What can I expect in our first session?
Our initial consultation will be an opportunity for me to get to know you and get a better sense of your goals for treatment.
We will discuss what is presently going on in your life and I may ask some questions about your personal history or family of origin in order to get a fuller understanding. This is also an opportunity for you to get to know me, ask questions and evaluate whether or not you feel I am the right fit for you.
What is the difference between Holistic Psychotherapy and regular psychotherapy?
Holistic Psychotherapy, which is often also referred to as Integrative Psychotherapy, is a form of therapy that is intended to treat the Whole Person. Treating the Whole Person is based on the belief that all parts of a person are interconnected and therefore real long-term healing requires that all parts be attended to in the therapeutic process.
At Aspen Holistic Therapy we believe that there are 5 critical aspects of personal health: emotional, cognitive, physical, social, and spiritual. In regular psychotherapy, often only one or two of these components are addressed. In order for real change and long-term healing to occur and in order for treatment to be considered truly holistic, it is imperative that none of these areas is neglected.
What is involved in a typical Holistic Psychotherapy session?
Therapy sessions vary widely and depend on the specific needs and goals of the client and what stage they are at in their personal healing process. One session might require that we focus more on family history while another might focus on practicing tools to help regulate the mind and body. At Aspen Holistic Therapy we believe deeply that in order for real change and healing to occur, the mind, body, spirit and brain must all be attended to.
Most sessions will include some combination of the following in order to address all aspects of the Whole Person: traditional talk therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Nutritional Psychology, body awareness, and somatic-based therapies. Occasionally, bibliotherapy and homework are assigned in order to support our work throughout the week and until our next session.
How long will I be in therapy for?
Therapy is a process that is unique to everyone and we all grow, heal and change at different rates. The answer to the question “how long will I be in therapy for” also depends on your goals and whether you are seeking treatment based on the “Illness Model of Therapy” or the “Wellness Model of Therapy”. In the Illness Model of Therapy, going to your therapist is like going to see your doctor.
People attend therapy to work through a specific problem or to alleviate specific symptoms and their treatment continues until the problem has been solved or the symptoms go away. The length of treatment might be several months to several years. In the Wellness Model of Therapy, going to therapy is like going to the gym.
You go to make a good life even better, to build strength in order to prevent future injuries and to reach your full potential. Just like there is no mandatory end date for going to the gym, there is no mandatory end date in the Wellness Model of Therapy.
During your initial consultation we will discuss your goals and what you hope to get out of therapy. As we continue to work together, I will check-in periodically to see if your needs have changed and whether or not you feel that your goals are being met.
What is the time commitment?
Typically therapists meet with clients once a week or bi-monthly for a 45 or 50 minute session. That said, there is no one-size-fits-all approach and it really depends on your personal goals and unique needs. At Aspen Holistic Therapy we typically meet with clients once a week either in the office, virtually or in the comfort of their home and session times can range from 50 to 90 minutes
Do you accept insurance?
I am an out-of-network provider and therefore I do not work directly with any insurance plans. I realize this may be an inconvenience to some clients, however, it is for your protection and to ensure full confidentiality of the content discussed in our sessions.
Any insurance claim requires a medical diagnosis to authorize treatment, even if one does not exist in your situation. As well, the insurance provider will determine how many counseling sessions are appropriate for your treatment, regardless of your needs and where you actually are in the treatment process.
That all said, many insurance plans do provide out-of-network benefits and often individuals can be reimbursed by as much as 40-70% for mental health services. If you would like to use your out-of-network benefits for reimbursement, I can provide you with an invoice that you can submit to your insurance company.
Helpful questions to ask your insurance company regarding reimbursement:
- Does my insurance plan offer out-of-network benefits for mental health services?
- Do I have a deductible and if so, how much of the deductible has already been met?
- Under my plan and when seeing an out-of-network mental health provider, how much will I get reimbursed per visit?
- Are there limitations to the number of sessions covered for mental health services?
- Do I need a referral or “prior approval” in order to get reimbursed for out-of-network mental health services?
What is your cancellation policy?
In order to respect everyone’s time and to maintain consistency, I require 24 hours advance notice of any cancellation. If you do not cancel within 24 hours of your scheduled appointment, you will be responsible for the full fee of your appointment and the card that we have on file for you will be charged.
What is your fee for a session?
The fee per session depends on the length of the session. For most 50-minute sessions, I charge $180 but some clients, especially those doing EMDR, require more time in which case the fee may be more. I also offer a sliding scale fee for a small percentage of clients that require financial assistance.