FAQs
Q: Can I use my insurance?
A: I am currently on Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPO and Federal plans, and Aetna PPO/POS/HMO plans. If you wish to use Out of Network benefits, I may be able to submit your claims and/or I can give you a superbill to submit for reimbursement.
Please be aware that when you use insurance, you are given a diagnosis which may impact future health/life/etc insurance coverage. Some insurers request phone consultations or written records to ensure appropriate care is being given. If you do not want me to supply that information, they may decline coverage or request reimbursement for past coverage, which you will be responsible to cover. Please see the HIPAA form [link] for more details about protecting your records.
Q: How much do you charge?
A: My fee is $145/for a standard 45 minute individual session and $185 for an hour session. Initial appointments are $165, and other therapy appointments are prorated; please feel free to ask for more detail or for other services.
Q: Will you consider a lower fee or sliding scale?
A: There are some times I am able to accept a lower fee. Please discuss this with me before we meet if you have a strong financial need.
Q: Can you prescribe medication?
A: I do not have a license to prescribe medication. I can, however, consult with your primary physician or psychiatrist or refer you to a psychiatrist.
Q: What is the difference between Cognitive Therapy and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy?
A: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (or CBT) is actually very similar to Cognitive Therapy (or CT). CBT may have a broader range of interventions at the behavioral level in addition to the cognition, or thought, level. Look back to this image and description. [link]
Q: I really want to do strict CT or CBT, and you seem to emphasize being integrative. What if I just want to do CBT? Or – I have done CT before and it felt too structured for me. Do you only work with CBT?
A: Treatment decisions are part of a collaborative process, based on issues, diagnosis, personality style, and personal preferences. Working from a more stringent protocol or from a different perspective are both options; consulting in person would be helpful to discuss this further in your personal situation.
Q: Do you see couples?
A: No, but if you are in need of couples therapy, I would be happy to help you with some referrals.
Q: Do you see children?
A: I only see clients who are 18 and older. Please ask if you need a referral.
Q: How long does therapy take to work?
A: This question has a highly variable answer, and is best discussed in person. However, research shows that for people with uncomplicated depression or anxiety diagnoses, relief is usually found within 12-20 sessions.
Q: I can’t make weekly appointments regularly. Can we meet once or twice a month?
A: For progress to be made, psychotherapy requires regular appointments. Just starting out, meeting weekly can help build some momentum. Sometimes every other week or less frequently can be appropriate, although certainly it may take more time to see the progress you want. We can discuss your personal situation and goals.
Feel free to talk to me about your personal difficulties in committing to weekly treatment, and we can consider how to make therapy helpful for you.
Q: May I link to you on a social network?
A: Please do not be offended that I do not accept clients as personal connections. For various ethical boundary and privacy reasons, I have a blanket policy of never “friending” any current or former clients on personal or professional social internet or media networks.
If you wish to follow my professional Facebook Page, it is https://www.facebook.com/hopperpsychology/
Q: Will you do psychotherapy over the phone/skype/hangouts/etc?
A: I will do brief (~ 10 minutes) phone check ins at no charge. I can do occasional telephone sessions over the phone, but insurance does not reimburse for this service, so you will be responsible for the full amount of the session
Over the internet, I will provide video-based psychotherapy only through the HIPAA compliant platform I use. Insurance will also pay for this as face-to-face psychotherapy. Please see the Telehealth Policies/Consent form [link] for more details.
Q: Will you use email to communicate?
A: I use an encrypted platform for email communication. If you agree to the policy in my informed consent [link], I will send you an encrypted message so that we can communicate via email; emails you send as a reply to mine will also be encrypted back to me. You will need to set up your own password to open emails from me. If you lose this password, you will lose access to back emails and any new emails until you set up a new password.
Q: Will you text?
A: My phone service offers encrypted texting if you download their app. Please feel free to ask for more information.