FAQ

As a professional counselor, I do not believe that counseling is only for those with something “wrong” with them.  Counseling is also for the “normal” and I can work with you to improve your mental health, wellness, and growth.

Let me explain a bit about how I view therapy. I will not solve your problems. I see my role as either a coach or facilitator, to help you look at whatever problem brings you here and possibly look at it from various different perspectives. I will work with you to help you make changes that are healthy for you and we will work together in identifying a different path to solving the problem. I tend to not look for just problems and weaknesses or to attach blame; rather my hope is to assist you in capitalizing on your strengths and finding a way that works for addressing the goals that you formulate.

Our sessions are considered confidential. There are certain circumstances, however, when I, as a mental health professional, may be required to break confidentiality. These exceptions might include when there is an eminent threat to harm oneself or others, there is suspected abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult, requested information from insurance companies relevant to billing matters or when there is a court order to provide records. Outside of these legal circumstances, I must have your written permission to discuss your situation outside of my office. If more than one person attends any sessions during the course of therapy, I must have written permission from everyone before releasing information.

In addition, in order to provide the best services for my clients and to brainstorm about possible solutions, I occasionally consult with the other clinicians in my office and in a peer supervision group that I meet with. When I do this, I do not give names or any identifying information. If you are uncomfortable with this, please let me know and I will avoid discussing your circumstances without your explicit permission. If you have any concerns about these limitations on confidentiality, or other questions in this regard, I will be willing to discuss these issues in more depth.

I accept insurance and a list is provided below of participating providers:

Therapy sessions typically last approximately 50 minutes and are by appointment only. A 50 percent nonrefundable deposit is required to secure your appointment. That time is reserved for you and subject to a 24 hour cancellation policy. If you do not call to cancel or reschedule your appointment with at least 24 hours advance notice or you fail to appear for your appointment, your deposit will not be refunded. Should you need to cancel or reschedule, please do so at least 24 hours prior to your appointment to avoid forfeiting your 50 percent deposit. Late arrivals will limit the time of your appointment. In an effort to not delay the next client, your appointment will end at its scheduled time.

The fee for services will be determined prior to an individual counseling session. Please note that I will determine your eligibility to participate via Skype or FaceTime counseling.

Generally, a series of 10 individual counseling sessions is recommended. If payment is made in total up front, there is a discounted rate.  If you choose to pay as you go, you will pay the full per session charge. A series of 10 sessions can be completed weekly in three months or biweekly in six months.

There are as many reasons to seek counseling as there are people. No two people are alike. Individuals come to me seeking a non-judgmental space in which to express themselves, to take time to talk about issues with the privilege of confidentiality, to get help with something that has been weighing on their mind or creating stress in their life, and many other reasons. Some people think that only those with severe psychological problems seek the help of a therapist, but that is simply not the case. If you find yourself thinking, “maybe I should talk to someone about this,” then that is the perfect time to pick up the phone and call to see if therapy might be a good option for you.

Many people who contact me have some reservations about coming in for counseling. Indeed, there are a wide variety of doubts that can crop up. If you are feeling this way, I suggest calling so that we can discuss your issue over the phone free of charge. Following this brief consultation, my advice is usually to go ahead and try one session. If you decide not to continue, there is no pressure or obligation to do so. Occasionally, you may require services I do not provide or that fall outside of my area of expertise. In that instance, I will be happy to refer you to an appropriate provider in the area.

The number of sessions needed depends on a number of factors: the issue at hand, the amount of time a person would like to devote to the process, and so forth. This is something that will be addressed in the first session when we discuss your goals for our time together.

Sessions are available by appointment, Monday through Friday, from 4:30 PM until 8:00 PM. Occasionally, appointments are available between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. Special exceptions can be made with no change in cost depending on my schedule. Please call for further information.

I offer individual counseling sessions online (via video or voice conference) or by telephone. All individual counseling sessions are by appointment only.  This service is not appropriate for all clients. I will determine your eligibility to participate in sessions via a HIPPAA compliant video conference. Please note the limitations regarding video sessions below.

Confidentiality of Online, Cell Phone, Fax Communication, and Use of Technology: I do not use Facebook, Twitter, or any social media for any client-related communication and I do not store client names on my phone. Additionally,
• SMS text messaging is acceptable for appointments and housekeeping issues only
• If you call me on a cell phone, please be aware that the conversation is not secure and confidential
• I will not respond to any personal or clinical concerns using regular email.

Your HIPAA rights to privacy and personal safety, both of which I have an obligation to protect, are my main concern here. I make every effort to keep all information confidential. Likewise, I ask that you determine who has access to your computer and electronic info from your location if we are working online together. This would include family members, co-workers, supervisors, and friends, and whether or not confidentiality from your work or personal computer could be compromised through such programs as keylogger. I encourage you to communicate only through a computer which is safe and be sure to fully exit all online counseling sessions or emails. I do not place my practice as a check in location at various sites. Please do not use location based services on your mobile phone or any device that requires you to check in, as others could easily surmise you are at a counseling appointment

Online Therapy and Its Limitations: If we agree that distance counseling could benefit you, it can be conducted by Skype or FaceTime. Be advised, however, that these methods can be compromised. If we are scheduled for an online synchronous audio or video conference and we are unable to connect or are disconnected during the meeting due to a technical breakdown, please try to reconnect within 10 minutes. If this is not possible, contact me to schedule a new session time. You as the client understand that distance therapy is a different experience as compared to in-person sessions, and there are risks given the relative lack of cues available in face-to-face interaction such as misperceptions or misunderstandings of expression, tone, body language, and choice of words. For this reason safety is paramount. You will need to supply the name of an emergency contact who will be available to respond to you in your local area (15 miles) during and following an online session. You understand that online psychotherapy with me is not a substitute for medication or other therapies under the care of a doctor, if you need it. You understand online therapy is not appropriate if you are experiencing a crisis or having suicidal or homicidal thoughts. You understand that I follow the laws and professional regulations of the State of Florida (USA) and the psychotherapy treatment will be considered to take place in the state of Florida (USA). Typically, I do not conduct online therapy with clients whose permanent domicile is located outside my license jurisdiction.