Frequently Asked Questions
Can I choose not to use insurance and still come to therapy?
Absolutely! Clients who pay privately for sessions enjoy the benefits of increased privacy and avoidance of the stigma associated with diagnosis. Some people also choose this option if they have a high deductible plan or for therapy that is out of network.
Will you do a reduced fee/sliding scale?
I do not offer a sliding scale in the way most people conceptualize it. It is my belief that it’s unethical for me to provide one price for everyone else (including insurance companies) but let one person pay a reduced rate. On occasion, I work out payment plans or come up with a temporary rate (e.g., if someone is in between insurance coverage); typically I do this to prevent disruptions in therapy for ongoing clients (often during a time when they most need it). In those cases, we have a more formal agreement much like a contract, which includes details like start and end dates for the rate.
How long are sessions?
Depending on your insurance benefits, sessions typically last between 45 – 60 minutes.
What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
Psychiatrists have a medical degrees. The MD recipient has taken a lot of science such as human anatomy and chemistry as well as special training in medications, their intended doses and effects as well as side effects. Their training often takes place in hospitals. When you meet with a psychiatrist the first time, they will gather medical information and talk about your symptoms. By the end of the appointment, they typically prescribe medication. Though the first session is often 45-60 minutes long, like your primary care doctor, it is routine for them to meet with you for 15 minute appointments to monitor your medication after the initial appointment. These appointments are often spread out 1 to 6 months out, depending on the medication prescribed, lab tests, etc.
Psychologists have doctorates. The Ph.D. or Psy.D. recipient has studied the philosophy behind diagnoses as well as the research about treatment effectiveness. Their training can involve working in hospitals, but they often work in schools, clinics, private practices, etc. They work at refining listening skills, understanding human behavior, and learning treatments that guide people toward effective coping and alleviating underlying causes of problems. When you meet with a psychologist, they will gather information about family history, social support, history of the problem, etc. Ongoing appointments are often weekly, and a psychologist will typically meet with you for 45-60 minutes at those appointments. Most psychologists are not able to prescribe medications.
How does therapy work?
Typically the first few sessions are spent developing a collective understanding about what the problem is. From there, we look at potential ways to cope in the short term while we examine the problem from a more thorough angle: how did this problem develop? when does it occur? is it adaptive? As we begin to understand the deeper origins, we can look at more permanent solutions. Correcting things on this deep level often results in unexpected benefits.
What is the difference between therapy and life coaching?
On a basic level, therapy and life coaching work because an individual has set aside one hour a week to devote to resolving an issue with someone who can help come up with a plan or see things from an objective point of view. A therapist and a life coach are both people you feel accountable to for making changes. On that basis alone, therapy and coaching are similar and have equal value.
Therapists are trained in graduate school in treatment approaches that have been researched and are proven effective. We are licensed professionals who are required to obtain continuing education in our field and have to be willing to defend our treatment approach to insurance companies; as such, we continually strive to get measurable results from our work with clients and to provide the most ethical treatment. Life coaches are not governed by a licensure process. They can have any degree, often have a business or sales background, and are not required to abide by a code of ethics or get any education in their field. Insurance does not pay for coaching, which makes it more likely to be short term. So, life coaches work toward short-term results. Most of their strategies are based off what they have learned from their personal experience, not research. They focus on changing behaviors without much concern to why certain behaviors came to be and are not accountable to any regulating body to get measurable or lasting results.
Both have their value, but many clients find that therapy gives them a fuller understanding of their issues and are amazed at the lasting changes they have made after the time and effort therapy requires.
I have good friends and family support. How is therapy different than a friendship?
A therapist is different than a friend in many key ways. For starters, therapy is designed to be one-sided. Therapy is a service for you, to focus on your problems, and for us to work on your issue. Second, a therapist is often objective in a way your family or friends cannot be. Therapists don’t have a stake in the decisions you make and are trained to be non-judgmental; so whether you are deciding to end a relationship or change careers, this looks much different from your therapist’s vantage point than your spouse or friend’s. Third, therapy is private. Sometimes people struggle with issues that they would feel awkward telling friends or family. Your therapist is bound to keep everything you say completely private (for more information, take a look at the forms in the “For Clients” section). None of these other relationships guarantee that. Fourth, clients often feel like a long-lasting or heavy problem can be burdensome to family and friends. A therapist is someone who is paid to share this heavy burden with you; in fact, you are expected to talk about it! Many clients find this relieving, and it helps them work things through faster when they can shed this concern that often comes with a mutual relationship. Lastly, therapists are trained in helping people sort out their problems, and often have years of experience working with multiple people with similar issues. They know what questions to ask, what works and what doesn’t, and how to guide you toward solutions based off of this training and experience.
I enjoy working with clients who have great support. They get faster results that last, and therapy often improves the quality of their relationships. Why not have both?!
How do I figure out if you’re the right therapist for me?
Choosing a therapist is a personal decision. It should start with whether a therapist has any experience treating your particular issues. For this reason, I recommend you look at my bio. Beyond that, there is a wealth of research (see the Lambert & Barley 2001 article in Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training) that points to the relationship being a key factor in a successful therapeutic outcome. It’s important that you feel like you can relate to your therapist, and that you feel like that person is tailoring their approach to your needs. You can probably get a sense of this through the initial consultation phone call and an even better sense after a few sessions. A good therapist wants the best treatment outcome, and if the relationship isn’t a good fit, neither the therapist or client should be satisfied. I have been working in private practice in this geographic area long enough that I can help clients find referrals who can help if I can’t.
