FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What insurance do you accept?

​I accept the following insurance plans for therapy in Beachwood, Ohio:

• Anthem

• Medical Mutual

• Cigna

• SummaCare

• Aetna

• United Healthcare

• Medicare

• CareSource

If your insurance is not listed, you may still be eligible for out-of-network reimbursement, which can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket cost for therapy. I encourage you to contact your insurance provider before your first session to ask about out-of-network mental health benefits.

I also offer reduced fees for individuals without insurance or whose insurance does not cover therapy. I am happy to discuss a reasonable hourly rate over the phone prior to scheduling.

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Methods of Payment

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Cash, check, and most major credit cards are accepted.

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What will my first therapy session be like?

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Your initial session typically lasts between 50–90 minutes.

During this time, we will discuss what brings you to therapy now. You may have a detailed explanation — or you may simply know that something feels off. Either is perfectly acceptable.

I generally use the first three sessions as an assessment period. This allows me to understand your concerns more thoroughly and gives you time to determine whether I am the right therapist for you.

If we decide to move forward, we will clarify goals and discuss what treatment might look like — including whether short-term therapy or longer-term psychotherapy would best suit your needs.

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Do I have to talk about things that feel uncomfortable?

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No. You are never required to discuss anything before you are ready.

That said, therapy sometimes involves exploring emotions or experiences that are difficult. Growth often requires examining what we typically avoid.

In the context of a consistent and professional therapeutic relationship, uncomfortable feelings can be tolerated, understood, and gradually worked through in a manageable way.

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How long does therapy take?

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I provide both short-term therapy (often six months or less) and longer-term psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Some individuals come to therapy to address a specific issue and feel relief relatively quickly. Others choose to continue longer in order to explore deeper personality patterns and longstanding emotional conflicts.

There is no one-size-fits-all timeline. The length of treatment depends on your goals and the depth of work you wish to pursue.

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Is what we discuss private?

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Confidentiality is essential to effective therapy.

What you share in session remains private, with a few legal exceptions:

• If you use insurance, certain information (such as a diagnosis) must be submitted for reimbursement.

• If there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or others, I am required to notify appropriate authorities.

• Other limited circumstances required by law.

I am happy to review confidentiality in more detail during our first session so that you feel fully informed.

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How does talking actually help?

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Many emotional symptoms persist because thoughts and feelings are avoided, misunderstood, or expressed indirectly through behavior.

Therapy provides space to verbalize and examine your inner experience in a structured, thoughtful way. This process often leads to:

• Greater emotional clarity

• Improved self-control

• Reduced anxiety

• Better decision-making

• More stable relationships

In psychodynamic psychotherapy, talking is not “just venting.” It is a method of understanding patterns and creating lasting change.

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Will I need medication?

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I am not a psychiatrist and do not prescribe medication.

My primary focus is therapy. However, when symptoms are severe enough to interfere with meaningful work in therapy, medication can sometimes be helpful. If appropriate, I can coordinate with your primary care physician or psychiatrist to support a combined treatment approach.

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What types of issues do you treat?

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In my Beachwood therapy practice, I work with adults experiencing:

• Anxiety

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• Depression

• Bipolar disorder

• Trauma

• Psychosis

• Life transitions

• Relationship difficulties

• Personality patterns that create conflict

• Work-related stress

• Impulse control concerns​

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If you are unsure whether therapy is right for your particular concern, I welcome a brief phone conversation to discuss your situation.

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“What is wrong with me?”

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Often, people begin therapy unsure of exactly what is wrong.

That is completely understandable.

Part of psychotherapy involves discovering how certain emotional and relational patterns developed — and why they continue.

Some relief often comes quickly: learning that your symptoms are understandable and treatable can reduce fear and self-blame. More thorough change takes time, particularly when patterns have been in place for years.

Therapy is not about labeling you as damaged. It is about understanding what has shaped you — and creating more freedom moving forward.