Frequently Asked Questions
How long does each session last?
About 50-55 minutes.
How long should I expect to be in therapy?
The length of therapy varies according to the nature, duration, intensity, and frequency of symptoms or problems, as well as your therapy goals. I typically recommend that clients come weekly in the beginning, especially if they are in an acute/crisis phase. After they become more stable and make good progress, we can discuss meeting less frequently. Some clients only need to come for a few sessions before their goals are achieved, and others come for over several years for maintenance. You and I will decide together what may be the best course of treatment for you.
Do you accept insurances? If so do you bill them directly?
Yes, I am an in-network provider for most major insurance companies including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Premera, Regence, Aetna, First Choice, and some others. I file claims on your behalf with the insurance companies and they will notify me within a few weeks how much they pay and how much your responsibility is. It is always a good idea to contact your insurance company before the first session to confirm your benefit details such as your annual deductibles, copay, preauthorization, etc. In case I am not an in-network provider for your insurance, you can ask them about the out-of-network coverage. My regular fee is $180/session if you don’t use an insurance and pay out-of-pocket, but in some cases I can offer fee discounts.
Do you prescribe medications?
I don’t, but I could help you navigate what might be the best way for you to access medication treatment, possibly through your primary care physician or via a referral to a psychiatrist.
Do you accept Medicare or Medicaid?
Not at this time.
Do you administer psychological testing or provide full psychological reports?
I normally don’t provide those services, but in some cases I can provide a letter stating the brief history of your treatment and diagnoses upon request.
Will my information be kept confidential?
A professional code of ethics and the law require each therapist to keep everything between the therapist and patient in the strictest confidence. The only exceptions are those mandated by law. Washington law, for instance, dictates that situations involving child abuse (present or past) must be reported. Other exceptions include court subpoenas and instances where someone's life is in danger because of homicidal or suicidal intent. When appropriate, and with the patient's written permission only, a therapist may exchange information with physicians, hospitals, or other professionals.
Can you work with me if I'm involved in a legal case (child custody, divorce, accident, work place issues, etc.)?
I may not be the right therapist for you if you need me to prepare some documentations requested for the case or testify at the court, because they are not in my scope of work.
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