FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Asking questions is the first step to understanding.
If this is my first time?
We know it can be scary and unnerving seeing a therapist for the first time. We will make it as comfortable for you as possible. The initial session is 90 minutes and the initial appointment rate is $225 per hour. The reason for a longer first session is to complete a comprehensive assessment. We hope by the end of the initial session that you will feel a sense of hope from the stress and uncertainty of the situation that brought you through our doors.
How long are the sessions?
Sessions are 55 minutes at $150 per hour.
What are your accepted methods of payment?
We accept cash, and all major credit cards. A 5% fee will be charged when using credit card payments.
What insurance do you take?
We DO take some insurances, however, there are reasons you may want to consider NOT using insurance.
For you to be covered, I have to diagnose you. This means you are NOT automatically covered simply because you are having a hard time, grieving a loved one, or “got stuck”. Additionally, the diagnosis you receive follows you on an official and permanent medical record. Some insurance companies may consider this a pre-existing condition if you ever have to look for your own coverage.
Your records are much less private. Your insurance company can audit your records whenever they want. A claims specialist can receive details of your case that you may not want to be shared.
The insurer decides how much therapy you need, and what kind. Many insurance companies stop covering after a few sessions, assuming you feel better and should be 'cured'. As I'm sure you know, that's just not how things work. Insurers will also require the therapist to engage in specific types of therapy that may not be a good fit for you.
If you choose to use your insurance, I am in-network with: Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Optum, Tulare-Kings Foundation for Medical Care, Adventist Health, Tricare and Compsych EAP. If you have Anthem PPO, they will cover half the cost of the session.
What if I am appointed by the court to attend therapy?
Kathy does take court appointed cases. She is a member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts and is a Court Involved Therapist. If you are court appointed to therapy, additional information will be needed. Individual therapy is sometimes covered by insurance, all other court appointed therapy is not.
How can therapy help me?
A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:
Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
Developing skills for improving your relationships
Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
Improving communications and listening skills
Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.
Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.
Why do people go to therapy & how do I know if it’s right for me?
People have many different motivations for coming to psychotherapy. Some may be going through a major life transition (unemployment, divorce, new job, etc.), or are not handling stressful circumstances well. Some people need assistance managing a range of other issues such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, addictions, relationship problems, spiritual conflicts and creative blocks. Therapy can help provide some much needed encouragement and help with skills to get them through these periods. Others may be at a point where they are ready to learn more about themselves or want to be more effective with their goals in life. In short, people seeking psychotherapy are ready to meet the challenges in their lives and ready to make changes in their lives.
What is therapy like?
Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual. In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, and report progress (or any new insights gained) from the previous therapy session. Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term, for a specific issue, or longer-term, to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development. Either way, it is most common to schedule regular sessions with your therapist (usually weekly).
It is important to understand that you will get more results from therapy if you actively participate in the process. The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn in session back into your life. Therefore, beyond the work you do in therapy sessions, your therapist may suggest some things you can do outside of therapy to support your process - such as reading a pertinent book, journaling on specific topics, noting particular behaviors or taking action on your goals. People seeking psychotherapy are ready to make positive changes in their lives, are open to new perspectives and take responsibility for their lives.
What about medication vs. psychotherapy?
It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness. Working with your medical doctor you can determine what's best for you, and in some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action.
Do you take insurance, and how does that work?
To determine if you have mental health coverage through your insurance carrier, the first thing you should do is call them. Check your coverage carefully and make sure you understand their answers. Some helpful questions you can ask them:
What are my mental health benefits?
What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
Is approval required from my primary care physician?
Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?
The law protects the relationship between a client and a psychotherapist, and information cannot be disclosed without written permission.
Exceptions include:
Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse, for which I am required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person/s, I must notify the police and inform the intended victim.
If a client intends to harm himself or herself, I will make every effort to enlist their cooperation in ensuring their safety. If they do not cooperate, I will take further measures without their permission that are provided to me by law in order to ensure their safety.