FAQ | cynthiahaastherapy

What should I expect in our first session?

We will meet for 50 minutes. The first session is usually different from later sessions. I will inquire about what brings you to therapy, what you are looking for, what has been troubling you, and about how you have been dealing with your difficulties. We will use the time in our session to get to know one another, decide if we are a good fit and how to proceed.

What can I expect in a therapy session?

Each person experiences therapy in a unique way. During our sessions you will have the space to talk about your concerns, thoughts, and feelings. As we explore these together, we may discover certain patterns and themes that arise. This will help us better understand the nature of the problems you are experiencing. I will encourage you to practice self-reflection, understand how you relate to others, and learn how to implement effective coping strategies. Weekly sessions are usually most helpful. Depending on your needs, I also offer sessions more than once per week.

How do you feel about medication?

I am a clinical social worker (not a psychiatrist) so I do not prescribe medication. I work both with clients who are on medications and those who are not. Therapy can be effective in managing symptoms, however there are times when medication is necessary to alleviate distress. If we agree that you may benefit from medication, I will provide a referral to a psychiatrist. If you are currently working with a psychiatrist, I am happy to collaborate with him/her to facilitate your care.

Is therapy completely confidential?

Information that you share with me will be handled with great care. It is your legal right and my responsibility to make certain that our sessions are kept confidential. In most instances, I will need your written permission before I can disclose any information regarding our work together; however, there are exceptions to confidentiality:

If I believe that a child, an elderly person, or a dependent adult is being abused or neglected, I am legally required to take the necessary steps to protect others from harm and I must file a report with the appropriate state agency.
If a client threatens to harm him/herself, I may be required to seek hospitalization for the client, or to contact family members or others who can provide protection.
If I believe that a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another, I am required to take protective actions, which may include notifying the potential victim, notifying the police, or seeking appropriate hospitalization for the client to ensure safety.
If a court of law issues a subpoena or if a client is being mandated to treatment by court order, certain information discussed in therapy may have to be disclosed.

Do you accept insurance?

I accept some insurance plans and I encourage you to check with your insurance carrier to determine what mental health benefits you have. I am also an "Out of Network" provider for all PPO plans. Most insurance companies offer partial reimbursement for therapists that are not within their network of providers. I recommend checking with your insurance carrier to determine your out of network benefits. You may wish to consider some of the following questions:

Do I have mental health coverage?
How much does my plan reimburse for an out of network provider?
What is my deductible? Has it been met?
Does my carrier require pre-certification for out of network providers?
Be sure to ask about the deductible, the rate of reimbursement, and any limitation on the number of sessions.

If you are interested in utilizing out of network benefits, I will provide you with an invoice that contains all necessary documentation that insurance companies require to process your claim.

How much do you charge? What form of payment do you accept?

Please give me a call or email me to discuss my fees. I accept cash, checks, and credit cards. Payment is due at the time of your appointment.