What are the benefits of private pay?
Choosing to pay privately (without insurance) helps to ensure your utmost confidentiality and privacy when working together. I do not need to release your records to any third party without your consent. Also, when using your insurance, I must diagnose you with a mental health condition that will become part of your medical record. If you choose to pay privately, information about the nature of your treatment and the issues discussed in sessions will remain solely between you and I. Thus, it is important to consider which option you prefer and are most comfortable with prior to beginning treatment.
How do you decide your rates?
My private pay rates are competitive to the area served and the services provided. I am a specialist in the field of couples and sex therapy with years of post-graduate education, training, and credentials. Rates take into consideration my education, training, experience, and current insurance reimbursement rates in Michigan. Please note that payment is due at the time of service.
How often does therapy last, and how often do I need to come?
The length of time therapy takes varies for each client and is influenced by the presenting problem as well as the goals of the counseling process. I prefer to see clients on a weekly basis for the first several months to develop an accurate understanding of who you are and your developmental history as well as understand your needs and formulate a specific treatment plan. Once we feel that progress has been made or your symptoms have improved, we can reduce frequency of treatment to biweekly, monthly, or as needed.
Do you do couples counseling?
Yes! I provide both couples and individual counseling.
How do I know if I should pursue individual or couples therapy with you? Do I have to choose?
According to the American Counseling Association, it is not ethical for a therapist to see a client for both individual and couples therapy at the same time due to potential breaches of confidentiality or issues of loyalty. Therefore, when beginning treatment with me, it is recommended that you choose between individual or couples therapy.
If you are interested in couple’s therapy and your partner is also willing to attend, I often encourage couples to come in together for the first session. This will allow each partner to have an opportunity to share their perspective and decide if couples therapy is a good fit for them. I will also be able to assess the role of each partner in the relationship dynamic, clarify goals, and then we may address relationship concerns in individual therapy, if you choose to do so.
What if my partner is unavailable or willing to come? What if I want to speak to you first? Can we do couples therapy later?
Yes, you may choose to pursue individual therapy for couples concerns or opt to bring your partner into session with you later on. I have had success in working with clients who wish to address relationship issues in individual therapy as well as self-esteem, anxiety, and depression as it impacts their current relationship. At times, the other member of the couple may want to attend a session or see me to process thoughts and feelings on their own. It is important to understand how including your partner in therapy may impact your privacy and we will outline my policy on confidentiality and third-party disclosure of information in our first session.
What if we are already seeing a couples (or individual) therapist?
I am accustomed to working with a client or couple who is also pursuing counseling with another therapist. With your permission, I will make every effort to communicate or collaborate with your individual or couple’s therapist so that you may receive treatment in a consistent manner. I can also make a referral if you are seeking one.
I’m not sure I’m ready to start treatment. How can therapy help me?
Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies that are different from talking to a friend or family member. They can provide a non-biased, educated perspective on a difficult problem you may have or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how much you put into the process and practice what you learn. Some of the benefits of therapy include:
- Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals, and values
- Developing skills for improving your relationships
- Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
- Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
- Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
- Improving communications and listening skills
- Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
- Discovering new ways to solve problems with your family, partner, or work
- Improving your self-esteem and boosting your self-confidence
How does it work? What do I do in sessions?
I tailor my therapeutic approach to your specific needs, and therefore no two sessions are alike. In general, you can expect to discuss the current happenings in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, and report progress (or any new insights gained) from the previous therapy session or outside of your session. I like to utilize research, exercises, books, and other resources in our session and I usually have you work on these skills outside of therapy. By the time our journey is completed together, the goal is that you are able to act as your own counselor!
How can I get the most out of therapy?
It is important to understand that you will get quicker and more significant results from therapy if you actively participate in and commit to the process. This includes taking chances, being open, showing up on time and attending sessions regularly, doing the homework and being patient as you allow the process to work. It takes months to unlearn a bad habit, imagine how many years you’ve spent developing some of the relationship dynamics, insecurities, or negative self-talk that may be keeping you from reaching your goals. The purpose of therapy is to educate and help you to bring what you learn back into your life so you don’t need it anymore. Beyond the work we do in your therapy sessions, I am a big advocate for implementation of techniques and homework outside of our sessions together. Since our session is only 50 minutes long, the fastest way to see a positive change is to start implementing these skills into your daily life.
My Ideal Client Is Someone Who:
- Desires to change but might not know what to do or where to start
- Is taking steps to improve their world and those around them
- Sees inward reflection as beneficial
- Is reliable and committed to meeting together
Please contact us if you have more questions or would like to schedule an intake appointment.