Practical Matters

Initial Consultations

A consultation, usually one to two sessions, can serve as a first step in identifying, exploring, and addressing the issues that prompted you to seek services.

For many, this may be their first experience with a mental health professional. I see my role as encouraging you to tell your story, and working to understand what you are trying to communicate, both by what is said and by what isn’t said.

A consultation can be used as a springboard for further services that go beyond three or four sessions.

Sessions: An initial consultation session is 60 minutes for adults and children/adolescents. Subsequent psychotherapy sessions are 45 minutes in duration and take place once or twice a week.

To learn more, check out my Fees & Insurance page.

Privacy & Confidentiality

The law protects the privacy and confidentiality of all communications between a patient and a psychotherapist, but there are few exceptions when information must be released to others without a patient’s consent. Before taking action, every effort is made to discuss the situation at hand with a patient and disclosure will be limited to what is absolutely necessary.

Exceptions to confidentiality:

• Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect
• Suspected Elder Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation
• Posing a Threat to Self or Other
• Threat of Serious Bodily Harm to Other/s

Phone Calls: I do not charge for brief phone calls. Phone calls that last more than 20 minutes are pro-rated at the agreed upon session fee.

Emergencies and Urgent Calls: If you are my patient and experience a clinical emergency, it is imperative that you call 911 or go to your local emergency room.  Since I am not available 24 hours, I can not provide emergency services. However, if you are my patient and have an urgent issue that is not an emergency, leave a message and I will call you back as soon as I possibly can.

Vacations: I will give you ample notice before I take vacation. During some vacations, I may have someone “covering” for me.