Contact me at (612) 926-8802
What is psychotherapy?
Most simply, psychotherapy is a process between one person who has a problem, and another who hopefully, has some
expertise and skills to help. It can also be between a couple and a therapist who helps work through the problems that
the couple has with each other. It can be short-term and goal-directed, or long-term working on deeper issues. Which
is the right approach for you is decided by what you want to accomplish, your finances, and how complicated the problem is.
Some people are able to get what they need in three to ten sessions; some require a longer time to work through the problem.
What do we do first?
When I meet with you at first, I want to ask a lot of questions to try to understand you as quickly as possible,
and I will take notes so that I can remember all of what you have said. This usually means that the first session is
a little more formal than later sessions. The best service I can give you is to get the "big picture"
of who you are and how your life is going, so that I can better help with whatever is bringing you in to talk. From
there we will develop goals for your therapy - which will be what you want to have different in how you feel, or how your
life is working.
What are the benefits of psychotherapy?
Many people find benefits from therapy. Together we will work
to achieve the goals you have set. Some examples might be: feeling less stuck in your life and relationships, having an increased
sense of peace, having less anxiety, having more ability to eat normally, having an improved relationship with your body,
having an increased sense of satisfaction or happiness. While no guarantees can be made about the outcome of therapy,
I have had over twenty-five years of experience helping others like you work toward their goals.
Can I use my health insurance?
Many people are concerned about paying for therapy and whether or not to use their health insurance.
This is a good thing to think about. When you use your insurance, they require that it be "medically necessary".
This means that you will need to have a diagnosable mental condition such as anxiety, depression or something else.
You agree that the insurance company can receive this information as well as a treatment plan which spells out your problem
and the treatment you will be receiving (if they request it.) There are times when receiving a diagnosis for a mental
condition will impact your ability to receive health, life or disability insurance at a later date. If your doctor has
prescribed medication such as an anti-depressant, chances are you have already received a diagnosis, and no further damage
can be done by using your health insurance for the same condition. If you have not received a diagnosis elsewhere, you
probably should think about whether you would prefer to keep the sessions just between you and me. If you do not use
your health insurance I can promise that your confidentiality will be more completely protected. Ultimately, it is up
to you to weigh the factors and decide what is right for you. I will be happy to bill your insurance for you if you
request it, regardless of whether I am a provider for your insurer. Otherwise, I can give you a receipt that can often
be used for reimbursement from a health savings account.
Fees and Insurance:
I am a participating provider
for some insurance companies; for others I am considered an "out-of-network" provider. I would be happy to
answer questions or to make contact with your insurer regarding your benefits. If you contact your insureer, these are the
questions to ask:
- Do I need a referral from a physician before I can
get therapy?
- Does my insurance cover a provider outside of network?
- What
is my deductible that must be met first?
- How much will my plan cover for each session? (specific
dollar amount? or percentage of fee?)
- Is there a limit on the number of sessions peryear or
on an amount of fees per year?
I bill certain
companies for you directly; for others I will provide you with a receipt that contains all the information you would need
to file a claim. If I am not an "in-network" provider for your insurance, I do ask that you provide payment
at the time of service. I accept cash, checks and credit cards. The fee for an initial appointment is $165, and
ongoing appointments are $155 for 50 minutes.
Contact
me at (612) 926-8802 or pat@patricialayton.com
