Usually the first session is focussed on gathering as much information as possible about you and your presenting concerns. We believe effective treatment is predicated on comprehensive and accurate assesment. In the first session we may ask questions about your current symptoms, family history, past therapy experiences, and other relevant information that may be important for a positive treatment outcome.The therapist may also take notes during the first session. Subsequent sessions, however, are more interactive and dynamic. We will help you define your treatment goals and begin to establish a plan to move forward in reaching those goals. These goals will give us a direction for treatment, and also provide us a way to be accountable to you.

That depends on your goals. Therapy is a very individual process. There is no set amount of time it takes to complete therapy. We will work with you in trying to establish a pace for treatment that is comfortable and effective. We will try to avoid moving so fast that it overwhelms your capacity to function, but also not move so slowly that you become discouraged. We will do our best to monitor the pace of therapy on a session by session bases, always trying to find the optimal pace that helps you benefit the most from treatment.

We find that most people benefit by attending weekly sessions at the beginning of treatment in order to create some positive momentum. Once you start feeling better you can attend less frenquently. We will work together with you in deciding upon a mutually agreed treatment interval. At the same time, should you be in crisis and need to be seen more often, we will do what makes the most clinical sense, taking into consideration what is in your best interest.

No. We collaborate with a number of Medical Doctors and Psychiatrists who can see you for a medication evaluation, should you need psycho-pharmacological intervention.

Unless appointments are cancelled at least 24 hours in advance of the scheduled time, there will be a full fee charge for missed or late appointments. We understand that emergencies do arise. Please discuss the nature of the emergency with your counselor to waive a late charge.

Our overall approach to counseling is to join with our clients in building a bridge between where you are and where you want to be. We believe that every individual has within him or herself the ability to change and grow. We have experienced the transforming power of developing a supportive, mutually respectful relationship with our clients. We have noticed that change occurs through a combination of insight and action. Our approach to building this bridge with our clients that leads to positive change is multi-layered. Below is a description of some of these layers.

Our approach is

1. Eclectic. We have advanced training in many areas of assessment and treatment including Psychodynamic, Interpersonal, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR and Sports Psychology. We have expertise in treating children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. We utilize interventions from multiple sources to best meet the needs of our clients.

2. Client Centered. We see each client as a unique individual. We make every effort to find the best fit between the treatment approach we use and our client’s personality, belief system, comfort level, and presenting problem.

3. Collaborative. We believe counseling is effective when the therapist and client have a positive and respectful relationship, and they are working together as a team to accomplish the identified goals.

4. Creative. We believe that every problem has a solution. Sometimes the solution is found by using conventional treatment methods. At other times it requires that we “think outside the box”. We are committed to exploring every creative means to help you achieve your goals.

5. Research Based. We strive to use a “Best Practices Model” in providing assessment and treatment to our clients. That is, we try to use methods and techniques that have been found to be effective in treating the issues that are being presented to us by our clients.

6. Strengths Based. We believe every client has a set of unique and individual strengths that he or she brings to treatment. It is our goal to help you discover and utilize these strengths to heal, grow, and move forward in your life.

7. Compassionate. We believe that genuine warmth, caring and understanding are essential ingredients to create an environment for our clients to grow and reach their full potential.

Payment (co-payments, deductibles, and co-insurance) is due at the beginning of each session. We accept cash, checks, and credit cards. We also are on many insurance panels. We will bill your insurance carrier on your behalf. However, your insurance coverage is a contract between you and your insurance company. Our primary relationship is with you, not your insurance carrier. We will cooperate with you and your insurance company to expedite payment of your claims. If your insurance company denies all or part of your claim, you are responsible for payment of the account. Remember, you are a customer of your insurance company and you pay the premiums for your insurance either directly or indirectly. Therefore, your insurance company must be responsible to you and answer your questions or concerns about your insurance coverage.