Frequently Asked Questions: Psychotherapy Services
What kinds of clients do you work with?
I work with older teenagers (15+), adults and seniors and treat a wide variety of presenting issues. Maybe you have been struggling with nervousness in the workplace or you feel insecure in your relationships with others. Perhaps you’ve been experiencing “the blues” for quite some time and have little expectation that life could be different for you. You may have acute symptoms - such as panic attacks or flashbacks - that may be preventing you from moving through your day with ease. I draw from the latest research in neuroscience to teach clients about the ways in which the past continues to keep us stuck in patterns that are not helpful to us. Most of my work focuses on helping individuals feel more present – in their bodies and in their minds - with themselves and with others.
I think I would like to see a therapist but do not know how to proceed. What do you suggest?
I strongly recommend doing some research before you begin therapy. A referral from someone you trust can be a good place to start. The “Find a Therapist” feature on the Psychology Today website, www.goodtherapy.org and individual therapists’ websites are places to start. If you can, try to interview a therapist over the phone to find out a little bit more about them. Important questions to ask would be: What kinds of issues do you generally work with in your therapy? What treatment approaches do you use? How long have you been in practice? What does your availability look like? Do you take insurance, and if so, which ones? What are your fees for your services?
What are your fees?
2023 Therapy Fees
- Initial Intake Session (Diagnostic Assessment, 60 minutes) $225
- 55 minute session, $170
- 45 minute session, $150
- 55 minute family session, $180
Fees are due at the time of service. I accept personal checks, major credit cards and cash for payment.
Coaching/Consultation Fees
$170/hour
FOR CLIENTS USING INSURANCE*: I am an out of network provider for most insurance plans, and no longer work directly with insurance providers. If you would like to use insurance to pay for a portion of your therapy, your out-of-pocket cost will depend on your insurance plan. Please contact your insurance provider to find out what your portion of this fee would be. If you have out-of-network benefits, I will provide a receipt for you that you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. Clients can also use flex spending or a health care savings account funds to pay for therapy.
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Please see below for additional questions that you should ask your insurance provider to determine coverage.
*Please note that insurance companies require documentation of a diagnosable condition (e.g., Depressive Disorder or Generalized Anxiety Disorder) as part of the reimbursement/payment process . These companies also have the right to request documentation of progress made over the course of therapy. If you decide to seek partial reimbursement through your insurance provider, I will work with you on the development of this diagnosis as well as any review requests that are required in order for reimbursement to occur.
Where are you located?
My office is located in the Merriam Park neighborhood of Saint Paul, Minnesota.
What should I expect from the first session with you?
The first session is generally called an intake or assessment session. I will send you a packet of forms that you can complete before the session and you will bring these with you to the appointment. This first session is about an hour and is a “getting to know you” session. We talk about why you are seeking therapy at this time and I go over your paperwork so that I have a better understanding of what brings you to therapy. I ask you questions about symptoms, strengths and personal history as it relates to the issues that you are presenting. I share a little bit more about me and how I work with clients.
The therapeutic relationship is a mutually agreed upon contract between a client and a therapist – sometimes a decision is made at the first session (or after) not to proceed with therapy. It is important for me to assess whether my skills are an appropriate fit for you and for what you are looking for. It is equally important that you to feel comfortable working with me and feel in charge of making the decision to proceed with therapy.
How do I pay for therapy?
Making a decision to begin therapy is an investment of time, energy and financial resources. It is important to find out about therapy fees and payment before you meet with a potential therapist. Some therapists only accept private payment for therapy, others will take insurance (as either an “in-network” or “out-of-network” provider). If you are able to use your insurance and wish to do so, there most likely will still be some cost to you in terms of a copayment, deductible or coinsurance.
I am a fee for service (out of network) provider, which means I do not work with insurance plans directly. If you would like to explore options for therapy with me via your insurance plan, you will need to call your insurance provider and ask the following questions:
· What are my out-of-network benefits? (if applicable)
· What is my out of network deductible and has it been met?
· How many sessions per year does my plan cover?
· What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
· What is my copayment responsibility per session?
I am happy to speak with you further if you have questions about this process.
If I decide to proceed after the first session, what does the next session look like?
In the second session, I will share my assessment (often called a diagnostic assessment) with you along with recommendations for therapy. We develop a treatment plan together that will be a guide for the work that we do. This plan includes an identification of present challenges along with general (and perhaps specific) goals. We will also talk about strategies that I may use in our work together.
Do you provide more traditional types of therapy in addition to EMDR and Somatic therapy?
Yes, I use narrative, family systems and cognitive behavioral approaches in addition to EMDR and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. I also incorporate MBSR (mindfulness practice) in my work with most clients.
How often do you see clients?
In order to make scheduling manageable for me and my clients, I ask that clients commit to a time and day of the week (usually weekly or bi-weekly) that works best for them. If this is not possible for you, we will work out another arrangement. I have both daytime and early evening appointments available.
How long do you work with clients?
The length of time that therapy can last varies quite a bit depending upon a variety of factors. Some of the EMDR therapy and MBSR (stress reduction) work that I do is quite brief (4-6 sessions). Other work can take several months, depending upon presenting factors and goals for therapy. I use Sensorimotor and EMDR therapy for individuals who have experienced early and/or developmental trauma. This treatment is more intensive and involves a longer time commitment.