How Do I Know if I need Therapy?

Ask yourself the following questions:  

• Have I been trying to manage my anxiety on my own, but continue to struggle?  

• Do I have a hard time accomplishing and enjoying everyday tasks and activities?  

• Do I lie awake at night worrying about the next day? or my future?

• Is my anxiety affecting my home, work, school, and/or social life?

If you answered yes to any or all of the above questions, it sounds like therapy may be a good option to explore.  I am happy to discuss your needs further and help determine which path is right for you.

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What Will The First Session Be Like?

After initial paperwork is reviewed, the session is open for you to discuss 1.) what brought you to therapy, and 2.) what you would ultimately like to achieve through our sessions together.  By outlining a beginning and an end point to therapy, we are creating concrete references that will allow us to see where progress is being made, as well as areas that will require more work. We will begin to develop an individualized plan that will not only address your presenting problem, but will give you the skills needed to cope with future difficulties as well.

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How Are You Different From Other Therapists?

My entire practice is devoted to treating adult individuals experiencing Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), as well as other anxiety and avoidance-based conditions.  I have been intensively trained in the use of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), which is an essential component of proper OCD treatment. Sessions are structured, educational, and action-oriented, and will therefore look and feel much different from traditional "talk therapy." The goal of each session is to equip you with personalized tools, and knowledge, to make your upcoming week better than the last.  I encourage collaboratively-designed homework assignments, so that you are constantly reinforcing and practicing your new skills and ways of thinking.  The ultimate goal is to teach you to become your own therapist, so that you can confidently move forward and feel capable of coping with any future challenges that come your way.

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How Many Sessions Will I Need?

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy is a short-term, efficient treatment option.  However, since each individual's challenges are unique, it is difficult to estimate the number of sessions you may personally need.  It may be helpful to keep in mind the saying, "Practice makes progress."  When learning anything new, including counseling strategies that will be discussed in sessions, it is important to practice them outside of our time together for faster, better results.  

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What Are Your Fees and Do You Take Insurance?

I am only in-network with Blue Cross PPO plans.  If you decide to pay out of pocket, the fee for a 50-minute session is $150.  I am happy to submit all paperwork for out-of-network claims on your behalf, so that you may be reimbursed by your insurance carrier at their determined rate.  Typical fees for out-of-network claims range between $30 and $60 per session.  To learn about your out-of-network benefits, call your insurance provider and ask three questions: 1.) Do I have out-of-network behavioral health benefits? 2.) What is my deductible? 3.) What percentage will be reimbursed after my deductible is met?  

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Is There A Benefit of Paying Out of Pocket?

Choosing to use insurance is a personal decision.  While private-pay costs for treatment may seem expensive, it is important to view therapy as an investment in yourself, and your future.  Some points to keep in mind are the following: 

1.) Using insurance means receiving a mental health diagnosis that remains on your permanent health records, and is considered a "preexisting condition."  2.) Insurance companies can limit the length and frequency of our sessions, whereas paying out of pocket allows for flexibility, giving both you and I complete control over your treatment.  3.)  Insurance companies restrict treatment to the office setting, which serves as a barrier for individuals who can greatly benefit from exposure therapy in the "real world" setting.  4.) While I work to maintain the highest degree of confidentiality,  insurance companies can ask about your personal information, which they can use to allow or deny future sessions together.