People come into therapy for many reasons. Some need to respond to unexpected changes in their lives, while others seek self-exploration and personal growth. When coping skills are overwhelmed by guilt, doubt, anxiety, or despair, therapy can help. Therapy can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping for issues such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, relationship issues, unresolved childhood issues, bereavement, spiritual conflicts, stress management, body image issues, and creative blocks. People seeking psychotherapy are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives.
While it is always preferred to meet with a psychotherapist in person, "distance therapy," or therapy done through video conferencing on the Internet or over the telephone, is an option I offer. In my practice I work with a wide variety of clients through Skype from locations all around the country. Distance therapy cannot be used for diagnosis or the treatment of serious mental health concerns. While many people find distance therapy to be immensely helpful, it is not recommended if you are feeling suicidal or are in the middle of a serious crisis.
During sessions I ask you to talk about the primary concerns and issues in your life. I offer a short-term, caring, direct approach focused on the resolution of issues. A session usually lasts between 50 minutes and one hour, although sometimes I will schedule a longer session if needed. I normally meet with clients once a week, however some people like to meet two times a week, and others, after accomplishing most of their primary goals prefer to meet every other week. During the time between sessions, it is beneficial to think about and process what was discussed. I might ask you to engage in certain actions outside of the therapy sessions, such as: journaling, body awareness or reading a relevant book. For therapy to "work," you must be an active participant, both in and outside of the therapy sessions.
Therapy can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:
- Increased self-awareness and self-confidence
- Richer relationships
- Acquiring concrete skills to better manage: stress, depression and anxiety
- Improved communications skills
- More effective problem solving tools
- Clarity in how to resolve old patterns
Contemplative Psychotherapy rests in the promotion of awareness, specifically, the awareness of one's present feelings and behaviors, and the contact between one's self and his/her environment. It is an experiential therapy that trusts in a persons' ability to seek out the inherent wisdom that lies within, when given the opportunity. It also emphasizes personal responsibility and the power of the client-therapist relationship.
For the past 15 years I have worked with kids and adolescents in a variety of capacities. After completing my graduate work, I spent 5 years working in an esteemed juvenile justice organization in New York City with adolescents who had severe ADD/ADHD occurrences. Additionally, for the past 7 years I have taught parenting classes and worked individually with parents who are seeking additional help/reflection/information about ways to effectively, and compassionately work with special-needs children.
I am a provider for Aetna. I am also an "Out of Network" provider for most insurance companies. This means that when you receive a receipt for services from me, my receptionist will submit it to your insurance company for partial or total reimbursement. It would be helpful to check your insurance coverage carefully and find the answers to the following questions:
- Do I have mental health benefits?
- What is my deductible and has it been met?
- How many sessions per calendar year does my plan cover?
- How much does my plan cover for an out-of-network provider?
- What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
- Is approval required from my primary care physician?
In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and a psychotherapist. Information is not disclosed without written permission. However, there are number of exceptions to this rule. Exceptions include:
- If there is suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse, the therapist is required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
- If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person/s, the therapist must notify the police and inform the intended victim.