Connie’s Practice
Finding the right therapist is crucial for getting what you need from therapy. Whether you want to build a more healthy relationship, get relief from depression or anxiety, or navigate a life transition, or if you simply feel stuck where you are in life; I can help lead you on your way to living the life you deserve.
Here is some information about my practice that you might find useful when considering therapy.
What To Expect
During our initial phone consultation, I will ask you…
What is leading you to seek therapy right now?
I leave it to you as to how much information you want to share in our first conversation. You may wish to sum up your reason for seeking counseling in several words and then move on to scheduling the intake appointment, where you can share details with me face to face. On the other hand, your phone consultation is an opportunity for you to describe your unique situation to me, and I may share my level of familiarity and experience helping clients with your specific issue. If your situation is not a specialty of mine, I will be honest and let you know right away.
Have you been in therapy before? If so, was it helpful?
This helps me know what past experiences—whether they were helpful or not helpful—might be shaping your expectations of counseling as we begin working together. I am happy to share with you more about how I begin the therapy process with clients and what to expect.
What special concerns or questions, if any, do you have about coming for therapy?
This is your opportunity to ask me anything about my professional experience, or what you want me to know about you before scheduling an intake appointment.
Are there specific days or times that you need for appointments?
If the specific time slot you need is not available immediately, I will do my best to give you an idea of how soon that time slot will become available to you.
Setting up your first appointment
- To request an appointment, request more information, or schedule a free 15-minute phone consult, you may contact me using whichever way is easiest for you:
- Send me a message by clicking here. I will get back to you promptly, within hours or almost always within one business day.
- Call 571-306-2334 and leave me a voicemail. I will get back to you promptly, within hours or almost always within one business day.
- I will get back to you to answer your questions by email or in a free 15-minute phone consult.
- We will schedule your appointment.
Before the Intake Session
Once your intake appointment is scheduled, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to access the intake forms. If you prefer to complete the forms at my office before you arrive, please let me know in advance, so I can have the forms ready for you 20 minutes before your scheduled appointment.
Intake Session
My primary focus during our first session is to give you a safe and comfortable space where you can share what you’re going through with me. I am committed to learning your story of what brings you to therapy, so after we review your Intake Form, I will ask you to share with me a brief history of your situation(s) so that I can better understand and help you to move forward.
In the first or second session, I will also ask you to share parts of your life and family history. This is very helpful in the assessment process, so I know what approaches will be most effective in helping you get what you need out of counseling.
We will discuss your goals for therapy and what is most important to you. If you’re unsure of what those are, that’s completely okay—I’ll help you each step of the way.
Follow-up Sessions
After our first session, I will give you my recommendation as to the frequency of follow-up sessions. A complete assessment requires up to two sessions for individuals and four sessions for couples (an intake session, an individual session with each partner, and a follow up joint session). After I have completed my assessment, I will share my recommendations on how I can tailor your sessions to help you meet your therapy goals.
Cost
- Intake session: $195 for 75 minutes
- Follow-up family / couple sessions: $180 for 60 minutes
- Follow-up sessions: $130 for 45 minutes; $160 for 60 minutes
- No-shows and cancellations less than 24 hours in advance: $75
Insurance
Please note that in order for you to use insurance, I am required to diagnose you with a mental health disorder that becomes a part of your medical record. When the focus of treatment is marital/couples counseling, many insurances do not reimburse for these services. If this is a concern, I am happy to discuss this further with you by phone or at the first session. In the event of non-coverage or denial of payment, you will be responsible to pay for services.
I am currently a preferred provider for the following insurances:
- Anthem/Blue Cross Blue Shield (PPO)
- Anthem Healthkeepers HMO (not Healthkeepers Plus)
- Carefirst PPO
- Carefirst Blue Choice HMO
- Tricare Standard / Select
- Medicare
For any of the above, we will file your claims directly with your insurance. Prior to your intake appointment, I will ask you to provide your insurance information to my insurance coordinator so we may confirm your mental health benefits and any co-pay or deductible.
For other insurances, I am an out of network provider and am happy to provide you an invoice/statement following the session, so you may submit it to your insurance for possible reimbursement.
Therapy Can Help Lead You To A Life Full Of Vitality
Finding the right therapist is crucial to making positive changes. I am ready to walk alongside you through whatever you’re going through. If you’re interested in a 15-minute phone consultation to see if we’re a good fit, you are welcome to send me a message or call me at 571-306-2334.