Psychotherapy is not easily described in general statements. It varies depending on the personalities of the psychologist and patient, and the particular problems you are experiencing. There are many different methods I may use to deal with the problems that you hope to address. Overall, the most important part of psychotherapy is my commitment to provide you with the best care and support necessary to help you meet your treatment goals.

Psychotherapy can have benefits and risks. Since therapy often involves discussing unpleasant aspects of your life, you may experience uncomfortable feelings like sadness, guilt, anger, frustration, loneliness, and helplessness. On the other hand, psychotherapy has also been shown to have many benefits. Therapy often leads to better relationships, solutions to specific problems, and significant reductions in feelings of distress. But there are no guarantees of what you will experience.

Based on your individual needs your therapy might be short-term (up to 20 sessions) or long-term (open ended therapy).  After our first or second session we can determine if your needs are short term or more long term

Short Term Therapy

In some cases, a person may benefit from short-term therapy.  Therapy does not need to take months or years to be effective.  My approach is to point out what works in a person’s life and build upon this.  By recognizing a wider selection of alternatives, you have increase awareness from which to make informed decisions and together we will work on helping you change behaviors and attitudes. Only in a few sessions, therapy may help to broaden options and lessen a person’s pain.  Usually this type of approach focuses on a specific problem.

Ongoing Therapy

You might want to focus on a number of problems, and look to improve your quality of life in many different areas.  This type of work takes time and it is a working relationship between you and I.  We both have to agree to work together, and if you feel our work is not helping you, you can say so, and we will discuss your options like: refer you to another therapist, and end therapy if you feel it is the right choice for you.

End of therapy is generally decided upon by you and me.  One of my policies is to support termination of therapy, for what ever reason. When you are ready to leave, I would like to help you leave well.  In order to leave well, all you need to do is give me advance notice that you are thinking about leaving.  Several weeks is sufficient, although some patients might let me know several months in advance.  What is nice about the end of our work together is that you get to take with you all of the work we did together!

My services are contracted with Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO. If you have this insurance, I am generally considered an in-network provider. However, certain plans have their mental health benefits managed by a third-party. If this is the case, I will not be considered an in-network provider. BEFORE YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT, YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR INSURANCE PROVIDER TO VERIFY THAT I AM COVERED UNDER YOUR BENEFITS.

If you are covered under a different plan that provides coverage for out-of-network providers, I can assist you by providing all the necessary information on your receipt so that you may file it with your insurance provider. In such instances, you will be reimbursed at your insurance provider’s rates.