Each treatment begins with an initial consultation to discuss your reasons for seeking therapy, as well as my clinical approach & style… so that we can have a chance to meet and assess whether or not we are a ‘good fit’. This hour also includes a review of my fees, policies, and how insurance billing works.
Insurance I accept include: Anthem/BlueCross, Aetna, Harvard Pilgrim, United Healthcare, United Behavioral Health, Maine Community Health Options, MaineCare, & Medicare.
After the initial consultation, the next 1-2 sessions will involve a formal evaluation where I collect information about your reason for seeking treatment, current life stressors, and your personal/relationship/family history. By the end of the evaluation, I will be able to offer you some first impressions of what our work with include, and a treatment plan. At this time, we will again re-assess whether or not your are comfortable moving forward, and whether or not I am the best person to provide the services you need. If we decide to continue, the the Treatment sessions will begin.
Each of the Treatment Sessions are approximately 1 hour (although some insurances will only reimburse for 45 minutes sessions). I will typically meet with a client on a weekly basis, unless we agree that it makes sense to meet more or less frequently.
Length of treatment varies from individual to individual. Some people feel their issues are adequately address and resolved in 6-8 weeks. Others will stay in treatment, as the nature of what they are working on is part of ongoing process. Often as people begin to resolve their issues, they will taper the frequency of their sessions (to every other week, or once a month) or will come in on an ‘as needed’ basis. Throughout the therapy, we will check periodically on the progress of treatment and discuss how to proceed. Terminating treatment is an option you have at any time, although it is best if we have at least one or two sessions in which to review our work together, and discuss options for future or alternative treatment.
Also, if at any point during our time together, we decide that you could benefit from a treatment I cannot provide, I will help you get it. And, if we feel you might benefit from a medical exam or use of psychotropic medication, we can discuss these options in-depth and I can refer you to a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner. I will then share any clinical information or coordinate with that provider at your request.