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Frequently Asked Questions
You'll find the answers to many common questions about starting therapy below. If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to call me at 720-295-8781.
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What are your business hours?I schedule clients between the hours of 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday through Thursday.
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What can I expect at the first session?During the first session, I will answer any questions you have about treatment . We will then talk about what brings you to counseling and I will ask for additional information to attain history on your life to better understand your concerns. Please don't worry about what you need to say, as you will be able to say as little or as much as you want. It is my job to facilitate the conversation according to each client’s needs. I will help to clarify possible goals for counseling, ensure the right therapist fit, and your desires for future sessions.
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What insurance do you accept?United, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Kaiser, Cigna, Optum, Oscar, and Sondermind Provider Network. I am not credentialed with Medicare and Medicaid, and I am not allowed to bill you as an out-of-network provider. Please contact your insurance program if you have any questions about your plans rules and coverage.
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How long will I be in therapy?Length of time for therapy depends on individual situations and goals; however, many clients can expect to achieve some benefit within five to 10 sessions. If you do not feel any benefit from therapy after 10 sessions, it is important to consider alternatives, such as seeking out another therapist, changing or adding treatments--e.g., medication, acupuncture, spiritual practice, another therapy approach. I encourage all of my clients to talk to me when they feel we are not achieving their goals or if they have any requests to change the focus of our sessions.
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How often will we meet?Most clients will benefit from meeting weekly to attain more rapid progress, yet some individuals will prefer to meet every two or three weeks. Generally, I do need to meet at least monthly, because if too much time passes in-between sessions, it is difficult to keep continuity between each visit. Some therapies, like EMDR, are generally most effective if completed one to two times a week to increase the chance for the most rapid progress.
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How does telehealth differ from in-person therapy?Well, for one you can see me from the comfort of your home! Clients tell me they enjoy not having to travel to our appointments. You do need a strong internet connection to have a good video experience (150 MBPS or more), and ideally you will enjoy meeting with me more if you use a computer or tablet to see me versus a smartphone. I cannot gather as much information about you while on video, so for instance I often only see clients from the chest up, and you could be fidgeting your feet or hands and I would not necessarily see this behavior. Telehealth is not appropriate for all clients, as some people would benefit most from in-person interventions, such as people with serious, untreated addiction and mental health conditions. I evaluate all of my clients for appropriateness for telehealth and will provide referrals when needed.
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Can we meet for teletherapy when I am traveling for leisure or work?Great question! Due to current laws in Colorado, and because I am currently licensed in this state, I am only able to see clients who are in Colorado at the time of our appointment. There have been efforts at improving access when clients are out of state, (see https://counselingcompact.org). I am currently licensed in Colorado as a Licensed Addiction Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor.
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What are your fees?As of January, 2023, an initial intake and 50 minute session without insurance will be $150. If subpoenaed for court, I charge $250/hour to the attorneys to prepare to testify and time spent in court. In some situations I might be able to complete paperwork requests, and my fee is $75 per hour and can be prorated per 15 minutes. Late cancellation with less than 24-hour notice and no show fee is $70. Please contact me with any questions.
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What should I know about using insurance for therapy?When you use insurance to cover the cost of services, a therapist must provide you a diagnosis in order to justify enrolling you in counseling. A therapist may also have to report to your insurance company your progress and why treatment continues to be "medically necessary." Additionally, having a mental health disorder diagnosis on your health records could potentially make it more difficult or expensive to get health insurance in the future and could impact security clearances or attaining certain jobs. It can also negatively impact child custody cases. If you have a pending legal case, you may want to consult with your attorney before starting treatment. I encourage all clients to, when possible, call their insurance company to understand their coverage before starting any treatment. If I'm out-of-network with your insurance, I can provide a superbill to submit for reimbursement of some fees from your insurance company.
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What is the best way to communicate with you?The most secure way to communicate with me is by calling my confidential line at 720-295-8781 or using my encrypted secure message systems. You can text me at my main phone number but please keep these messages limited to basic information around appointment times or if you are running late for a visit. If you are in crisis, please contact the local crisis line at 1-844-493-8255, go to your local hospital or crisis walk-in clinic, or go to www.coloradocrisisservices.org.
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Is therapy confidential?What you share in counseling is generally considered private and is protected health information. There are some limits of confidentiality, however, such as imminent safety concerns about yourself or others or suspected child and elder abuse or neglect. Before you have your first session with me, you will receive documents which outline the specifics on confidentiality and you will have the opportunity to ask any questions about this. You can sign releases of information for me to be able to speak with or share your records with others.
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What should I do for emergencies and crisis?Please note that I do not review client appointment requests on a daily basis nor am I available 24/7 for support or consultations. If you are currently in crisis and feel unsafe, please call Colorado's Crisis Hotline at 1-844-493-8255, text TALK to 38255, or 911. For additional information, please go to www.coloradocrisisservices.org. Additionally, there is a new nationally available number, 988, to call for people to connect with a counselor for sucidide prevention and mental health crises. You can also reach out to me and I can see if I can find a sooner appointment for you once you are a client.
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What is the Good Faith Estimate?As of January 1st, 2022, under Section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act, health care providers and health care facilities are required to inform individuals who are not enrolled in a plan or coverage or a Federal health care program, or not seeking to file a claim with their plan or coverage both orally and in writing of their ability, upon request or at the time of scheduling health care items and services, to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” of expected charges. You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give clients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees. Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least one business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your healthcare provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
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