f r e q u e n t l y a s k e d q u e s t i o n s

p a y m e n t

Visits are paid for at the time of the session unless other arrangements have been made in advance. You may pay for sessions by check or cash. Please feel free to discuss with me during the course of our work together, any financial concerns that you may have.

i n s u r a n c e

Insurance reimbursements are handled by you, the client. I am licensed through the State of Connecticut and will provide you with a monthly statement of sessions and payments to submit to your insurance company. This statement will include all information necessary for the processing of your claim.

c a n c e l l a t i o n s

When scheduling an appointment, I am reserving a special time for you. Cancellations must be at least 24 hours in advance to avoid being charge for a missed session. These charges cannot be submitted to insurance.

Cancellations are accepted by voicemail only - no email cancellations.

in c a s e of e m e r g e n c y

If you need to contact me between sessions, please leave a message at my office: (203) 552~5280. I check messages regularly throughout the day and several times a day on the weekend. I will make every effort to return your call as soon as possible. If your situation is urgent and requires immediate attention, please call 911 or go to your local emergency room and inform me as soon as possible.

On occasion it is necessary for me to attend continuing education seminars, meetings, speaking engagements or take vacation time. You will be notified in advance during those times that I am unavailable and I will provide you with contact information of the on call professional will cover for me.

c o n f i d e n t i a l i t y

During your initial session you will be given a "Notice of Privacy Practices" as required by law. Please take time to familiarize yourself with it, via the online copy, before you come. This notice describes how I may use and disclose your protected health information in accordance with the law and the NASW Code of Ethics. Information disclosed within sessions is confidential and may not be revealed to anyone without written permission except where disclosure is permitted or required by law. Disclosure may be required in the following circumstances:

When there is suspicion or proof of child abuse or abuse to a dependent or elder adult.
When the patient communicates a threat of bodily injury to others or to the public.
When the patient is suicidal.
When disclosure is required pursuant to a legal proceeding.

b e f o r e y o u r i n i t i a l v i s i t

Fees for service will be discussed by telephone when your first appointment is made. Please be prepared to stay 60 minutes for the first session, which includes the initial consultation and intake. (Regular sessions are 45 minutes long. ) Upon arrival, if the door to my office is open, please feel free to enter. Otherwise, kindly have a seat in the waiting room and I will be with you shortly.

You can download and complete the Personal Information Form and the Signature Form before your first visit. You can also review our Privacy Policy.

i n i t i a l s e s s i o n

During the initial visit we will review the information that brought you to therapy. You will also be asked what your goals are for therapy and how you will know when those goals are met. It is okay if you don't know, we can clarify these together, but it is helpful to think about this ahead of time.

When applicable, I will prepare a simple Genogram (family tree) based on the information you are providing. This includes immediate family and extended family names, ages, occupations, ethnicity, religious affiliations, and brief medical and mental health histories. If you have information you think will be helpful, please feel free bring it with you at this time.

f r e q u e n c y of v i s i t s

Except in special circumstances, meeting weekly is the most effective and efficient frequency of visits initially. Therapist and client become familiar with one another as trust builds and a routine is established. Information from previous sessions flows into current sessions, allowing both client and therapist to make connections, deepen understanding, and make progress.

Less then weekly visits initially usually results in slower progress. Each session , spread apart as they are, ends up feeling like a "first session" as client and therapist must again become familiar with each other. Connections regarding the issue are harder to form. Revelations and ideas emerge more slowly.

Obviously there are exceptions. I am open to seeing people as often as needed and will make every effort to be as flexible as possible. Please feel free to discuss this with me during our initial conversations and throughout the course of therapy as needed.

d u r a t i o n of t h e r a p y

Many people want a clear idea on how long they will have to be in therapy. After about three sessions, I will give you an idea based on the goals you have identified and the issues you are presenting. Progress in treatment also depends upon other things such as motivation for change, frequency of visits, and amount of work done between sessions. Sometimes I may assign "homework" or encourage you to keep a journal. Writing in a journal is one of many tools for dealing with feelings. You can also use the journal to keep track of your goals and progress.

Ending therapy is an important learning experience. When you think you may be ready to stop, it is better to talk about this several weeks before you plan on ending. This allows ample time to review the work that you have done, to clarify new coping skills, and to define your future goals. It also allows time for me to provide helpful suggestions. The work has been mutual, as is the decision to end. Although many people feel uncomfortable or worried that the therapist will be upset or offended, I recognize that ending is a natural and vital part of the therapy process.

Serving Fairfield & Westchester Counties 203.552.5280