Will my insurance cover therapy?
How safe is my privacy and confidentiality?
How long are therapy sessions? How often?
Do you accept credit cards?
What is the policy for cancelled or missed appointments?
Will you make me go to 12-Step meetings?
What if I want to “cut down” my sexual behaviors, but not stop entirely?
Will my insurance cover therapy?
Many of my clients do successfully use their insurance for reimbursement of therapy fees. Some clients receive more reimbursement than others. It will depend on your policy’s mental health benefits. I am not an “in-network” provider for any insurance company. However, I will provide you with a statement that you can submit for reimbursement. Payment is due at the time of service.
How safe is my privacy and confidentiality?
Without a signed release from you, I cannot divulge any information about you or your case. I do regularly consult with trusted colleagues, and I may discuss non-identifying details of your case within that professional setting. My colleagues are also legally bound to maintain your confidentiality.
If you are using insurance to pay for your therapy, you should be aware that insurers may request access to certain information about treatment for which they’ve been paying. If you have concerns about this, please discuss with me before starting therapy or before submitting claims for reimbursement.
Legal and ethical standards of my profession may require that I break your confidentiality if I believe you’re intent upon causing lethal harm. I am legally mandated to report suspected abuse of a child, elder, or dependent adult. I am not mandated to report illegal activity that falls outside of these tenets (e.g., prostitution, exhibitionism, voyeurism).
How long are therapy sessions? How often?
Therapy sessions are 50 minutes in length. In some cases—particularly couples therapy— it may be more productive to have 80-minute sessions. Most patients come to therapy once a week.
Do you accept credit cards?
Yes. Mastercard, Visa, and American Express. You may also pay by cash or check. Payment is due at the time of service.
What is your cancellation policy?
All appointments are subject to a 24-hour cancellation policy. If you must cancel or reschedule an appointment with less than 24 hours notice, you will be responsible for the full fee of that session.
Will you make me go to 12-Step meetings?
No, I won’t make you. But I might suggest you check out a couple of meetings before rejecting the idea entirely. Sex addiction thrives in secrecy, so there’s a lot of value and shame-reduction provided by a group of addicts (or partners) meeting to solve their common problem. If you’re worried about being seen at a 12-step meeting by someone you know, telephone conference-call meetings are offered by some programs. There are a few different 12-step programs for sex-addicts and their partners, and they all define and approach recovery a little differently. I can help you navigate the options, and determine which meetings might be the best fit for you.
What if I want to “cut down” my sexual behaviors, but not stop entirely?
Getting to “healthy sexuality” is the goal, so it depends upon what your acting-out behaviors are, and what’s consistent with your definition of healthy sexuality. For example, some addicts can moderate their pornography use; others find that using any porn is a slippery slope, and choose to remain abstinent from all pornography. Some clients want to continue visiting strip clubs, but reduce the time and money spent. Some clients want to stop their compulsive nightly search for anonymous sex, but still want to engage in the occasional hook-up. My goal is to help you embrace sexual behaviors that enhance your life.