Forms & FAQs

What is the difference between a Counselor and a Psychiatrist?

Many get confused about the difference between a counselor and a psychiatrist. The main difference is that a psychiatrist is a medical doctor trained in psychotropic medications. As such, they see your concerns through a medical model lens, which stipulates that concerns stem from a biological problem, and thus the solution is to administer medicine to correct the imbalance. In contrast, Counselors view you from a "strength based approach", where we collaborate with you to discover the resilience and strength you have, and leverage that to empower you to effectively address your challenges.

How do I make an appointment and what are your office hours?

Please contact me online to set up and appointment if this will work for you. I tend to view emails more frequently than I check my voicemail. Additionally, when I am not in the office I can check and respond more quickly. My office hours are set, but I have the capability to be flexible and will try to accommodate to the best of my abilities both of our schedules.

What do I do when I arrive at your office and what should I bring?

Upon arrival you will find my receptionist at the front desk. Please let her know you are there to see me and she will buzz my office. If she is not there due to scheduled breaks or a lunch hour, please have a seat in the lobby and I will be with you shortly. Please bring with you the New Patient Paperwork on your first visit.

What is your cancellation policy?

I require 24-hour notice for appointment cancellation or rescheduling. If less than 24-hour notice is given, or if you fail to attend a scheduled appointment, the full fee will be charged the day of the scheduled appointment to the credit card on file.

I am an out of network provider for all managed care companies. Why am I not in-network?

You must have a mental illness diagnosis for insurance companies to reimburse for therapy. Many clients, for obvious reasons, don't want a mental illness diagnosis in their health records. Most of my clients are not mentally ill, just unhappy and unfulfilled in their lives and relationships. A diagnosis is not needed when managed care is not involved. I treat problems not a diagnosis. Together we determine your length and focus of therapy.

A diagnosed mental illness can interfere with your life in ways you never imagined. It can create problems getting future health or life insurance or get in the way of being approved for security clearances, to name a couple. By not taking reimbursements from insurance companies, I am not forced to label my clients; I simply treat the problems they bring to me without a diagnosis.

Insurance companies require confidential, personal information about you, and put this in their databases, including diagnosis, treatment plans and progress updates. Therefore, my client's information would potentially be unprotected. This bothers me and ethically, I don't wish to share your information with anyone at any time. When I don't take money from insurance companies, your confidential information stays secure. I am the only one with access to it, unless and until you authorize someone else.

I hope this helps you understand why I'm not a member of many insurance panels. Here is your option regarding insurance payment, if you are still interested in pursuing it. Many plans have out-of-network benefits, and I will be happy to give you the form to submit for reimbursement. Keep in mind that I will still have to give you a mental disorder diagnosis, which will still be part of your permanent health record. You will pay me directly and will then be reimbursed by your insurance carrier according to the terms of your plan.

Please feel free to talk with me about any questions or concerns you may have regarding insurance.