Getting Started
How do we begin?
Here’s the simplest way to start: call me! Give me a call and we’ll explore your needs and goals, and to see if we’re a good fit to work together. Alternatively, you’re welcome to email me, and please be sure to include your phone number, so we can talk.
And here’s the money part — not my favorite part, but here we are. So, for each session, payment will be collected electronically during the first session through a secure app designed just for therapists called Ivy Pay; think of it like a sort of PayPal app, but just for clients and their therapists. I really like that I’ll never know your credit card number, and that you’ll always receive notifications that a charge has come through.
About insurance (if you don’t plan to use insurance, you can skip this paragraph). Please note that my practice is not listed with insurance companies, for many different reasons. But I’m happy to provide you with a “super bill” invoice for you to submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement toward your session fee, if you chose to ask your insurance for partial reimbursement toward your sessions. This will work for many insurance companies. Please ask me for further clarification, and please check as well with your insurance company to see if they will reimburse you for working with an “out of network” provider. You would be getting back part of your fee, after your deductible is paid, if behavior health and teletherapy is covered in your policy. Be sure to ask about just how much this would be, too, and to also find out both what your deductible is, and how much of it has already been satisfied at this time. If they need more information, please get back to me. Whew! Let’s move along…
If it’s hopefully a go at this point, then during this first phone call we’ll set up our first telehealth appointment time. It will most likely be quite soon, and I’ll usually be able to schedule it within days of our call. How we’ll connect online is really easy, and is explained here on my telehealth page. I promise to patiently walk you through by hand, if necessary, over the phone as we’re making the first online connection, to be sure it all goes smoothly. And it really will.
I’ll email you two documents right away to allow us to get going: a) For the DocuSign form, this is easy to read and fill in within minutes online. It tells you about my office policies, and it’s also your agreement to become my client. Legally, I must get this back before the first appointment. Thank you in advance for your help! b) The second form is an intake form I’ve created to learn about what makes you tick — you’ll see. It’s so very helpful as background to our work, and it “should” be filled out and submitted online before we begin. Not to worry, though, as procrastination is a favorite topic for sessions! Most interestingly, your process of completing this form will probably be just as helpful for you, as it is for me to peruse it. Again, you’ll see!
And this is all it takes to get going. I look forward to hearing from you, to explore setting up an appointment and to get any of your questions answered. My phone number and email are listed at the bottom of each page on this website, for your convenience. Take good care!
I offer a free 15 minute phone consultation to help you learn more about my practice, and to help us decide about fit and working together, or further options you may wish to explore.