What can I expect in the first session?
I’d like to think of the first session as a time when I get to meet your family, get a better understanding of what brought you into therapy, and gain perspective on your goals? What you would like to achieve? How will we both know that we are done and you no longer need to see me and have worked me out of a job!? What will be different?
The first appointment is just as much for you as it is for me. This is your time to get to know me and decide if I am a good match for you or your family. I am convinced that relationship truly does trump just about everything else. A therapist can have the best skills in the world, but without relationship- nothing happens. On the contrary, a therapist
can have less skill and have a great therapeutic relationship with their client and amazing things can happen. Wouldn’t it be great if you have skill and relationship?
It.
Is.
Possible.
This is your time to see if the “shoe fits” and I likewise~
I will process with you and your family what the circumstances are that lead you to my front door and share my initial thoughts. We will discuss and start to establish a treatment plan, which is a map if you will, of the goals we want to achieve and a way to get there and accomplished.
Of course, the first appointment is about housekeeping issues as well. We will have to tend to the necessary, but not exciting paperwork part of our work together: signing privacy notices, other paperwork, and payment agreements. The good news is this happens once (and most of it can be done prior to your first visit, if you complete the packet emailed to you).
The most important thing, from my perspective is relationship. It is imperative to find a therapist you can trust and work through some of life’s most extravagant challenges with safety, security, and of course – skill.
How long is the therapy process?
“How long will it last?” This is one of the questions people most often ask when they are about to begin therapy–especially if it’s their first time. The answer I usually give isn’t the one people want to hear, because I answer with a question: “How much are you willing to work?” “How much are you willing to be flexible and authentic?” A behavioral psychotherapist who emphasizes eliminating symptoms may answer that the therapy will be completed when the symptom is gone, which may be a matter of weeks or at most a year. A cognitive psychotherapist may reply, “The treatment will last long enough to replace your negative thinking with positive thinking.” Someone who specializes in short-term therapy may say, “We will set goals and the therapy will be over when we reach those goals, which will be no more than a month or two.”
In the words of Nanny McPhee… “There is something you should understand about the way I work. When you need me but do not want me, then I must stay. When you want me but no longer need me, then I have to go.” Ultimately, your job is to work me out of a job. When the work is done and you have found resolution, the work is complete. Of course “complete” is a very subjective word. It could be defined as learning to manage the challenges that were alive and well that led you to knock on my door to begin with, learning to look in the mirror and value the reflection, or live life with more joy and confidence. The point is, you will know when the work is done and you are the gatekeeper of this decision. Remember, hard work is hard, but a life fully lived lies just around the corner of the work.
What is my next step?
I hope that you have found something encouraging as you have sifted through the words and thoughts written on these pages. Your next step is to discern whether or not you are ready to take the next step and meet in person. If you are ready to move forward, please go to https://angelahenrylcsw.clientsecure.me leading you to the Simple Practice portal where you will create an account and schedule your first appointment. The Simple Practice portal will intuitively send you a new client packet to complete and upload directly to your account (as well as send you automated appointment reminders). Please make sure to complete the Biographical Information Form and upload any previous psychological evaluations/assessments, IEP’s or other documents that would be helpful. Completing these steps and uploading additional information will allow our first session to be more efficient and productive. If you have any questions that I can answer, please go to the “contact me” page on the site to leave a secure email. I look forward to doing this work alongside you~
What insurances and payments are accepted?
Fee Schedule: Fee’s will vary depending on the service rendered. Typical sessions are usually 53-60 minutes in length; however, sessions can also be billed in increments of 30 and 45 minutes depending on the therapeutic needs of the client. The fee for a standard 53-60-minute session is $200.00.
RATE:
45 minute session $150.00
60 minute session $200.00
Group Sessions $100.00
Other Psychiatric Services or Procedures (meetings, paperwork, consults with other professionals) $50 (per 15 minute intervals)
Court Appearance $300 per hour
(longer or shorter sessions are prorated)
Appointments and Cancellations: No one is guaranteed an appointment, but I will do my best to accommodate you. If you are unable to keep an appointment, please notify me immediately. This time is reserved exclusively for you. In order to support consistency and continued progress, this practice has a 48 hour in advance cancellation policy. If you are needing to cancel and have not given 48 hours advanced noticed, you are responsible for payment whether the session is attended or not. If you need to re-schedule your appointment, you may email me at angelahenrylcsw@gmail.com, or go to https://angelahenrylcsw.clientsecure.me to make necessary changes.
Extra Time After Sessions: If for some reason both the therapist and client(s)/parents agree that more time is needed after the normal session time (53-60 minutes), the time will begin a new 50-minute charge on the minute according to the cash rate noted in this policy. This time must be paid by the client by credit card, check, or cash.
Payment: Payment in full is due at the start of each session. There are several convenient payment options: debit, credit, FSA, or HSA cards. These payment cards can be linked and processed using the Simple Practice HIPAA-compliant payment option with Stripe in the secure client portal.
Insurance: Angela M. Henry, LCSW has no contracts with insurance companies, and clients are fully responsible for payment. As a courtesy to you, I will provide you with an invoice or superbill so that you can file a claim with your insurance company for direct reimbursement. I cannot guarantee reimbursement from your insurance company for my services as this relationship is between you and your insurance carrier. Some insurance companies have very particular rules and complicated reimbursement structures. The client may want to ask their insurance company about deductibles, allowed amounts, which services the insurance will cover, and if there are any restrictions on the specific procedures the client can see. Payment may be made by cash, check, credit, or HSA card.