So what is this therapy thing? Isn't it for crazy people?
Simply put, therapy is going to talk to someone who knows what he's talking about when it comes to making life better. We all have things that aren't working the way that we want them to in life, and conquering those challenges can be the reason that a lot of us wake up in the morning (or afternoon, or night, whatever). It's different, though, when these challenges become so hard that they turn into burdens that you just can't seem to shake and that could use the help of someone trained in dealing with these things who has letters after his name. Yes, I have the degrees and the letters after my name and all of that, but working with me is different. I'll get to that in a second.
As for the crazy part, nope. If someone is crazy, then he/she doesn't even recognize that there's a harder-than-normal problem or isn't ready or willing to face it. When people are at that stage, they're at their most vulnerable in terms of making choices that, at worst, they'll regret later, or at best staying with the same tough situation day after day. So, if you're reading this, then congrats, you're not crazy! Coming to therapy is a sign of strength and a major step in the right direction. Not of craziness.
As for the crazy part, nope. If someone is crazy, then he/she doesn't even recognize that there's a harder-than-normal problem or isn't ready or willing to face it. When people are at that stage, they're at their most vulnerable in terms of making choices that, at worst, they'll regret later, or at best staying with the same tough situation day after day. So, if you're reading this, then congrats, you're not crazy! Coming to therapy is a sign of strength and a major step in the right direction. Not of craziness.
Well, what makes you different from other therapists?
I like to laugh, a lot, and even though finding reasons to laugh may be hard right now, I'm sure that you like to laugh, too. I apparently also like to use commas a lot. Anyway, just because you're going through a rough time doesn't mean that working through it has to be a chore. Humor is extremely important, and the tougher the time, the more that laughing is important. Yes, we get things done, but we'll have fun doing it. After all, it's pretty hard to frown and laugh at the same time (though if you figure it out, then I'll be really impressed!), and if you're reading this, then things are tough enough, anyway.
Another central aspect of how I work with clients is to use a strengths-based approach. In other words, you are not a depressed person; you a person who is experiencing a tough time. You are not defined by a problem that you may have; you are defined by the strengths that you have to overcome that problem.
I'm also a very, very honest person, and I have no problem letting you know when things aren't going the way that they need to. I also have no problem letting you know that you're doing an awesome job. Therapy isn't about telling you that everything is okay and you don't need to change a thing, because that's just not true. You wouldn't be looking at this page if that were true. You don't want to go see someone who is just going to sugarcoat every word to make you feel good during a session and then you get slapped in the face with reality as soon as you step out of the door.
My therapeutic approach blends these ideas. You let me know what is going on in life, and what you'd like to change. Therapy itself is the conversations, realizations, laughter, and "Ah-ha!" moments that we will have as we get you from where you, or your relationship or family, are to where you want to be!
Another central aspect of how I work with clients is to use a strengths-based approach. In other words, you are not a depressed person; you a person who is experiencing a tough time. You are not defined by a problem that you may have; you are defined by the strengths that you have to overcome that problem.
I'm also a very, very honest person, and I have no problem letting you know when things aren't going the way that they need to. I also have no problem letting you know that you're doing an awesome job. Therapy isn't about telling you that everything is okay and you don't need to change a thing, because that's just not true. You wouldn't be looking at this page if that were true. You don't want to go see someone who is just going to sugarcoat every word to make you feel good during a session and then you get slapped in the face with reality as soon as you step out of the door.
My therapeutic approach blends these ideas. You let me know what is going on in life, and what you'd like to change. Therapy itself is the conversations, realizations, laughter, and "Ah-ha!" moments that we will have as we get you from where you, or your relationship or family, are to where you want to be!
So am I going to just be talking about bad things and end up crying the whole time?
First, if you have enough tears to cry for a whole hour-plus, then you need to call Guinness Book of World Records because that's incredible. And see a doctor because that can't be a good thing. And you probably want to drink some water.
Seriously though, sorting through emotions is part of it, yes. If you're down or in a tough spot, then sadness frequently comes with it, and sometimes that gets the waterworks going. However, that's not the focus of what we're here for. We're here to see what's not going right and then find a way to make it right. The vast majority of the time is exploring what's happening in a realistic way with a lot of laughs and a couple of bad puns (okay, a lot of bad puns) throughout.
Seriously though, sorting through emotions is part of it, yes. If you're down or in a tough spot, then sadness frequently comes with it, and sometimes that gets the waterworks going. However, that's not the focus of what we're here for. We're here to see what's not going right and then find a way to make it right. The vast majority of the time is exploring what's happening in a realistic way with a lot of laughs and a couple of bad puns (okay, a lot of bad puns) throughout.
Well if I do end up crying, then do I have to bring my own tissues?
No. That would be ridiculous. I have a ton here.
My days are packed, do you have evening hours?
Yes!
A very rare thing in my field is to find someone who has available appointments in the evenings. Well, I do Monday through Wednesday, all the way until 7:00 PM!
A lot of times people call and want to meet, but due to shift work or child care, daytime appointments can actually be easier. As I always say, if you're reading this, then things are tough enough. This process should be as easy as possible, so due to this demand I have expanded my hours to accommodate real life. You know, that thing that always seems to get in the way.
Monday 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
This does vary from week to week just depending on how full my schedule gets. You can always set up an appointment via this website, e-mail, or by calling (302) 464-0021.
A very rare thing in my field is to find someone who has available appointments in the evenings. Well, I do Monday through Wednesday, all the way until 7:00 PM!
A lot of times people call and want to meet, but due to shift work or child care, daytime appointments can actually be easier. As I always say, if you're reading this, then things are tough enough. This process should be as easy as possible, so due to this demand I have expanded my hours to accommodate real life. You know, that thing that always seems to get in the way.
Monday 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
This does vary from week to week just depending on how full my schedule gets. You can always set up an appointment via this website, e-mail, or by calling (302) 464-0021.
I might need some more flexibility. Do you use Skype or anything like that?
While working together in person is always the best way to work together, there can be times when you're out of town or your car refuses to cooperate but you still want to get in touch. We can use a telehealth service (free to you, nothing extra) if we need to.
How do I know that you're the right therapist for me?
Right now, you don't. Before you talk with someone, you never know if you're going to be a partnership made in heaven or a partnership made in that really hot place with that red guy and the pitchfork.
Because of this, I not only offer but encourage a free phone or e-mail consultation prior to meeting for the first time. To me, there's a lot involved in talking about personal things, and I want to make sure that we're a good match before we set up a time to meet. It also helps me know what's going on to see how we can hit the ground running when we do start working together.
Of course, I'm not saying to trust me, I'm just asking you to try me. After all, it's free, and who doesn't like free stuff?
Because of this, I not only offer but encourage a free phone or e-mail consultation prior to meeting for the first time. To me, there's a lot involved in talking about personal things, and I want to make sure that we're a good match before we set up a time to meet. It also helps me know what's going on to see how we can hit the ground running when we do start working together.
Of course, I'm not saying to trust me, I'm just asking you to try me. After all, it's free, and who doesn't like free stuff?
So, how much is this going to cost me?
Well, usually when someone sees a therapist, it's for a 50-minute billable hour. Everyone in this field wants to make sure that each of their clients gets the time for which they scheduled, so the start and end times can be pretty rigid. Some even charge for e-mails or phone calls.
I'm not like that. I work with people, not customer account numbers. I bill for that 50-minute hour, yes, but good luck if you think that's all that you get. I'm not going to cut you off because we've hit a certain time; it's almost always a full 60 minutes (which is like 20% bonus if I wanted to pretend to be Macy's or something). We work together on our schedules, not just based on where the hands are on the clock. I do my best to keep us on schedule just so we can make sure that we don't run too far behind. I also don't charge for phone calls, e-mails, or texts. If I wanted to nickel and dime people, then I'd start an airline (sorry, no peanuts at this time!).
For 2023, the fee will be $135 per session and that includes our scheduled time, phone calls, e-mails, texts, and most other things that come up. When you break it down, you're paying a lot less to make your life a lot easier, and that's probably the reason that you're looking for someone in the first place.
I'm not like that. I work with people, not customer account numbers. I bill for that 50-minute hour, yes, but good luck if you think that's all that you get. I'm not going to cut you off because we've hit a certain time; it's almost always a full 60 minutes (which is like 20% bonus if I wanted to pretend to be Macy's or something). We work together on our schedules, not just based on where the hands are on the clock. I do my best to keep us on schedule just so we can make sure that we don't run too far behind. I also don't charge for phone calls, e-mails, or texts. If I wanted to nickel and dime people, then I'd start an airline (sorry, no peanuts at this time!).
For 2023, the fee will be $135 per session and that includes our scheduled time, phone calls, e-mails, texts, and most other things that come up. When you break it down, you're paying a lot less to make your life a lot easier, and that's probably the reason that you're looking for someone in the first place.
What about insurance?
As of October 28, 2015, I now accept Blue Cross Blue Shield. I'll admit, I'm not a huge fan of the insurance game, but I did want to try to expand my availability to those whose budgets are a little tight right now. We've all been there, myself included. I would be considered a "Specialist", so we would use that co-pay amount. Except for the times that I'm considered a regular office visit. Because insurance is super-simple, right?
A very important thing to do is call your insurer, even if they are Blue Cross Blue Shield, to see if they cover behavioral/mental health. Sometimes they will outsource that to another company, and I don't want to get in the way.
For those in other insurance plans: I can still give you a "receipt" at the end for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. It has all of my license and health provider information along with those codes that make no sense for anyone who's not working in Accounts Receivable for an insurance company. The reimbursement rate can be between 40% to 100% depending on your plan. Please check with them FIRST so that there is no mix up.
A very important thing to do is call your insurer, even if they are Blue Cross Blue Shield, to see if they cover behavioral/mental health. Sometimes they will outsource that to another company, and I don't want to get in the way.
For those in other insurance plans: I can still give you a "receipt" at the end for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. It has all of my license and health provider information along with those codes that make no sense for anyone who's not working in Accounts Receivable for an insurance company. The reimbursement rate can be between 40% to 100% depending on your plan. Please check with them FIRST so that there is no mix up.
What payment methods do you accept?
Currently I accept cash, personal check, credit cards (including HSA/FSA cards).
Running kind of long here, Jason. Is this the last question?
Sorry about that, yes it is.
Sorry about that, yes it is.