Information and Forms

Where Should We Begin?

For those who are new to psychotherapy, there are often many mixed feelings experienced around reaching out for help. I work hard to ensure that the beginning stages of therapy are as comfortable and supportive as possible. Our first appointment together would be an initial consultation session in which we will work together to determine how I can best be of help, and if we are a good fit to work together. I would be happy to speak via telephone first, or at our initial consultation. Please feel free to ask me any questions you may have that will aid you in deciding if I am a good fit to work with you in meeting your therapeutic goals.

Forms

When you become a client, the following forms will be sent conveniently to you via email to complete digitally before your first session (paper versions available upon request):

Intake & Informed Consent Forms
HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practice
Printable Map to 2000 P St NW

What about Confidentiality?

Your privacy and confidentiality are of utmost importance to me as your therapist.

I will not even acknowledge that you are in therapy with me unless you provide me with written permission to do so. I am ethically and legally bound to keep all therapy related material that you share with me confidential except in three very important, legally mandated, exceptions:

1. Your statements lead me to suspect child, dependent adult, or elder abuse.
2. Your statements lead me to suspect that you intend to inflict physical harm on yourself or on another human being.
3. I am ordered to disclose information by a court.

In all instances, every effort will be made to discuss concerns with you first before anyone else gets involved. Information conveyed to others will be kept to the minimum required and where a solution is available that does not include others that will always be the first choice.

With your express written consent, I do welcome the opportunity to collaborate with any of your health providers in order to provide the most informed treatment possible.

At any time, if questions arise regarding the confidentiality of our work together, please mention your concerns to me so that we can explore them and ensure they do not interfere with your treatment.

Can I Use My Health Insurance?

The risks and benefits of using health insurance for therapy deserve consideration before making a decision. While your insurance can pay for a portion of your therapy, there are other considerations. Because I am not an in-network provider, this means that your insurance cannot interfere with or set limits on the frequency or duration of our therapy sessions and, cannot prevent you from obtaining treatment you deserve.

When thinking about insurance, consider the fact that many managed care companies make determinations of whether or not continued mental health treatment is necessary without ever meeting you or your therapist.

I am an “out of network” provider, which means if your insurance policy has out-of-network benefits, you can receive some reimbursement for the cost of our work together.

Contact your insurance company to find out what your specific coverage is and if you have “out-of-network” benefits. I will provide you with a monthly receipt that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. For insurance to cover therapy, it is required that you be given a psychiatric diagnosis. I am happy to discuss the process with you in greater detail as insurance policies and processes can be confusing and overwhelming.

How long are the sessions and what are the costs?

Individual and couples sessions usually last 45 minutes, and group sessions last 75 minutes. Attending regularly, as well as starting and ending on time are considered vital to the treatment process, therefore please consider your appointment time a priority. Baring an emergency, you will be expected to pay for missed appointments. My professional fees are:

Individual $250 (45 minutes)
Couples/Relationship $284 (45 minutes)
Group $133 (75 minutes)

I also offer limited sliding scale fee appointments for those clients who cannot afford my normal fees.