FAQs
Why do people seek therapy?
People come into therapy for many reasons. Some need to respond to unexpected changes in their lives, while others seek self-exploration and personal growth. When coping skills are overwhelmed by guilt, doubt, anxiety, or despair, a psychologist can help. Therapy can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping for issues such as depression, anxiety, lack of confidence, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, bereavement, spiritual conflicts, stress management, body image issues, and creative blocks. People seeking psychotherapy are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives.
What can I expect in a therapy session?
During sessions you are expected to talk about the primary concerns and issues in your life. An individual session lasts 45 minutes, but some people request longer sessions. Most people find that one or two sessions a week are most helpful. During the time between sessions, it is beneficial to think about and process what was discussed. At times, you may be asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading a relevant book or trying out new behavior.
Tell me about meeting virtually
All appointments are conducted via secure, HIPAA-compliant video sessions, allowing us to meet and talk directly in real time. Before each session, you’ll receive a unique meeting link via email. No recordings are made—each session remains completely private and ephemeral. You can connect using any computer, tablet, or smartphone. Many clients appreciate the convenience of virtual therapy, as it simplifies scheduling, eliminates commuting, and minimizes time away from work. You can attend sessions from the comfort of your private space. During our initial consultation, I encourage you to reflect on your experience and see if virtual therapy feels like the right fit for you.
What benefits can I expect from working with a psychologist?
A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. Often it is helpful just to know that someone understands. A psychologist can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. Many people find therapy to be a tremendous asset in managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns and the difficulties of daily life. Some of the potential benefits available from therapy include:
Gaining a better understanding of yourself and your personal goals and values
Developing skills for improving your relationships
Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
Finding new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
Managing anger, depression, and other emotional pressures
Improving communications skills - learn how to listen to others, and have others listen to you
Getting "unstuck" from unhealthy patterns - breaking old behaviors and develop new ones
Discovering new ways to solve problems
Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
Are you the right therapist for me?
Choosing your psychologist is an important decision. In addition to considering credentials and competence, having a good rapport is critical. Research suggests that the single most important factor in therapeutic success is the alliance, or relationship, that you have with your therapist. To help ensure a good therapeutic fit, I encourage prospective clients to schedule a complimentary 20-minute consultation.
Do you take insurance?
I am an “out-of-network provider" for all insurance companies. I do not participate in Medicare or Medicaid. This means that you keep a credit card on file to pay directly after each session. You will get a monthly statement or "superbill" from me in print or pdf form to help you file for reimbursement with your insurance company. Most insurers let you file online and it takes only a few minutes. Insurers vary widely in their reimbursement policies for out-of-network fees from almost all of the amount to much less. Out of network deductibles also vary by insurer and plan. I am happy to email directly with you about this and walk you through the process to help you find out exactly how much your personal insurer will reimburse before beginning treatment. I know that this is probably a stressful time for you and will do whatever I can to eliminate your financial concerns so that we can focus on what brought you to therapy.
Payment
Ongoing patients keep a credit (or HSA or FSA) card on file. Fees are paid automatically from your designated card on the day of service. An invoice is generated for each payment and is stored in your patient portal indefinitely so you can always refer to it for your records.
Flexible Spending Accounts
If your company offers a medical flexible spending account (FSA), I strongly recommend that you consider using it as it can reduce the cost by about a third. This kind of account allows you to use pre-tax dollars for medical deductibles and unreimbursed expenses. Another benefit of using a flexible spending account is that they are fully funded from the very beginning of the calendar year. So you can file for reimbursement immediately or have your FSA debit card charged as a convenience. Talk to your human resources manager for full information on your company's particular plan.
Cancellation Policy
If you do not show up for your scheduled appointment, and you have not provided notification at least 48 hours in advance, you will be expected to pay the full cost of the appointment as booked as that time was reserved for you and was not available to other clients.
More Questions?
I am happy to provide more detailed information regarding any of these matters and look forward to discussing your situation in more detail. We can email about practical matters and potentially schedule a complimentary 20-minute video consultation. The consultation implies no obligation for either of us, but provides a chance to discuss your current concerns, get a sense of whether we would enjoy working together and understand what next steps would be most helpful for you.
Contact me
Let’s get started. Fill out the contact boxes or send an email and I’ll be in touch shortly.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Location
2 Wisconsin Circle, Suite 700
Chevy Chase, MD 20815