Frequently Asked Questions
HOW OFTEN WILL WE MEET AND FOR HOW LONG?
These are questions that are discussed during the first meeting. Each situation is different, resulting in variability in frequency and number of visits. Psychotherapy sessions generally last 45 - 50 minutes. In the beginning, it often works out best to meet every week or every other week. This helps with developing comfort and with continuity between sessions. Meeting less often may result in sessions focused on "catching up," leaving less time to address issues.
The number of sessions needed varies. More limited goals may be reached within a few sessions, while farther-reaching goals may require more time.
DO I NEED TO HAVE SPECIFIC GOALS IN MIND?
Sometimes people come with very specific goals that they want to achieve. Frequently people come knowing what is not working for them but unsure of their goals. It is not necessary to know specifically what is needed. We will start by discussing your concern and work together to figure out how therapy might help.
HOW MUCH GUIDANCE WILL YOU GIVE ME?
Therapy is a partnership that requires the active participation of both therapist and client. My approach is to work together to determine what approach will be most helpful. Some people prefer a lot of guidance and ideas about what to do to address concerns, while others find it beneficial to focus on understanding themselves and their experience. In many cases a combination of specific guidance and work on understanding is the most helpful. I encourage clients to give me feedback throughout our work together about what is working and what they may need more or less of.
DO YOU TAKE INSURANCE?
Reimbursement for mental health services depends upon the specifics of your insurance plan and whether your provider is in your insurance plan's network. These basic arrangements apply to all providers, not only to me.
Health insurance plans vary in the mental health benefits they offer. Some plans require subscribers to use the services of network providers in order to get reimbursed. Some will allow subscribers to use out-of-network providers. If your insurance company allows you to see out-of-network providers, you will be reimbursed for some portion of the bill for any mental health clinician that you see.
If your provider is in your insurance plan's network, then the provider bills the insurance company, and the insurance company pays the provider directly. You are responsible for paying deductibles, co-payments, and the full amount for appointments that are missed and not cancelled prior to 24 hours before the appointment.
If your provider is not part of the insurance company's network, in some cases the insurance company will still pay the provider directly. In this case you will be responsible for the amount not covered by insurance. Some insurance companies require you to pay the provider and seek reimbursement later, and still others will not reimburse at all for out-of-network providers. In all cases, you will be responsible for missed but uncancelled appointments
I am a provider for some insurance companies, and some other companies pay me as an out- of- network provider. The list of which plans I am a provider for changes from time to time. The best thing to do is to call me and discuss your specific insurance plan.
HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL MY INSURANCE COVER?
Most companies that are based in Rhode Island are covered by Rhode Island laws and are required to reimburse for 30 sessions of mental health treatment per calendar year. Companies based in Massachusetts generally reimburse 24 sessions of psychotherapy per year. Sometimes benefits are unlimited, and sometimes benefits are less than 24 sessions. Most insurance companies have a number you can call to ask about the specifics of their mental health benefit. It is best to call this number to find out what your benefit is.