Frequently Asked Questions
If you have other questions, don't hesitate to email me!
HOW DOES TELETHERAPY/TELEHEALTH/VIRTUAL THERAPY WORK?
Prior to our first session, we will be in touch over email and by phone to discuss some initial details. I will get you set up in a couple of systems I use for billing and record keeping. You will set up an account with these systems and complete a handful of steps such as adding payment info, completing intake forms, etc. prior to our first session together. I will guide you through all of this. You will then get an appointment confirmation with a link to access our virtual sessions. The link will take you to a virtual waiting room. I will start the session at our scheduled time.
In order to get the most out of a virtual teletherapy session, it's important to consider the timing and location for yourself. Be sure to factor in some time before and after session to both prepare for the session and then to transition back to the rest of your day afterwards. It's important to take the session from a private, quiet location, free from distractions.
Despite the convenience and accessibility of teletherapy, due to certain laws and regulations, you must be physically located within the state of Massachusetts during our sessions. Unfortunately, we won't be able to meet if you are in another state.
Any other questions, please feel free to email me!
In order to get the most out of a virtual teletherapy session, it's important to consider the timing and location for yourself. Be sure to factor in some time before and after session to both prepare for the session and then to transition back to the rest of your day afterwards. It's important to take the session from a private, quiet location, free from distractions.
Despite the convenience and accessibility of teletherapy, due to certain laws and regulations, you must be physically located within the state of Massachusetts during our sessions. Unfortunately, we won't be able to meet if you are in another state.
Any other questions, please feel free to email me!
what are your fees?
My standard fees are as follows:
Please note, a valid form of payment is required to be kept on file at all times, including prior to our first session together. If you are utilizing insurance benefits, you are responsible for understanding your benefits and coverage, and responsible for all costs not covered by insurance.
All costs, including insurance coverage, will be discussed prior to getting started.
- $175 for a 60-minute intake session
- $150 for standard 55-minute sessions (usually weekly)
Please note, a valid form of payment is required to be kept on file at all times, including prior to our first session together. If you are utilizing insurance benefits, you are responsible for understanding your benefits and coverage, and responsible for all costs not covered by insurance.
All costs, including insurance coverage, will be discussed prior to getting started.
what can i expect during my first session with you?
During our first session, I will start by giving you a run down of the session format:
We'll start with a review of some of the practices and policies that are covered in the forms you will have already read and signed, just to verify understanding and give the opportunity to address any questions you might have.
I will then begin asking you questions to understand your hopes and goals for therapy and to begin to understand what brought you to therapy. It usually takes the first few sessions to establish bigger pictures goals and to lay out a general path forward on how to reach those goals.
I'll also check in frequently throughout the session to address questions and ask how it's going for you so far!
We'll start with a review of some of the practices and policies that are covered in the forms you will have already read and signed, just to verify understanding and give the opportunity to address any questions you might have.
I will then begin asking you questions to understand your hopes and goals for therapy and to begin to understand what brought you to therapy. It usually takes the first few sessions to establish bigger pictures goals and to lay out a general path forward on how to reach those goals.
I'll also check in frequently throughout the session to address questions and ask how it's going for you so far!
how long do I need to be in therapy?
Good question! This is hard to have a one-size-fits-all-answer. It will likely be different for every individual depending on a number of factors. Some factors to consider are: the severity and longevity of the issues you are experiencing, the nature of and number of goals you want to achieve, your ability to engage in the process and translate the work you do in our sessions into your life outside of sessions, and your availability to meet consistently.
I meet with most clients weekly, and a few every other week. We review goals and progress at least every 6 months or so, and more frequently as needed. Since the type of therapy I practice is insight-oriented and mindfulness-based, many of my clients work with me long-term - beyond 1 year - for on-going support navigating life's challenges. I also work with many folks who have a lifetime of struggles to unravel, make sense of and overcome which is generally long-term work as well.
At the end of the day, you get to decide how long you want to be in therapy. I will absolutely support you in figuring out what makes the most sense for you at any give time, even if that means decreasing frequency of sessions, stepping away altogether, or helping you find a different therapist or other support that feels like a better fit!
I meet with most clients weekly, and a few every other week. We review goals and progress at least every 6 months or so, and more frequently as needed. Since the type of therapy I practice is insight-oriented and mindfulness-based, many of my clients work with me long-term - beyond 1 year - for on-going support navigating life's challenges. I also work with many folks who have a lifetime of struggles to unravel, make sense of and overcome which is generally long-term work as well.
At the end of the day, you get to decide how long you want to be in therapy. I will absolutely support you in figuring out what makes the most sense for you at any give time, even if that means decreasing frequency of sessions, stepping away altogether, or helping you find a different therapist or other support that feels like a better fit!
do you take insurance?
Yes! I partner with a company called Headway to be able to offer you the option of using your insurance to help pay for therapy. I am able to accept the following insurances: Optum, United Healthcare, Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Even if you have one of these insurances, it is not a guarantee that I will be able to accept it. Some insurance plans actually partner with a separate insurance provider to cover mental health services. Verifying whether or not I am in-network with your plan and what your benefits and coverage details are will all be taken care of prior to getting started so you can make an informed decision about how you'll pay for therapy.
There are a couple of other important considerations in whether or not you'll want to utilize your insurance benefits to pay for therapy. These include:
We can absolutely discuss the above and any other questions you have about cost and insurance prior to getting started.
Even if you have one of these insurances, it is not a guarantee that I will be able to accept it. Some insurance plans actually partner with a separate insurance provider to cover mental health services. Verifying whether or not I am in-network with your plan and what your benefits and coverage details are will all be taken care of prior to getting started so you can make an informed decision about how you'll pay for therapy.
There are a couple of other important considerations in whether or not you'll want to utilize your insurance benefits to pay for therapy. These include:
- Limits in confidentiality. If insurance is paying for therapy, they want to know that the services are "medically necessary", that we have goals established, that progress is being made towards those goals, and a few other details. I am required to document these things in your chart, and your insurance has the right to audit this information at any time.
- Medical Necessity and Diagnoses. In order for insurance to agree to pay for therapy, they require that you have a diagnosable problem first, in other words a mental health disorder. You may be coming to therapy already knowing you have a depression or anxiety diagnosis, or maybe you are looking to get clarity on a diagnosis. But some people come to therapy to get ahead of their issues reaching the severity of a diagnosable disorder. If you are seeking therapy but do not meet criteria for a mental health disorder, unfortunately, you will not qualify for insurance to help pay for therapy.
We can absolutely discuss the above and any other questions you have about cost and insurance prior to getting started.
