Frequently Asked Questions

The office is located at:

Hours vary and are subject to change. Generally, there are day and evening hours available on:

• Monday
• Tuesday
• Friday
• Saturday

I accept Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois and Self-Pay.

For self-pay clients, I can provide you with a monthly superbill/receipt upon request. Patients often mail these to their insurance companies and get reimbursed the percentage of the hourly fee allowed for an out-of-network provider. Be advised, however, that seeking reimbursement for psychotherapy payment will strictly be between you and your insurance company and is not something that I facilitate. You will need to call your insurance company and ask if they reimburse any percentage for an “out of network” provider.

Payment options are check, cash and credit card. Copays are made after each session as well as full payment for clients who are self-pay.

Self-pay clients have no limitation on the number of sessions. There is no submission of diagnosis or treatment information shared with the insurance. The decision to be a self-pay client although you may have insurance is based on the personal preference and choice to not use the mental health coverage you have.

Initial Assessment 60-90 minutes $160
General Session 55 minutes $140

Additional session time can be added if requested at the time the appointment is made. Additional time is in 30-minute increments. Blue Cross and Blue Shield will only cover one 55-minute session per day. Any additional time requested by the client is their financial responsibility.

First, you will be given a copy of the HIPAA, federal guidelines for your confidentiality, and asked to sign a form that you were given information on the HIPAA. Additional paper work is explained and asked for you to complete.

Everything discussed with you during your therapy session is strictly confidential. The only time it can be breached is if I feel that you are a threat to yourself or others.

I will then ask you a series of questions to get to know you through your life, history and feelings and understand your needs. Most sessions usually last 55 minutes; however, the initial assessment can go up to 90 minutes, if needed. You are always free to ask questions. Be open and honest about yourself and your feelings will result in the best from therapy.

Seeking therapy is an individual choice. There are many reasons why people come to therapy. Sometimes it is to deal with long-standing psychological issues or problems with anxiety or depression. Other times it is in response to unexpected changes in one’s life, such as relationship conflict or dissatisfaction in your life.

Many seek the advice of counsel as they pursue their own personal growth. Working with a therapist can help provide insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges. Therapy can help address many types of issues including depression, anxiety, conflict, grief, stress management, and general life transitions. Therapy is right for anyone who is interested in making changes, wants to feel better, or have greater self-awareness.

I am unable to tell you if you need therapy; that decision is up to you. What I can tell you is what most people experience that encourages their decision to get involved in therapy.

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, some of which you may have successfully managed on your own. Other difficulties or challenges may be better understood or faced with extra support and guidance.

When someone chooses the avenue of therapy, they usually have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be respected. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you are in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy.

Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, change negative core beliefs, change damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.

There can be numerous benefits of participating in psychotherapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, and conflict resolution.

Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution.

The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. You will only get out what you put into the therapy process with your willingness and effort. Some of the benefits available from 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 healthy ones
• Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
• Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

Every therapy session is as unique as each client and their specific needs. It is standard for therapists to discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life during therapy sessions.

It is common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each session lasts around 55 minutes. Therapy can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth.

There may be times when you are asked to complete therapeutic exercises outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to track certain behaviors. For therapy to be most effective, you must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions. People seeking psychotherapy are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work toward self-change, and create greater awareness in their lives.

Here are some things you can expect out of therapy:

• Compassion, respect, understanding without judgement
• Encouragement and support to better understand persistent patterns, negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
• Strategies and tools to create positive change
• Effective techniques along with practical guidance

In some cases, a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. Working with your primary doctor or a psychiatrist, you can determine what’s best for you.

It is well-established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that prevent progress and relief. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness.

In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and psychotherapist. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client.

However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:

• Suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
• If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist is required to notify the police.
• If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.

A cancelled appointment delays our work. When you must cancel, please give me at least a 24-hour notice. I am rarely able to fill a cancelled session unless I know at least 24 hours in advance. If you are unable to provide at least a 24-hour notice when you cancel, you will be charged the full fee for your session.

Clients who are using insurance should be aware that the insurance will not reimburse for missed appointments. The only time I will waive the fee is in the event of serious or contagious illness or emergency.

If you are running late for your session, I encourage you to attend the remaining time you have. The session will not run over making up for the missed time.