How do I know if what I'm experiencing is anxiety or OCD?

The spectrum of anxiety disorders encompasses many different symptoms and experiences. Whether you experience OCD, social anxiety, a specific phobia, panic attacks or generalized anxiety, anxiety disorders tend to have similar characteristics. Generally, anxiety functions as an "internal warning system" (think of it as your body's version of a fire alarm). For someone without clinical anxiety, this fire alarm is triggered at appropriate times (i.e. stress at work, going through a major life change, etc.). For someone who experiences clinical anxiety, it's as if the fire alarm is hypersensitive and therefore goes off when there isn't smoke or a fire. Our job in therapy is to retrain the alarm sensors to help your body correctly interpret stress signals.

How will I know if you are the right therapist for me?

Finding a therapist that you feel comfortable with is the most importance part of the therapeutic process. Studies consistently show that having a strong and positive relationship with your therapist is one of the most powerful interventions in creating client change. I always recommend that clients approach the process of finding a therapist like an "interview." I encourage you to think ahead about what qualities you are looking for in a therapist, what personality traits will help you feel most comfortable, and what questions you have for your provider. I would always rather a client find a therapist that they are comfortable with, even if that person isn't me, because that is a necessity in making real and lasting progress.

Do you see clients in an office, online or both?

At this point in time, I am only seeing clients virtually. I have found telehealth sessions to be highly advantageous. In fact, research conducted during the COVID pandemic has indicated that many evidence based therapies that are delivered virtually are just as effective at helping clients change when compared to therapies completed in an office.

Do you prescribe medication as part of your treatment?

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I am not qualified to prescribe medication. My goal is to work on the thoughts, perceptions and emotions that impact our behaviors. If I feel during the course of treatment that medication could be beneficial for you, I will discuss it with you at length and provide you with a referral if needed. You will never be required to take medication as part of our treatment process.

What does therapy cost?

The cost of individual therapy sessions (45 minutes) is $200. Sessions are conducted via a secure, HIPAA compliant telehealth platform.

Do you accept insurance?

I am not presently participating as an in network provider on any insurance panels. However, many individuals have out of network benefits, which means that your insurance company will reimburse you for a percentage of the cost of sessions. I recommend calling your insurance company to find out if out of network coverage is included in your plan. Clients are responsible for paying the full cost of sessions and then can submit for reimbursement from their insurance company independently.

What questions should I ask my insurance company?

I recommend that clients ask the following questions when speaking with their insurance companies:

• Do I have out of network mental health coverage?
• What is my deductible?
• What percentage will my plan pay after my deductible is satisfied?

Here is an example of how out of network coverage and reimbursement works. Pretend John has out of network coverage with a $1,000 deductible. Upon completion of the deductible, his insurance company pays for 80% of the cost of sessions. For therapy sessions that cost $200 each, John would be responsible for the entirety of the first five sessions (totalling the $1,000 deductible). Once that deductible is satisfied, John would be reimbursed $160 per session from his insurance company (meaning that he would only be responsible for $40 per session). John would be responsible for paying for each session in it's entirety upfront and then he would receive a reimbursement check from the insurance company at the end of each month.