Common Questions and Concerns
Below I answer questions that people considering therapy commonly ask. If you don't see an answer to your question here, feel free to contact me.
What is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist?
A licensed clinical psychologist is a doctoral-level healthcare provider who completed 5-7 years of graduate study including multiple clinical externships and a one year internship. State psychology boards license psychologists to practice. Most psychologists have the degree PsyD or PhD. PsyD programs typically focus more on training clinicians while PhD programs focus more on training researchers, but there is much overlap.
A psychologist does not – except in a few states – prescribe medications. You will have to see a psychiatrist, general practitioner, or nurse practitioner for that. I can help you find an appropriate provider.
How much will therapy cost?
I charge $175 per 50 minute therapy session.
I am an in-network provider for most Blue Cross or Blue Shield (BCBS) plans except those offered by Independence. For Independence Personal Choice PPO I am out-of-network. Keystone Health Plan East HMO provides no coverage for sessions with me. Depending on who insures you, your BCBS plan may have a number of different names including, but not limited to, Anthem, Empire, Highmark, Federal, Horizon, Premera, Regence or WellPoint.
I am an out-of-network provider for other insurance plans that offer out-of-network benefits, including but not limited to many plans offered by Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Penn Behavioral Health. Unlike most out-of-network therapists, I submit claims electronically to these companies, saving you the hassle of doing it yourself.
I see a limited number of clients at a reduced fee based on financial need.
Why see an out-of-network therapist?
There are several reasons. Many people feel that what therapist they see should be a personal choice based on the therapist’s expertise or experience helping people with particular issues. Others wish to choose on the basis of a friend’s or doctor’s recommendation, or a favorable impression gleaned from contact with the therapist. Oftentimes, the list of therapists who are in-network with a particular insurance may be restrictive and not allow you the freedom to find your best fit. Additionally, insurance companies typically exert less control over the course or duration of therapy conducted by an out-of-network therapist versus an in-network therapist. Finally, staying in-network if you or your employer changes insurance plans can mean switching therapists. Many people are willing to see an out-of-network therapist to avoid such a disruption.
How do I figure out how much my insurance will pay?
Getting answers to the following questions will help you predict how much your insurance will pay for sessions. The information can be found by reading your insurance website or brochure, or by calling member services:
Am I covered for out-of-network mental/behavioral health?
What is my deductible for out-of-network mental/behavioral health?
What percentage (often called co-insurance) am I required to pay after I meet my deductible?
Note that insurances pay a percentage of what they consider a “Reasonable & Customary fee” (R&C), which in many cases is my full fee but can be as little as 60% of my fee. Your insurance’s R&C amount can have a large effect on what therapy ends up costing you. Insurances don’t typically publish R&C amounts, but you can sometimes find out this way: tell them that a doctor you plan to see charges $150 for a 50-minute outpatient therapy session and they will tell you what dollar amount of that will be considered R&C.
How will I get reimbursed by my insurance?
I offer a service to my clients that many out-of-network therapists do not: I submit claims electronically to most insurance plans to save you the time and hassle of doing it yourself. In most cases I collect from you the deductible or coinsurance amount and bill the insurance for the remainder. Some insurances, such as Personal Choice PPO and Penn Behavioral Health, reimburse clients directly for claims I submit instead of paying me.
How do psychodynamic psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) differ?
Put briefly, psychodynamic psychotherapy believes that past experiences and the unconscious impact our current behaviors, thoughts and feelings. CBT is more focused in the here-and-now, for instance on patterns of thinking that can cause us to feel bad and stay stuck. Both types of therapy emphasize the importance of a strong therapist-patient relationship in order for therapy to be effective. I focus on present and past, thoughts, feelings and behaviors, and the unconscious to bring about lasting change.
Is therapy hard?
Aspects of therapy are challenging for most people. Change often doesn’t come easily and some of therapy’s tasks are difficult, such as facing upsetting memories, being honest with oneself about unpleasant thoughts or unsavory motivations, or being accountable for making challenging changes to behaviors. On the other hand, many people feel relief at having an opportunity to talk through their concerns with a supportive, knowledgeable therapist. As is the case with most of life’s experiences, therapy has its ups and downs. But a skilled, caring therapist will work to facilitate the difficult times and make them worthwhile.
Am I weak for going to therapy?
No. In fact it takes courage to acknowledge areas of struggle, seek out a therapist, and talk candidly about what troubles you. Effective therapy does not dwell exclusively on aspects of yourself that you feel bad about. It also celebrates and fortifies your strengths. And a major goal of therapy is to bring about real-world improvement in your quality of life and help you become better able to effectively handle life’s challenges.
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