Common Questions about Psychology Services
What is the cost?
I have a range of fees depending on your life situation, income and service needed. My fee is $165 for 50 minutes of individual psychoanalytic therapy and about $55 per meeting of group psychotherapy. I also offer some slots for those who genuinely can’t afford to come but are ready and need to do this kind of work. During this current crisis, I welcome people on the front lines to engage in a kind of group or individual therapy with me over encrypted Zoom.
Is therapy worth the cost?
I think so. Consider the psychological growth, emotional freedom and re-connection with one’s values that can occur in psychotherapy and psychoanalysis; these things can be sometimes worth more than what you may be currently spending a lot of money on but still not enjoying.
What services do you offer?
I see many individuals regularly in psychodynamic therapy. This is a type of therapy that examines the underlying causes of one’s current problems, inhibitions, etc.
For people who are ready to go deeper than weekly psychotherapy, I offer psychoanalysis–which is highly useful for therapists themselves– which involves laying on a couch, talking about your deepest thoughts, feelings, dreams and learning about your own mind together with a psychoanalyst in training like myself.
There is a freedom that often comes for the patient when he or she doesn’t have to look at the psychoanalyst when sharing feelings, etc. Psychoanalysis has been refined and sharpened for more than 100 years and in 2013 it is as good as it has ever been for promoting long-term growth, healing, freedom and new vitality in work and love. Here is some more info about psychoanalysis: http://www.apsa.org/About_Psychoanalysis/Why_Psychoanalysis_.aspx
I am also a certified group psychotherapist and have seen many lives change for the better as part of a therapeutic group. Research has shown group therapy to be as effective as individual therapy for a variety of human problems (http://www.agpa.org/efficacy-brochure.htm).
Please give me a call if you are interested in learning more about yourself in therapy, psychoanalysis or group psychotherapy
What about privacy and confidentiality?
I hold client privacy and confidentiality as one of the essential ingredients to any successful therapy and therefore critical for each and every client I see. Sound therapy is built on privacy and confidentiality.
There are some exceptions to this rule of confidentiality including 1) when a client is an imminent threat to him or herself or someone else; 2) knowledge of the abuse or neglect of a child, dependent adult or elderly person; 3) client treatment records are requested by court order; 4) legal proceeding (e.g. divorce, other lawsuits including worker’s compensation, etc).
Can I use my insurance for psychotherapy?
Yes, you can. I am a provider for a couple insurance companies. Also, for the majority of other companies you can pay directly and get reimbursed between 60-100%. I can provide you with the record of our meetings for you to get reimbursement.
Please note, however, that insurance companies require some information about our work together like a diagnosis and dates of services, procedures performed, etc. I have yet to see them ask for more information but they can and that would be an intrusion into our work.
The highest level of confidentiality is to pay for services directly without using the help of a 3rd party like your insurance (e.g. “fee for service” or “self-pay”).
Note: Also, please keep in mind that you might have to meet a deductible before only paying a co-pay. This deductible usually resets in January and when that happens you will be responsible for the “contracted rate” which can be between $90-$120 per session (still a discount from my hourly fee).
Do you have a specific niche in your practice?
Yes, I offer psychoanalysis, psychoanalytic psychotherapy and group psychotherapy.
Is psychoanalysis a real thing in today’s society?
You bet. Real and thriving. Psychoanalysis is alive and well and helping many people across the United States (http://www.apsa.org/), around the world (http://www.ipa.org.uk/) and in Dallas, Texas (http://www.dalpsa.org/). I have been in training to become a psychoanalyst since 2011. With the help of psychoanalysis, people world-wide are learning about themselves in new and useful ways for freer and more fulfilling lives.
There is also an organization that I am a part of that explores theology, relationships and psychoanalysis (https://www.septt.org/)
Psychoanalysis is useful for many people–including therapists, people of faith, clergy– and can help people work through problems often not accessible in other types of therapy.
Will my psychologist think I’m weird, crazy or sick?
To the contrary, anyone who enters psychotherapy has courage and is worthy of respect because they are doing something about their problems. Facing and confronting your problems, rather than avoiding them or suffering in silence makes you a brave, smart and more self aware person.
Will I be sent off to a mental hospital against my will?
No, this does not happen to most people. There are very few instances that would dictate hospitalization, namely, only when safety issues are an emergency. Out of the general population, only a very small percentage ever need to be hospitalized for psychological reasons and even fewer are taken against their will. (Again, these few have to threaten imminently to harm themselves or someone else.)
Will I fall apart if I talk about upsetting thoughts and feelings?
For the vast majority of people, the answer is no, at least not in terms of a “nervous breakdown” or crying uncontrollably. In fact, I have never had a client “lose control” because of sharing deeply about their lives. It is likely that you will cry or feel anxious or upset at times and learning the sources of those intense feelings can be useful.
Can’t I just read a book, attend a 12 step group, etc. and get the help I need?
Yes. In terms of 12 step, I have found that people with addictions have the best outcome when participating in 12 step (or similar recovery programs) while at the same time going to psychodynamic psychotherapy.
I value reading so please try “The Mayo Clinic Guide To Stress Free Living”, this book is an excellent resource. From my experience, most of my clients have tried several avenues to deal with their problem by the time they come in for psychotherapy. In psychotherapy, problems and the application of solutions to those problems can be discussed in detail and depth.
Can’t I just put my problems behind me, move on and hope for the best next time?
Of course. You can certainly try that but it often doesn’t work if we are honest with ourselves. And in fact, the more we deal with life in that manner the more difficult it can become to move on after each successive disappointment, frustration, or conflict. Each issue or situation that isn’t resolved accumulates with other unresolved issues.
When too many issues accumulate, the overflow comes out in the form of symptoms like stress, anxiety, depression, irritability, lack of focus, stomach upset, headaches, muscle tightness, and the like. It is akin to a container that becomes too full and spills over if not monitored.