My focus is to help you develop an inner life in order to reduce symptoms and feel more free and engaged.
First Counseling Sessions
In the beginning, we will meet a few times to identify your goals and to mutually decide if my way of working can help you achieve those goals. During this time, you can get a sense of me and how I work, and I will make every effort to communicate my understanding of what troubles you. This stage is vital to the success of our work together as it helps us get on the same page about what you want from therapy and gives you a sense of what is possible.
Ongoing Treatment
If we decide to continue, we will meet consistently and work towards achieving your goals. I will listen intently for certain cues (thoughts, feelings, images, dreams) in order to understand what troubles you and how to find resolution. Listening to your inner world in this way will help you change your life circumstances, by making sense of what may seem to be nonsensical, chaotic and often overwhelming and conflicted thoughts and feelings.
Sessions & Fees
Sessions typically last 50 minutes and are scheduled on a weekly or multi-week basis. I do offer longer sessions for couples and families if needed. My fee is $250 per session for individuals and couples and $270 for families for a 50 minute session. I may be able to offer a reduced fee during day-time sessions for those who cannot otherwise afford my full fee.
Conditions for Effective Therapy
In order for our therapy sessions to be effective and lively, I actively attend to the following conditions:
1. Keeping the lines of communication open – I will encourage you to share any feelings you might have about our work together at a pace you are comfortable with, as well as help you to explore your thoughts and feelings as they arise in our sessions. Rather than judge, I bring an attitude of curiosity and humility to what you share with me.
2. Understanding the arc of therapy – It is important to know that this process takes time. It may have taken you many years to get to the place where you feel the need to explore psychotherapy. Although you will certainly see some changes relatively quickly, lasting change takes time and practice. I tend to work with individuals and couples on a longer-term basis.
3. Maintaining sound policies – Through experience, I have developed a set of policies that enable a deeper level of exploration. Once we decide to work together on a longer term basis, we can discuss these policies so the parameters are clear and consistent.
A Note on Health Insurance
I am not on any insurance panels at this time. I can provide you with a statement of service that you can send to your insurance company for reimbursement. You can contact your health insurance company to find out if they reimburse you for out-of network providers and, if so, what their procedures are for reimbursement.