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Do you accept insurance?
Yes, I accept BCBS insurance. For other insurances, I can provide a Super Bill for you to submit to your insurance provider. If you have out-of-network (OON) benefits, your insurance company may reimburse you for a portion of the bill. If you don't have out-of-network benefits then they likely will not reimburse you. It's recommended that you call your plan directly to determine if you have out-of-network benefits or not.
How do I know what is covered by my insurance?
The best way to know for sure is to call your insurance company to confirm your coverage. When you call your insurance company, it is helpful to ask the following questions:
Are outpatient mental health benefits covered? Do they need prior authorization?
Do I have a deductible? If so, what is the deductible amount and what is the amount I've met so far?
Does my plan limit the amount of sessions I can have per year? If so, what is the limit?
Does my plan require a referral for outpatient mental health counseling?
What is my co-payment (or co-insurance) for outpatient mental health appointments? Is there a maximum out of pocket amount on my plan? If so, what is the amount and what have I paid so far?
Does my plan cover Telehealth appointments for outpatient mental health counseling? Is the co-payment or co-insurance amount the same as in-person visits?
Please remember that it is your responsibility (as the client) to understand your insurance coverage since each plan can vary. If you request it, I can look up your eligibility during our screening call or our first appointment. In most cases, the BCBS website will provide me with most of this information, but it is not always up to date. For that reason, it's recommended that you call your insurance company directly for the most up to date information.
What if I have Out-of-Network (OON) benefits?
If you do not have BCBS insurance, but you have out-of-network benefits from your insurance plan, then it's possible that your insurance company will reimburse you for a portion of the appointments that you attend with me. Each plan varies, so it's recommended that you call your insurance provider directly to determine what out-of-network benefits you have and what the process for reimbursement is. I am happy to provide a Super Bill or receipt as documentation to submit with your reimbursement request to your insurance company. These are not issued automatically, but they can be provided with a written request.
Do you offer Telehealth?
Yes, I offer HIPAA-compliant Telehealth appointments through Zoom. You do not need a subscription to Zoom to utilize these services; it is free for you to use for our appointments. Most insurance companies are paying for Telehealth appointments during the pandemic, although this may change in the future. (Massachusetts implemented a Mental Health parity law which ensures that insurance companies pay for Telehealth mental services indefinitely.) Some plans offer lower copayments for Telehealth visits, while some plans are the same amount. You should call your insurance company to determine if they cover Telehealth appointments or not.
Do you offer in-person visits?
Yes! I offer in-person visits at my office in Marlborough, MA on Wednesdays and Saturdays. For children and teens, in-person visits are strongly encouraged since Telehealth does not appear to be as effective for these age groups. I also offer Telehealth appointments for adults on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.
Do you have openings or is there a wait list?
My openings frequently change, so it's best to call or email to find out the current timeframe.
What days do you work?
My current schedule is Tuesdays 3p-9p (Telehealth/virtual appointments only), Wednesdays 9a-9p (In-Person or Telehealth), and Saturdays 9a-6p (In-Person or Telehealth).
Can I meet you before I commit to therapy?
Yes! You can call me at 774-289-3274 or email me at lizd@serenityinthestorm.org to schedule a FREE initial consultation. This will be a commitment-free appointment, free of charge, to gather information, get to know each other, and ask questions. We can also discuss insurance questions and availability at this time. From there, you can determine if I'm a good fit for you and I can determine if I feel qualified to address the needs you are seeking to resolve. If I can't meet your needs directly, then I'm happy to assist with referrals for someone better suited to meet your needs. There is no cost associated with this initial consultation, even if we decide not to work together.
What can I expect from our first session?
The first meeting or initial consultation is basically a Meet-and-Greet; which can be held virtually or in-person. No treatment will happen, there is no fee charged, and there is no commitment needed. I'll ask some questions so I can get to know you as a person and get an understanding of what's going on that brings you into therapy. You'll have an opportunity to ask me questions and get to know me a bit so that you can determine if it's a good professional fit for you. We can also discuss logistics, such as meeting days/times, insurance and fees, techniques used, etc.
If you choose to start therapy with me, the initial session will include gathering more information, building rapport (or getting to know each other and building trust), and beginning to develop a treatment plan based on your specific needs, preferences, learning styles, and interests, etc. We will begin to discuss strategies and agree on a practice assignment to build upon our work between sessions. All interventions - and therapy in general - is completely voluntary.
How do I know if you're the right therapist for me?
My philosophy is that growth happens outside of someone's immediate comfort zone, but within a supportive and validating environment. My goal is to be supportive, accepting, validating, AND gently challenging. Validation alone does build trust, but it doesn't typically lead to change. I aim to find a balance between the two by providing a safe place for you to take small steps outside of your comfort zone, with support and acceptance from me. I view my role as a navigator, but you are the driver. You decide where you want to go and I provide some directions to get you there and support if you get lost.
Whether you work with me or another therapist, there are a few key ingredients to a healthy therapeutic relationship:
Support and validation (feeling understood)
Acceptance and a non-judgmental environment (Yes, someone can accept you as you are AND accept that you want to make changes for yourself; this is a dialectic)
Honesty and trust (which should both be mutual)
Confidentiality
Ability to be vulnerable within a safe space
Therapist knowledge, training, and specialties that match the client's need areas
In addition to these fundamental aspects, it is very helpful to find a therapist who has a style or approach that is beneficial to you and conducive to a positive learning environment. Sometimes this isn't the case and the therapist just isn't a "good fit" for you personally. That's okay! Be honest and continue looking for someone who is a "good fit". As professionals, we understand that we are not the best fit for every individual and we know that this is important. If this is the case with me, I appreciate your honesty and I am happy to assist you to find someone who is a better fit for you.
How frequently will we meet?
This is decided on a case-to-case basis. If there are safety concerns, such as current suicidal thoughts or self-injurious behaviors, then I will expect to meet with you weekly (or more often if needed). If there are no current safety concerns, then you and I will discuss what frequency makes the most sense for your needs, your schedule, and your preferences. It is typical to meet weekly in the beginning, and then decrease to biweekly, and then monthly, before terminating.
How long does therapy take?
This is different for each person that I see. Generally therapy takes a minimum of several months, but sometimes it lasts for years, especially if new goals are identified throughout treatment. (For example, someone may enter therapy for a specific anxiety, but as that is resolved, they may decide to address other issues.) The length of therapy is a collaborative process. We will review your progress and your goals at least every few months and determine what approach to take from those discussions.
What type of therapy do you do?
Primarily I use techniques from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), although I also use techniques from Sand Tray therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Play Therapy, and others. Instead of offering one technique, I base my interventions on each person's individual needs and interests. Although I am intensively trained in DBT therapy, I only practice DBT-informed therapy currently. (DBT adherent therapy would include 24/7 phone coaching and consultation team, which I no longer do.) More information about all of these approaches are included in the New Client Packet, which is received upon intake or is available upon request.
What can I do to get the most out of therapy?
Therapy is most effective when there is collaboration throughout the process. I encourage you to take an active role in your treatment plan and to be honest with me, including giving constructive feedback if you think something isn't working. You'll also see more progress if you complete the practice assignments outside of therapy sessions.
If I'm already taking medications, is therapy redundant?
No, studies show that the most effective treatment for mental health concerns is a combination of medication and therapy. Medication can address some of the biological factors contributing to mental health, although it is often beneficial or necessary to also make changes in your daily habits or thinking patterns; which can be addressed in therapy. You will not be forced to take medication if you are in therapy, although referrals can be made if you choose to do so. However, there are some providers who will only prescribe medication if someone is in counseling services.
Is everything I say in therapy confidential?
Information that you share in therapy is both confidential and privileged information. However, there are limits to what can remain confidential. Specifically, I am required to notify someone in the following instances:
If you make a serious threat to yourself or someone else,
If I suspect abuse or neglect of a child, elderly, or disabled person
I may be required to release specific information in the following instances:
If you are suing someone, being sued, or are seeing me for an evaluation for court or your employer (Please discuss this with me at intake).
If you are using health insurance then I will need to disclose limited information to submit claims and I may need to submit specific information to determine medical necessity or eligibility of benefits.
If you are a minor, then your parent or legal guardian (s) have a legal right to specific information. We can discuss this at intake.
If you have other questions or concerns, please email me at lizd@serenityinthestorm.org
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