How do I get back to my Secure Portal to schedule and track appointments?

Follow this link to login to your secure portal.

What happens if I have insurance, but you don't accept it?

We have a few options if this is the case:

1) You can choose to pay for the session fee 'out-of-pocket', meaning that we don't bill any insurance provider.

2) I can provide you with something called a SuperBill after each session. This SuperBill will be given to you and you would then pass it along to your insurance provider. Some insurance providers will provide reimbursements for a percentage of the cost of each session. The possible reimbursement rate would be decided by your insurance provider, so if you are interested in this payment option I would suggest calling them up and asking what your benefits are for mental health care and out-of-network providers. Follow this link to download a free guide to insurance reimbursement.

Typically, how long does therapy last?

Each individual session lasts 50 minutes - give or take a few minutes for wrap up and scheduling.

As far as the longer duration of therapy in general - this really depends on what your goals are. The timeline of therapy can last anywhere from 1 session to however long you are wanting to work on your growth. If you are looking for skills and information to apply immediately to your daily life, then we are most likely looking at 6-8 weeks of regular appointments. If you are wanting a deeper dive, the overall duration becomes longer and will be determined together when we begin talking about your goals. 

What do I need to bring to the first session?

Just yourself! 

If you're a note-taker, then you are welcome to bring a notebook and pen as well. 

What can I expect to occur during the first session?

The first session is the time where you and I get to know each other a bit better. Typically, I review the intake paperwork and leave space for any questions you may have about the process (usually we do that during the initial phone call though). Then we would dive into what is bringing you into counseling at this time. Sometimes I use a structured list of questions and other times we simply have a conversation about what is going on in your life. 

Can I get rid of my anxiety completely?

Short answer: No, we cannot eliminate anxiety completely.

Long answer: Anxiety is your body’s protective mechanism; it is hard wired within you so it can keep you safe. If we had absolutely no protective response, we likely wouldn’t survive very long. You can, however, learn to understand and handle your anxiety in healthy and effective ways. Changing your perspective of anxiety is a huge step towards feeling in control of your life. There are also a number of natural, relaxation techniques which lead to reduced activation in the fear center of your brain when performed regularly. This means that, with time and the practice of healthy exercises, you can decrease the anxiety you feel.