How can therapy help me?
Effective therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face. Benefits include:
- A better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
- Added skills to improve your relationships
- Resolution of issues that prompted you to seek therapy
- New ways to cope with stress and anxiety
- Consistent self management of anxiety, grief, depression, and other disruptive emotions
- Improved communication and listening skills
- Effective behavioral patterns that work for you
Why do people go to therapy and how do I know if it is right for me?
People have many different motivations for coming to psychotherapy. A major life transition such as divorce, a new job, or a reaching a different stage in life can produce stress overload, even when you're accustomed to handling your responsibilities well. People who are ready to make changes in response to life challenges often do well in therapy
What is therapy like?
Typically we meet first by phone at no charge to you. After the initial forms are completed and signed, we start meeting regularly, usually once per week at first. Because each person has their own concerns, we customize your goals for your unique situation. Goals are specific and measurable, and the approaches we use are evidence based. In general, you can expect to discuss current events in your life and your personal history relevant to your issue. We check in about any insights or changes you may have noticed since the previous therapy session. The duration of therapy can be longer term if needed but shorter term works well for some people, depending on the complexity of the situation their other resources and supports.
It's important to recognize that those who can participate actively and consistently tend to benefit the most. Participation can include activities between sessions to support your process, such as reading a pertinent article, journaling, noting particular behaviors or completing a worksheet. The ultimate purpose is to apply in your life the concepts that are presented in therapy.
Do you take insurance, and how does that work?
In network with:
- Aetna
- Anthem
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Maine
- Cigna
- Martin's Point
For those who prefer to self pay, the rate is $150 per visit for the initial assessment or a weekly appointment.
When using insurance, it's vitally important to understand for yourself how your benefits work, including any changes to your coverage. Please carefully review your coverage carefully, then contact your insurer. If anything is unclear, please require them to clarify. Helpful questions include:
- What are my mental health benefits?
- What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
- How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
- Is prior approval (also called pre-certification or pre-authorization or prior authorization) required from my primary care physician? Or from the insurance company?
Information sharing
Confidentiality is one of the most important factors with client and their psychotherapist. Effective therapy requires a high degree of trust with sensitive topics rarely discussed outside of our meetings. Included in the Notice of Privacy Practices are details of your privacy rights as a client. Except in limited situations, you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone unless there is written authorization or release of information signed by you. If you are using insurance for our visits, you will be expected to sign and date a release of information for the insurance company.
