How do I know if therapy is necessary?

In general, any time a person's behaviors, beliefs, and emotions are getting in the way of their quality of life or that of those around them, therapy can help. If you're not sure, consider trying The Six-Pack, a set of six private workshops that can be scheduled at your convenience. These are not therapy, but do offer you and your loved ones a chance to brush up on the basics. For more information on The Six Pack, click here.

What is a marriage and family therapist?

Marriage and family therapists (MFTs) are mental health professionals who are trained in psychotherapy and family systems, and who are licensed to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders within the context of couple and family systems. To become licensed to practice, MFTs must have a minimum of a master's degree in the field. In addition, they must successfully complete a minimum number of clinical practice hours under supervision and pass a national licensing exam.

How long will therapy last?

Together, you and your therapist should identify specific measures by which to monitor your progress. For example, if you are working on being more sociable as a way of combating loneliness and isolation, then one sign of progress might be that you will engage in one weekly social activity for four weeks in a row. Once you've attained that goal, you will know that you are making tangible progress. You and your therapist may want to identify several ways by which to monitor your progress so you can determine when to terminate services. Research shows that most people begin to experience tangible progress at about the 10-session mark.

What should I look for in a therapist?

You will have the opportunity to evaluate the goodness of fit from your very first phone call and intake appointment. Good therapists make themselves available to their clients. They will listen attentively as you explain what's going on. They will take steps to explain how they work so you know what to expect. Good clinical practice invites clients to collaborate in setting treatment goals. Finally, good clinical practice offers clients many clear and tangible ways to measure progress.

Following are questions to ask during the initial phone call and intake appointment to see if a therapist is right for you. Make sure you find someone who puts you at ease so you can be yourself. Don't forget, therapy is voluntary!

How do you measure progress in treatment?
What does a typical treatment plan include?
Do your clients have any say in the treatment plan?
What kinds of skills am I likely to learn in therapy?
Do you typically assign homework and what would be a typical homework assignment?
How do you decide who needs to attend therapy sessions?
What happens if only one person shows up for a session and the other members of the group do not? Does the session get rescheduled? (It should in most cases).

Do you take insurance?

I do not take insurance for the following reasons:

Insurance companies require detailed information that, in my opinion, should remain private.
Insurance companies dictate the duration and nature of treatment even though they are not the treating provider.
Insurance companies only reimburse for services that address problems due to a psychiatric diagnosis. This requires that I identify one member in your couple or family as having a psychiatric disorder. This process undermines the value of collaborative care. Moreover, once the psychiatric label becomes a permanent part of the medical record, that information, once disclosed, can hamper applications for employment, life insurance, disability claims, etc. Given that most of my work is relational, I find that these requirements undermine the work that I do.

If you have health insurance and cannot afford the cost of therapy, please inquire about the sliding scale rate or the pro bono services. For more information on these options, click here.

Do you prescribe medication?

While some people do call me "Doctor," this is because I have PhD, not a medical degree. I am not a medical doctor, and therefore do not prescribe medication.

I will make referrals if I ever have concerns about your physical or psychiatric health. I hope you will let me know if you ever have health concerns.

Do you do psychiatric evaluations?

I am not a psychiatrist and therefore do not do psychiatric evaluations. However, I can make a referral if necessary.

Do you do custody evaluations?

Because I typically work with only one parent while they are going through divorce proceedings, I am unable to provide custody evaluations. If necessary, I can make a referral for a professional custody evaluator, who will meet with all parties involved.

What about late shows, no-shows, and cancellations?

Life happens. This is why your circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Late arrivals. In general, clients who are late are given a 10-minute grace period during which they can arrive and still finish out the session. The fee for the session will still be the same as if you had arrived on time.

No shows. Sessions delayed beyond the 10-minute grace period will be considered a no-show and cancelled.

All clients will have one "free pass" for a no-show. Any no-shows that occur beyond that free pass will incur the full fee. If three no-shows occur in a row without contact or explanation, a letter will be sent indicating that the case will be closed unless the client expresses a desire to resume care before the closeout date.

Cancellations. There is a 48-hours' notice policy in place if you need to reschedule an appointment. This means that if you do not provide 48 hours' notice, you will be charged the full fee.

Frequently Asked Questions