Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I talk to you before scheduling an appointment to see if I feel comfortable?

Yes, I offer a free initial consultation of 15 minutes or so, either by phone or in person.

Do you accept insurance?

Yes, I'm a preferred provider for many insurance companies and EAP's. Let me know which one you have and I'll tell you if I'm contracted with them. If I'm not, I'll be happy to sign up to become a preferred provider.

Do you accept Medicaid?

No, sorry.

I don't have benefits. Will you allow me to create a payment plan so that I can afford counseling?

Yes, I would not want anyone to forgo counseling because of financial stress. I am very flexible as long as regular payments are made.

Can I bring children to my session?

Possibly. I make that decision on a case by case basis. Talk to me about your needs and I'll try to work something out. I always allow nursing babies to accompany mothers.

I need someone to testify in court about my case, or be an expert witness. Do you do that?

No sorry. There are therapists who specialize in just that and I'd advise you to use one of them.

I want to start couple counseling, but my spouse/partner will not go? Should I make an appointment anyway?

Yes, absolutely. Often a spouse will eventually join in. If they won't, one person can change the balance of the relationship by coming to counseling alone.

I want my child to start counseling, but they refuse to go. What do I do?

I would look at it the same as if your child was ill and needed medical care and didn't want to go. Sometimes parents must insist that the child do something they don't want to do. I've often had adolescent clients who are very resistant in the first session but they generally open up quickly and begin to enjoy counseling.

Do you do Christian based counseling?

Yes, I'm a Christian myself and I enjoy working with Christian clients. I don't push my beliefs on clients with other religious beliefs however, and I'm comfortable counseling clients within a variety of belief systems.

Do you give homework?

Yes, frequently. I tend to be very goal oriented and much of the work of counseling is done between sessions.

Do you do drug/alcohol counseling?

Sometimes if it's secondary to another problem and the problem is fairly minor (i.e. a non life threatening alcohol issue, marijuana use). I don't specialize in severe problems like meth use. I refer people with those issues to therapists who specialize in drug/alcohol counseling.

How long is a session?

Generally 50 minutes, with a little leeway to go as long as 60 if needed.

Do you charge for talking on the phone?

After the free initial consultation I do. Some people elect to do sessions by phone if they are traveling or unable to drive to an appointment. I charge the same as for an in person session. I do offer no charge for brief emailing between sessions though. I generally respond to all emails the same day and that is the best way to contact me.

I left you a message and you didn't call me back.

I have had a number of people leave me messages but forget to leave their contact information! Then I have no way to return calls. I've also had people speak so quickly that I couldn't understand the number. I've returned calls to numbers which were no longer in service. If I have a viable number or email address I always respond.