Ask and you shall find...

The goal of this section is to provide answers to some of the frequently asked questions regarding our practice in the hope that coming to visit with us will be less intimidating and a client will be able to find the right clinical practice just for them. 

The first point of contact with our practice is requesting an appointment. You will find this link on multiple ares within our website, under the Get Started. This is appoinment request allows us to gather basic information and a very brief description of what you are experiencing and symptoms. Do your best to describe current issue(s). We will evaluate specific thoughts, behaviors and symptoms when as treatment begins and progresses. Once we receive a request, an appointment time will be confirmed. Insurance eligibility and benefits will be checked by our staff. In order to comprehensively treat each and every client, a Well Woman Visit is required prior to implmenting medications. This assessment  will provide us an opportunity to visit with a client on an extensive level which we feel is required in order to treat all women on an individual basis. A review of a client's physical health, mental health, medications use, substance use and abuse, physical and emotional abuse history (if relevant), cognitive functioning, social and interpersonal informations. A physical examination and various laboratory screenings will be performed. If needed, subsequent medical visits will be scheduled and structured around a clients specific needs, condition(s), and appropriate recommended treatments.

What is involved in a psychotherapy session ?

Lying on a couch is no longer required. Instead, clients are welcomed into our practice in a relaxed comfortable home-like environment for conversation sessions. Sometimes psychotherapy sessions will have a plan for what will be discussed during a particular session; at other times, the client drives the conversation.

First and foremost, we want clients to have an idea of what will occur during psychotherapy sessions, so the basic structure does not feel intimidating. Most sessions start with the client disclosing what has been happening in their lives, and for some, since our last meeting. We check in on any homework (a client's personal work!) that was suggested. Clients are asked if there is anything they want to talk about. Psychotherapy sessions are most productive when a client has outlined goals for therapy (what they would like to be different when therapy is finished) which always provides areas for conversations. This is a clients therapeutic time, so again a client is very much in charge as to the topics and conversations discussed. 

Basically, whatever information a client reports during psychotherapy sessions, stays in private.  However, there are times when a there is a legal obligation to break confidentiality:

• Harm to self or others.  If imminent danger of hurting oneself or someone else, a family member, the police or ambulance will be called to ensure safety.

• A child under the age of 16 or older adult in care is in danger. In these cases, Family and Children’s Services or the police will be called.

• Your files are subpoenaed by the court in regards to legal matters.

• A client experienced a health emergency during a session.  In this case, medical staff would be provided only with necessary information. No information about why a client is in therapy will be shared.

Confidentiality will be upheld into the community. Clients that are seen in the community will not be addressed as we do not want to put anyone in a situation where they have to explain how they know our staff. We are always open to speaking to clients outside of the office, but they should make first contact.

Please refer to Patient Form. All clients are required to provide consent and authorization prior to treatments.

Every clients's insurance plan is different in regards to their health and mental health coverage. Our office will verify a clients specific benefit coverage for a plan prior to an appointment. All clients are required to have a credit card on file in the event professional services are rendered and insurance benefits will not remit payment. We have implemented a policy that enables a client to maintain a credit card securely on file.

If I do not have insurance, what are the charges for psychotherapy?

Medical services, such as appointments, laboratory testing costs, provided by our practice have a wide range of pricing. Please contact our office directly for specifics. Psychotherapy sessions can have varying pricing depending on the nature of the visit and duration.

When can I have a Therapy, Comfort, or Emotional Support Animal present during a psychotherapy session?

Once a client completes the Well Woman Exam and they are starting psychotherapy sessions, our Practice Therapy Animals may participate in individual sessions. Our Practice Therapy Animals are only introduced to clients with a client's full consent.

Every client is different, with different needs for the amount of time they will be seeing a psychologist. Psychotherapy is truly an art form. Our practice operates from the perspective of ‘this is your therapy’ and you get to choose. If a client is in crisis, then it is suggested meeting weekly until things become more stable. Once the crisis has passed, sessions can move to bi-weekly or even monthly. This schedule depends on what the client chooses as well as what is in their best interest therapeutically. The overall goal for our clients, is that they feel better and go back to their lives.