Frequently Asked Questions

Are you accepting new patients during the COVID-19 pandemic?
I am glad to discuss telehealth sessions during a brief phone call with new patients and see if it would be appropriate.  You will be asked to sign this Telehealth Consent Form in advance of the session and to pay by credit card.

How long are sessions?
45 minutes for individual sessions, 75 minutes for group.

How do I pay?
Payment must be made at the end of each session. I accept cash, checks, and credit cards.  If you would like me to keep your credit card on file to charge automatically, please complete this authorization form.

Do you take insurance?
I am out-of-network with most insurance companies.  I can provide you with a statement at the end of the month, which you can use to get reimbursement from your insurance company.  I choose to remain out-of-network for several reasons including your confidentiality.

I recommend that you call your insurance company prior to our first session to review coverage for out-of-network providers.  The procedure code for individual psychotherapy is 90834 (90791 for the initial session). For group therapy, the code is 90853. It may be helpful to ask:

• Do I have mental health benefits?
• What is my deductible and has it been met?
• What is the coverage for outpatient psychotherapy services?
• What is the percentage of reimbursement for an out-of-network provider?
• Is approval required from my primary care physician or another type of pre-authorization?
• How many psychotherapy sessions are covered per year?
  
  

Will the information I share be kept confidential?
Your privacy is my ethical and legal obligation, and an essential part of the trust that leads to effective therapy.  I take this commitment very seriously. I will not confirm that we are working together without your written permission.  Anything you share with me related to your therapy is completely confidential.  There are only three exceptions to this confidentiality that all therapists are legally required to make:

1. Your statements lead me to suspect child, dependent adult, or elder abuse.
2. Your statements lead me to suspect that you have an intention to inflict bodily harm on yourself or on another human being.
3. I am ordered to as a result of legal court proceedings (this is extremely rare).

Even in these cases, I will make every effort to discuss things with you first before anyone else gets involved. Information shared will be kept to the minimum required.  If there is a solution that can maintain confidentiality, that will always be my first choice.

Sometimes it can be helpful to collaborate with your other healthcare providers in order to provide more complete and comprehensive treatment. I welcome this collaboration, but only with your expressed written consent. Should you have more questions regarding your confidentiality please feel free to contact me and we can discuss your concerns in more detail.

Privacy Policy
Release of Information

What do I do if it’s an emergency?
If you are in danger, please call 911.  If you are having a mental health crisis, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

Your privacy is my ethical and legal obligation