Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why don’t you take insurance?
A: This is a great question and the answer is somewhat complex: At times, when involving insurance for direct billing, therapists are required to disclose detailed information about you and your counseling sessions and are required to provide a mental health diagnosis. Therapists are also required to seek approval for ongoing sessions by indicating medical necessity.
I would like the client to have the choice about whether or not they would like their insurance company involved for reimbursement.
Also, managed care companies often limit the number of sessions you may have, which I believe should be left between us and made as a therapeutic decision.
Q: Are sessions confidential?
A: In short, what is said in our session is confidential, protected by law, and information cannot be disclosed without written consent. The only exceptions are if there is suspected child abuse/neglect or if a client threatens serious harm to themselves or others, in which case every effort is made to ensure the safety of those affected as required by law.
Q: What if the client is under 18 years old?
A: Currently, I only see clients aged 15 years and older (unless the child is coming in with a family for family therapy). When a client is under 18 years old, a client’s parent would be asked to sign consent to treat their child and is encouraged to disclose any concerns to me as they arise. Though I am happy to hear of any issues or positive happenings in my client’s life from their parent, I am not able to disclose what is said in session to a client’s parent unless the client has given me permission to do so. The only exception to this is if I am concerned about the wellbeing of my client or if they are making threats toward other people. This can include, but is not limited to: a client engaging in self-harm, a client reporting thoughts or intentions to hurt themselves, and/or a client reporting the intention to hurt someone else. This is a delicate matter in which I want my client’s to feel comfortable talking with me freely while also ensuring the safety of my clients.
If you have any other questions please feel free to contact me.