FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
CAN WE SPEAK ON THE PHONE BEFORE I BOOK AN APPOINTMENT?
Yes, I offer a no-charge 10-minute telephone consultation to answer specific questions and determine if I am an appropriate option for your treatment. After the phone call if you would like to schedule a full consultation, I will email you a questionnaire to complete before our first meeting.
WHAT IS YOUR FEE?
For an initial consultation, evaluation, and initiating treatment, the fee is $400 for one hour.
Follow-up visits are as follows:
In-depth therapy with medication management (45 mins) - $300
Medication management with brief supportive therapy (30 mins) - $200
HOW DOES PAYMENT WORK?
Payment is collected at the time of the session. I accept all credit and debit cards, as well as HSA cards, or cash. I will provide you with a receipt, and upon request, an invoice for each session.
DO YOU TAKE INSURANCE?
As of 3/1/23, I accept all Aetna health insurance plans except Medicare. For all other insurers, I am an out-of-network provider. However, many patients collect a partial or full reimbursement if they have out-of-network coverage in their insurance. If you have this benefit, you can submit the session invoices to your insurance company.
DO YOU PROVIDE MEDICATION OR THERAPY?
I provide both! I find it ideal and convenient for my patients to obtain both from one specialist. I am trained in psychopharmacology and use the entire range of medications to treat many diagnoses. I am careful in my selection to maximize benefits, reduce side effects, and keep only meds that are necessary. In addition, through my training I am adept in using supportive, psychodynamic (insight-oriented), and CBT inspired therapy. Research has shown that when therapy and medication are combined, the therapeutic effect can be synergistic and greater than what either one can do alone. Medication can provide immediate relief while we take time in therapy to explore underlying issues and achieve long term gains.
HOW FREQUENT ARE SESSIONS?
For medication only, sessions occur every 1-3 months but are more frequent (every 1-2 weeks) in the beginning of treatment (for 1-2 months) For psychotherapy sessions the frequency can be weekly or every two weeks.
WHAT IF I ALREADY HAVE A THERAPIST OR WANT A SEPARATE ONE?
I am more than happy to work with your current therapist while maintaining a medication regimen that works for you. If you prefer to find a separate therapist, that's fine too. I work with many LCSW's and PhD's in the area.