FAQ
How do you start treatment with a new patient?
Every new patient relationship starts with an initial consultation process before treatment begins. During that initial consultation process, it is important to learn about the patient's problems, medical, family and social history, prior and current mental health treatments and, if the patient is a child or adolescent, their family's concerns, objectives and situation. I also may request that the patient have a medical examination and/or laboratory tests.
Once the consultation is finished, I will make recommendations as to treatment options and choices. If those recommendations are accepted by the patient (and their family, if applicable), treatment will begin. For children and adolescents, I often request that the parents participate weekly or regularly in meetings with me to establish good lines of communication, to address parents' needs and concerns and to work collaboratively.
How often do you see patients?
Because of the intensive nature of the therapeutic work, I rarely see patients at less than two times per week. Patients in psychoanalysis typically are seen three to five times per week. With infants and younger children, patients are seen with a parent during treatment. Parent work and family therapy are integrated into treatment as well.
What are your Payment Policies?
I am not a part of any insurance company networks, and therefore patients or their families must seek reimbursement under their insurance for amounts paid to me. Insurance coverage will vary by diagnosis and insurance plan. I am not a Medicare provider and, therefore, cannot see anyone over 65 years of age
Fees are set after consultation with the patient or their family based upon a number of factors, including frequency of treatment sessions. While I reserve the right to request payment by session or an initial deposit, generally I invoice on a monthly basis and expect payment in full within thirty days after each invoice. Patients who cancel scheduled sessions with less than twenty-four hours' prior notice will be charged for such missed sessions. Additionally, patients who repeatedly cancel scheduled sessions may no longer have such time slots reserved for them or may have their treatment terminated.
Do Your Patients Use Psychiatric Medication?
As a licensed doctor practicing psychiatry, I am able to prescribe medication when it is appropriate for the patient. I do not, however, enter into medication-only patient relationships (i.e., what some call "split treatment" where a psychotherapist does therapy and a psychiatrist oversees the medication) since I have found that the combination of psychoanalysis/psychotherapy with medication is more effective than solely prescribing medication. For complex problems, I believe a patient can be more holistically treated by seeing a single doctor who can both prescribe medicine as needed and also address the meaning and effectiveness of the medication as part of the
therapy.
Do You Offer Parenting Help?
Since parents are integrally involved when I conduct psychoanalytic treatment with infants, children, adolescents and even young adults, it offers an opportunity to look at and understand what the patient needs from the parents, how effective family communication is and what unspoken rules, expectations and hopes need to be voiced and fully considered so as to help both the patient and the parents achieve a more functional and less painful or stressful family system. Many children express their needs indirectly, such as a need for consistent and containing behavioral limits, and the treatment process can allow parents to see what their children are asking for nonverbally or what their worries are. Many parents also carry with them the memories and effects of their own childhood experiences, so parent work during a child’s treatment can allow the parent to better process and understand those feelings and affects, without necessarily repeating them.