Getting Started

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Probably the most important thing to determine is if I am the right therapist for you to work with.  Always feel free to contact me with any initial questions, such whether I have experience with similar issues or concerns you want to work on, availability and location, or even whether psychotherapy is right for you. I am happy to schedule an initial session by email, but if you would like to have a brief, initial phone conversation before scheduling a session, I am happy to schedule this as well.

During the initial visit, it will be important for me to fully understand the nature of your visit, the circumstances surrounding it—including your existing strengths, interests, current coping strategies, and what you hope to get out of psychotherapy. I will also want to know a bit about your background, prior experience in therapy, and whether the experience was useful or not to know what has worked and what hasn’t. We will discuss the ways in which we can work toward improving your circumstances and grow as a result.

Fees

Therapists charge anywhere from $35.00 to $200.00 per session, depending on whether they are pre-licensed interns,or licensed, years of experience, and/or specialties. My current fee is: $150.00, based on my professional experience.

For longer sessions I charge a pro-rated fee based upon my usual fee per session. If though I go over time, unless we’ve agreed to this prior, I will not charge for any additional time.

I accept cash, check, Square (for credit or debit cards), PayPal, and Google Wallet. Fees can be paid at each session, or monthly, and I’ll send you an electronic billing statement.

Unfortunately I do not take insurance, however, I can provide statements with the appropriate codes, diagnoses, etc., for you to pursue reimbursement, if your insurance carrier accepts, or allows, you to work with out of network providers.

I try to keep a portion of my practice available for those who need sliding scale, or reduced fee, but reserve scheduling these during afternoon hours.  Reduced fees are determined by current income and circumstances.

Length of Sessions

Although traditionally therapy session are 50 minutes, I typically go 50-55 minutes. Admittedly, I can sometimes run a little late. Although it’s something I try to avoid, I always make sure you have at least the traditional 50 minutes. If this is a problem, let me know, and I will make sure it doesn’t happen.

How Long Does Therapy Take?

Obviously, it depends on the nature of what you’re working on, where you are with it, the effects it currently is having, and whether therapy, or our work, is helping. But ultimately I believe it’s up to you, and trust you to know for yourself far better than I do. If though, I have input, I will offer it, however whatever it is, you are not under obligation to agree or follow it.

How Often Do We Meet

Typically therapy is weekly, but there are no hard, fast rules. I recommend meet weekly, at least initially, to figure out the nature of our work and how well we work together. But I am not opposed to meeting every other week or, in some cases monthly, as long as we have an idea of what we’re working towards, and can navigate scheduling.

I don’t believe therapy necessarily has to have an absolute, final ending, but can taper off, or stop when you feel your current work resolved. You’re always welcome to return, though under no obligation to do so. But if you would like to make an appointment at anytime in the future to check in, or even to discuss a single, immediate matter, you’re always welcome.

If at any time you decide to end, or take a break from our work, I do request that you let me know, so that I have a clear understanding of this decision, and not left to guess. Otherwise, if I don’t hear from you longer than a week I will try to contact you by phone, text or email. If I am unable to reach you, I will consider you’ve decided to stop and hope to hear from you in the future.

Scheduling

I generally schedule on a first-come-first-serve basis. For example, if I get a requests by email for any openings, I will offer what I have available, and schedule these to the first person who takes any of them.

 

Cancellation Policy

I require 24 hour prior notice for a cancellation of any appointment, and the full fee will be charged for sessions missed without prior 24hour notification. If you have an emergency, or unforeseeable circumstances, please let me know as soon as possible, and will, if I can, try to reschedule that appointment.

Running Late

If you are, or will be, running late for our appointment please call or text to let me know, and/or whether you’ll be able to make it. I generally wait twenty minutes before considering the session missed, and may at that time leave the office.

From time to time I may run a few moments late, but usually make it up on the other end of the hour. If this poses a problem for whatever reason, please let me know.

Communication Between Sessions

I check voicemail two times daily and texts more often. I am fine with texting. While I try to keep communication to scheduling and/or brief questions and concerns, if I have a relevant, or after, thought between sessions, I may either include these in an email, or simply send an email to express it. This a part of how I work, but you are under no obligation to respond, or reciprocate financially or otherwise. Clients have told me this is generous, and while I appreciate that, be assured, that’s all it is. I’m safe and aware of boundaries and limitations.

In cases of non-threatening emergency, or crisis you call call or text me. If I am unable to respond, I will do so as soon as I can. If you are suicidal, I will take whatever steps are necessary towards ensuring your safety, including suggesting hospitalization, contacting the police or family and friends, or going to you directly if it is possible.

Out of Town

When I am out of town for a short time, I check texts and voice mail, and can usually return calls. If I won’t be able to, or am gone any longer than five days, I have an on-call professional whom I know and respect.

Consulting with Other Professionals

You may request of feel it necessary for me to consult with other professionals, such as psychiatrists, medical doctors, previous, or couples therapists. I am happy to do so, but will make sure I discuss it with you first. If the consultation goes longer than 20 minutes, I may charge you a pro-rated portion of my fee.

Confidentiality

All information you discuss with me is confidential and may not be revealed to anyone without your prior written permission, except where disclosure is required. I am mandated by law to disclose information in the following circumstances: 1) where there is reasonable suspicion of child or elder abuse, 2) where there is reasonable suspicion of that a client presents a danger and/or violence to others, 3) where a client is likely to harm him or herself unless protective measures are taken. Disclosure may also be required pursuant to a legal proceeding.

I’ve never related to the idea that therapists are paid to hear people’s problems, or be their friend. From my perspective I experience people, and try to lend constructive understanding to their concerns, based some on my training, but a great deal more on my experience. I do this by listening, asking whether I’m getting the person, pointing out strengths they may not be recognizing. I’m active, collaborative, and try to be real, not pretentious, or aloof. I believe therapy is a mutual, though professional relationship, and, in which both of us are invested. Because of this I get to know, and care about people I work with, and where it’s relevant and appropriate, open about about myself.

People I’ve work with have often expressed I get their nuances, and feel like they’re treated as equals working with me.

Couples Therapy

“The right to express our thoughts means something—only if we are able to have thoughts of our own.”

—Eric Fromm

Although relationships define much of who we are, they don’t define all we are. Thus it’s natural for couples to have difficulty balancing being part of a couple and maintaining a sense of self. Couples commonly think the solution is simply to compromise, however this usually means just adjusting to the other’s differences. Unfortunately, compromise in this way disregards each’s individuality and integrity, so neither are independently recognized, understood, or really accepted. While accepting our partners for who they are is essential, it doesn’t have to be at the expense of their individually actualizing who they are. I encourage couples to have individuality balanced with connectedness, and deepen their involvement in the relationship without losing themselves.

My Specialties Include:

•Improving  Relationships and Communication

•Separation,  Divorce, and Co-Parenting

•Successfully Managing Depression and Anxiety

•Finding Individual Meaning and Purpose in Life

•Making Successful Transitions

•Men’s Issues & Men in Relationships

•Addressing Substance Abuse, and Addictions