Questions about how I work:
What should I expect when I first call you?
First, congratulations on taking that first step! It can be challenging even to make the first phone call to seek help. When we first speak, I will ask you for a brief description of what you are experiencing, your availability/preferences for sessions, and will provide you with some basic information about my practice. If we both feel comfortable continuing toward scheduling, I will then provide a 15-20 minute consultation in which I will gather some more information from you and give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. After this, I will give you my recommendations for proceeding, which may include scheduling an intake session, offering referrals if necessary, etc. You will then make the decision as to where to go from there. If you decide to schedule an intake appointment, I will email you a secure link to my client portal where you will complete several forms prior to our first meeting.
What happens in the intake session?
We will meet in my office at a mutually convenient time, for a 90-120 minute session in which we will discuss more in-depth what has brought you to therapy at this time. I will be asking you for quite a bit of information, including the current problem, your history/family history, and other domains in order to fully understand your situation and your needs. It is sort of like a “getting to know you” session. Because I will need to obtain a lot of information from you in a relatively short period of time, there will not be as much time for in-depth discussion as there will be in subsequent sessions. By the end of the intake appointment, we will be able to plan for how we will work together to get you feeling better.
What happens in therapy sessions?
This is largely dependent on you and your preferences. I work from a client-centered perspective, which means that I tailor your sessions to your needs. In general, sessions are 50 minutes long and take place weekly. My work is informed by several theoretical frameworks, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), and supportive therapy. I may use a mix of interventions from these theories depending on your needs/preferences. CBT and IPT in particular are evidence-based treatments for prenatal and postpartum mood and anxiety disorders.
Can I bring my baby to sessions?
I want to do everything in my power to help you get to your sessions. Additionally, it can be quite beneficial to your treatment to bring your baby with you so that I can see how you interact with him/her. So, my policy is that you are welcome to bring your baby to session up to the age of one year. We will deal as best we can with any distractions this might cause, however if you decide that the distraction is too much, we will discuss alternative options.
Financial Questions:
Do you accept insurance?
At this time, I am in-network with Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna Behavioral Health and United Health Care/Optum/UMR. I do not accept any other insurance as a form of payment at this time, and my services are provided “out-of-network.” Please note that I am not a Medicaid or Medicare provider even within the plans listed above. I understand that paying out of pocket can seem like a burden, however I encourage you to view it as an investment in your mental health/wellbeing as well as that of your family. I will also provide you with a superbill which you can submit to your insurance carrier in order to obtain out of network benefits. Please know that I will work with you to the best of my ability to make therapy financially feasible for you (see below).
What questions should I ask my insurance carrier?
Here are some questions you might want to ask of your insurance carrier if you plan to submit an out of network claim:
- Do I have mental health benefits?
- Do I have out of network mental health benefits?
- Is there a deductible for out of network benefits, and if so, how much is it?
- How much can I expect to be reimbursed by my plan for services by an out of network provider? Are there limits to how many sessions will be reimbursed in a calendar year?
- If applicable, does my plan cover telemental health (online video-conference therapy) on an out of network basis?
What are your fees?
My fees are as follows:
- First contact telephone consultation (15-20 min): free!
- Intake session (90-120 min): $175
- In-office therapy sessions (60min): $130
- Online therapy sessions (60min): $130
Do you offer a sliding scale?
On a case by case basis, I do offer a limited sliding scale. I am also a member of the Open Path Collective. Please see http://www.openpathcollective.org for more information.
What is Postpartum Depression?
While I will go more in depth in answering this question on my “Postpartum Depression” page, in general, this term is used to describe what really is a number of different conditions and symptoms, which can include depressed mood, anger, detachment from or over-attachment to baby, anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, panic disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and others. Postpartum Psychosis, while the most reported on by the media, is often wrongly conflated with postpartum depression. While it is related, PP usually, though not always, develops very soon (within days) after birth and is a medical emergency, while PPD in all of its forms can develop weeks, or even months after giving birth. Most professionals who specialize in this area will diagnose PPD up until one year after the birth.
Do you see clients who are not experiencing a prenatal or postpartum mood/anxiety disorder?
While perinatal mental health is my specialty, I will also see clients who are seeking assistance and support for depression, anxiety, life transitions, and other issues. I also offer support to new fathers whose partners may be experiencing PPD or who may be experiencing it themselves.