In your first session, your therapist will spend some time getting to know you and the issues that brought you into treatment. She may use a formal, structured interview, or it may just feel like a more free-flowing conversation. The therapist will ask questions about your presenting concerns, as well as your history and background. Most likely, you’ll find yourself talking about your current symptoms or struggles, as well saying a bit about your relationships, your interests, your strengths, and your goals.

Most importantly, in that first session, you will begin making a connection with your therapist. You should feel safe, accepted, respected, and relatively comfortable. Not all therapists are right for every person, so use your first session to assess whether or not the therapist you chose feels like a good match for your personality.

Sessions are typically 55 minutes once weekly or biweekly. Depending upon your particular situation and needs, we may meet more or less frequently. The duration of therapy really depends on your particular needs, it can range from three months to over a year. It is never mandatory to stay in therapy and it is your choice when to begin and end treatment.

Payment can be either out-of-pocket or through your insurance plan. A few of the insurance companies we are paneled with are BCBS, BCN, McLaren, PHP, Atena, and Priority Health. To determine coverage and reimbursement (for out-of-network), please contact your insurance company directly. We accept cash, check, and/or credit cards.

Confidentiality is an extremely important component in the therapy process. It creates a safe and trusting environment when discussing difficult subjects. By law, I am not allowed to discuss any shared information with anyone else, without your consent. However, in certain situations, confidentiality between therapist and client is breached. State laws and professional ethics define the breach of confidentiality based on these common circumstances:

Danger to self or others:
All states allow a therapist to reveal the name of a client who is deemed a real and present danger to self (e.g., suicide) or others. The therapist is also required to warn or attempt to protect the person against whom the threats are being made.

Abuse of children, elderly, or mentally or physically handicapped:
A therapist is required to report credible knowledge of current or past abuse. This applies to situations in which the client is the one who was abused as well as to situations in which the client is the abuser.