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Frequently Asked Questions
Meetings
What are your hours?
I am in the office Thursdays 9-6 and and Fridays 9-5. Most employers are more than willing to let you take a long lunch or work a
bit longer to let you come to an appointment.
How often would we meet?
I like to see clients weekly in the beginning. Often,
then, sessions go to every other week. You and I can discuss a schedule
that’s acceptable to both of us.
Clients
Do you see children or teenagers?
No. See my referral list
for child / teen referrals.
Do you do couples counseling?
Yes!
Services
Do you do hypnosis?
I use hypnosis for relaxation and pain management.
Do you prescribe medication?
No. I often work with family doctors or psychiatrists
if medication is needed.
Do you do ADHD testing?
No. If you need testing, I’ll refer
you to a colleague.
Who will you make a referral to if you’re not in my
network?
See my referral list for
people I know and trust in Charleston.
Specialty / Experience
How much experience do you have?
I have a Ph.D and a license in clinical psychology.
I'm board certified in clinical psychology, and I
have been doing psychotherapy for 17 years. I am registered with the
National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology.
What is your specialty?
I love to work with people with anxiety and stress
related disorders.
What is your theoretical orientation?
I am a cognitive-behavioral therapist. This means that
I tend to provide brief, solution-focused therapy rather than emphasizing
childhood issues. Most people improve substantially with 8-12 visits. You
will often have homework assignments. Cognitive-behavioral therapy depends
to a great extent on the client – the more work you do, the more likely you
are to improve rapidly.
Does therapy really work?
Yes. The research shows that therapy really is
effective. You will learn some skills and techniques to cope with stress.
Having an objective person, who’s also an expert in human behavior, to
really listen often provides a fresh perspective.
Fees and insurance
How much are sessions?
See the paperwork for current fees.
How long are the sessions?
45-50 minute psychotherapy sessions
What if I can’t afford therapy?
There may be some options that will help with
payments. One is SC Vocational Rehabilitation, which helps people who are
having trouble on the job. You can reach them locally at 740-1600. Tell them you’re having trouble on
the job and that you want some counseling. They’ll bring you in for an
interview there. If therapy is appropriate, they’ll refer you to a private
psychologist for an evaluation. You may request me if you like.
If you're the victim of a crime that you reported to
the police, the
State Office
of Victim Assistance may help.
Will my insurance cover it?
Usually they cover part. The best thing to do is
to call, using the insurance
worksheet, and find out exactly what your benefits are. ALSO,
check the booklet that explains your benefits. Human Resources
professionals at your company are often helpful, too.
Specific insurance plans
Can I get receipts for my visits?
Yes. Within a few days after your first visit, all the
information will be in the computer. At that time, we can send you a
receipt that will include everything you need for filing with your
employer’s flexible spending account.
How does insurance work?
The deductible is the amount of money you must pay in
full before your insurance kicks in. It often, but not always, starts
January 1st (October 1 for Tricare). It is usually an individual deductible (e.g., each
person in the family has to pay the deductible before insurance benefits
kick in). It typically combines physical and mental health. For example,
if you have a $250 deductible and you’ve paid, out of pocket, $100 for your
annual exam, you’ll have $150 left. When you come see me, your insurance
won’t reimburse you for the first visit of $135. Then, at the time of your
second visit, you’ll have $15 remaining of your deductible to meet.
A copayment amount is what you’ll pay each visit.
Usually, copayment amounts don’t go toward your deductible.
Be careful if your insurance tells you they’ll pay a
percentage of each visit. They may not pay a percentage of the charges, but
instead a percentage of their contracted rate. Sometimes their contracted
rate is very, very low. So if your insurance decides that a visit is $70
and they say they’ll pay 80%, what they’ll pay is $56. Of my $120 fee,
then, you’ll owe $64.
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