her condition.

B.  Humane care, protection from harm, and to be treated with dignity and respect.

C.  The right to participate in the development and review of his/her treatment plan, including the known effects of receiving and not receiving such treatment, or alternative treatment, if any.

D.  The right to receive treatment in the least restrictive settings.

E.  The right to review his/her own record in the presence of the primary therapist, unless the primary therapist's professional judgment deems the review would be potentially detrimental to the person.

F.  The right to confidential maintenance of all his/her identifying treatment information; no disclosure of such information without his/her written authorization, except in cases of medical emergency, by court order, or when otherwise dictated by law.

G.  The right to register complaints and to have his/her complaints heard and action taken, if required, promptly.

H.  The right to waive any of his/her rights, if the waiver is given voluntarily, knowingly, and in a competent state of mind.  The waiver may be withdrawn at any time.

 

Do you offer appointments after business hours or on the weekends?

We prefer sheduling appointments during our regular office hours.  However, we are able to offer occasional weekend appointments on a case-by-case basis.

 

What if I need medication?

Most of our clients do not require medication.  However, when needed, your therapist will work in conjunction with your primary care physician or a phychiatrist to provide help in recommending and monitoring medication as necessary.