Office Hours
Thursday 1 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Friday 11:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Making an Appointment
Appointments are made by calling me. Although I am generally not immediately available by phone–I don’t answer the phone when I am in session with someone–you will reach my confidential voice mail.
Leave me a brief message with your name, phone number, and some times when I can reach you. Mornings are often the best time for me to make phone calls. I will typically return your call within 1-2 business days. The exception to this would be if I am out of town, and my voice mail message would let you know if this were the case.
Further Information
I do not typically use email because it is not a secure form of communication. If you do contact me by email, you need to know that you are doing so with the full understanding that I cannot guarantee the safety and security of that communication despite taking all possible actions to protect your privacy. Also, I am unable to check email regularly, so it is not an appropriate use for urgent or time-bound messages. It is important for you to know that if you do email me, I will assume you are granting me permission to respond by email, and that you understand that such communication may not be protected.
Contact Your Insurance Company for Benefit Information
I strongly recommend that you call your insurance company to obtain information on your mental health benefits. Your insurance company will tell you what your benefits are (if you have a deductible, and how much it is; how much your co-payment will be if you have one; if there are a maximum number of sessions allowed per year; etc.). You will need to know this information. Please read the Using Insurance page on the website for further information.
What to Bring to Your First Appointment
When you come to your first appointment please bring with you the forms you downloaded and completed. Also bring your insurance card because I have to make a copy of this for my billing service. If you will be using insurance, I will ask you for your insurance information when we schedule your first appointment. Please refer to my information on Using Insurance for more information. You may also choose to self-pay for therapy; please see the information in the Informed Consent for Participation in Treatment form for fees and information regarding privacy and use of insurance.
Custody or Parenting Decree – When parents are divorced or separated and one parent brings the child or adolescent to therapy, you must bring with you a copy of the custody or parenting decree. By law, I must know that the parent bringing the minor to therapy is legally allowed to do so, and I must keep a copy of the custody or parenting agreement in your child’s record.
Allow Time to Complete Forms
If you either do not want to download forms, or are not able to do so, the forms will be available at my office. Because I will ask you to complete them before we meet, you should come to your first appointment at least 20 minutes early if you wish to fill out the forms in the office. There will be a manila envelope in the waiting room that will have on it the time of your first appointment. The forms you need to fill out will be in that envelope. Please complete them before we meet.
Payment
Payment by cash or check is expected before we begin our session, and I will collect your copayment or whatever fee is due at that time. If you choose not to use your insurance, I will collect the full fee at that time. I do not accept credit cards.
