My Better Day

Q. What should I do to prepare for our first appointment?

A. Please plan to arrive 15 minutes early before your initial appointment in order to complete paperwork so that we can make the most of our time together.

Q. What happens at our first appointment?

A. Our first appointment is an opportunity for you and me to meet each other, gather information and generally get to know one another. My goal will be to get to know you and to learn about your issues. I will be asking you a lot of questions (why are you seeking counseling now? what are you hoping to change?) as well as answering whatever questions you have. Your job will be to tell me your story as openly as you can and to decide if I am a good fit for you. We’ll finish by discussing whether we want to work together, and if so, how and when.

Q. What if you are not a good fit for me?

A. Fit is really important and studies show that when the fit is good, the outcome of the therapy improves. Not every counselor-client combination is right. If we’re not a good fit, I won’t take it personally, and I’ll do everything I can to help you find a counselor who’s a better match for you. The best therapeutic work is when both parties are comfortable with one another.

Q. What’s special about your practice?

A. My strengths lie in helping individuals with mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety and low self-esteem). As a psychiatric nurse for over 30 years, I understand the value of teaching coping skills to clients so they can get some relief from the uncomfortable symptoms that bother them. I will take time to understand where you have been, what has and hasn’t worked for you in the past, and how those things affect you now. I believe that your history is important only to the extent that it impacts your choices today. The focus of our therapy will be on where you want to go and how we can get you there. It is about possibilities – possibilities for healing, possibilities for growth, possibilities for change, possibilities for learning, possibilities for insight and possibilities for understanding.

Q. What happens at future appointments?

A. After the first appointment, we will both have a better understanding of what paths to go down, so we will begin to have more focused conversations specifically addressing those areas of most importance to you. We will set goals for therapy and focus on the areas that will provide you with relief. I encourage clients to learn all that they can about the areas that we are working on and will sometimes ask if you are willing to do some work at home before our next session to help expedite your journey towards health. Often I will recommend books, or articles to support you in your learning.

Q. How often will I need to see you?

A. The answer is different for every client so we’ll decide together what makes sense for you. We may meet every week, every other week, or once a month. And, we may meet for a few months, a full year, or longer, depending upon your needs. Some clients even schedule “tune ups” once a year just to stay focused on their progress.

Q. What are your fees?

A. There are a variety of options available based upon frequency of treatment and modality. My office will work with you to provide affordable treatment.

Q. Do you accept insurance?

A. I do not bill insurance companies directly or take responsibility for collecting from your insurance carrier. However, I will provide you with receipts that you may submit to your insurance company. Most insurance companies will pay something towards psychotherapy. I encourage you to contact your insurance company for specific details of your coverage.

Q. How do I get started?

A. The best way to get started is to call me today! I look forward to working with you!