Have questions on my services? Please find answers to some frequently asked questions.
Each session lasts between 45 to 50 minutes. The client and I will establish a schedule based on availability, needs, and preferences. Some people attend counseling for a few months, and other clients attend for a few years. You can end treatment at any time.
The first session lasts 60 minutes, and I learn more about your therapy goals, background, and relevant history, and how you want to grow and change. I'll ask follow-up questions from your intake form. If necessary, I'll talk more during the first session to help you feel more comfortable. We'll review the Informed Consent document and office policies. The first session is NOT indicative of what therapy will be. The state of Illinois makes it very procedural. I do my best to make it suck less! :-)
Weekly sessions are the most effective investment, both in time and money. Each session lasts for 50 minutes, and we will pick a time that is the same every week.
Initial Consultation (60 min) - $ 225
Individual Session (50 min) - $200
Check with your insurance company to determine if they cover sessions with out-of-network providers. My clients pay for therapy out of pocket because the advantages outweigh the limited financial benefit.
Treatment decisions are a collaboration between you and me based on your best interest. Your insurance company makes decisions based on profit margins.
Insurance requires a mental health diagnosis that is permanently on your medical history. It can make obtaining life insurance costly later in life.
It's essential to be aware that insurance providers may request reimbursement for treatment they determine did not meet their criteria for medical necessity up to two years after your last therapy session. It's crucial to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing insurance to cover the cost of therapy and make an informed decision about your payment method.
I offer appointments Monday - Thursday between 11:00am and 4:30pm, but I understand that it can be difficult to fit therapy into a busy schedule. I'm here to help you find a time that works for you, so if my current availability doesn't suit your needs, please let me know. I'm committed to finding a therapist who can better accommodate your schedule.
If you start to feel sick more than 48 hours before our appointment, let me know, and I’m happy to take you off my schedule! It’s easier for me to fit in with another client who needs to meet when you give us enough advanced notice.
If your appointment is on Monday, you must cancel by Wednesday at 5;00 PM to avoid paying for your session,
You are not expected to pay for the missed session if I am sick or cancel.
My expertise is with teen girls (15+) and twenty and thirty-something women ready and willing to invest in themselves.
Meeting weekly allows us to keep moving forward and pick up speed. Meeting every two weeks is less productive, as most of the session time is spent catching up on the past rather than moving forward.
Clients who move to bimonthly after the first four sessions have a higher rate of therapy dropout than clients who meet weekly. However, with commitment and determination, clients can see benefits from meeting every two weeks.
I'm not the best therapist if you want to meet less than every two weeks.
After-school hours are the most in demand. Once an afternoon session time becomes available, I give first dibs to current clients. If you can start with a non-preferred session time, I may provide you with dibs when your ideal time opens up. Let’s set up a phone consultation to see if we’re a good fit, and then we can discuss scheduling options.
I have specialized training to work with clients 15-30 years old. I do not work with anyone under 15 years old except on a case-by-case basis.
That's a common question from parents. Parent participation can be one of those critical factors in teen counseling. I generally like to keep parents in the loop on the issues we're addressing, progress, and attendance, and I imagine there are many things you probably want to know. Also, it's essential to hear your side of what is going on since you may have unique views regarding your teen's challenges.
I keep confidentiality regarding specific details discussed in counseling as long as they don't put your teen or someone else at risk of harm. I will discuss this with your teen before talking to you when there is specific information that would benefit your teen for you to know. I will get their consent and inform you of this information so that everyone is comfortable. If I share many details with you without their permission, it can damage the counseling relationship and cause them to stop sharing and being open. It sometimes ruins counseling for them, and these effects may last a lifetime. I do everything I can to keep parents in the loop, which is usually not an issue.