The following are some  common questions people have before starting therapy.  If you don’t see your question or if you want more information, please call or email me.

What is the difference between counseling and psychotherapy?

Historically the counseling has referred to more short-term, solutions focused talk therapy while therapy has referred to a more long-term approach, focusing on a broader range of issues or specific mental health concern.  In general, today the terms “counseling” and “psychotherapy” or “therapy” are used interchangeably.  They both refer to “talk therapy” in which someone meets with a mental health professional to discuss their concerns or changes they would like to make. I am trained and qualified to provide both counseling and psychotherapy in the traditional definitions of the terms and I tend to use both terms, as both approaches are often beneficial to most people seeking services.

What are your qualifications to provide counseling/therapy?

I have a Master’s degree in clinical social work from Rhode Island College and I am an independently licensed clinical social worker in the state of RI.  You can verify this license by visiting the RI Department of Health at www.health.ri.gov/licensing/.  I have over 10 years of experience providing counseling/therapy to children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families.  One of the most important indicators of success in therapy is finding the therapist that works best for you.  If after we speak on the phone or have our first meeting you don’t feel that I am the best fit for you, I will be happy to refer you to one of many colleagues in the field that might be a better match.

How long will my counseling session be and will I be in therapy forever?

Each session is generally 45 min – 1 hour and usually starts out once a week.  Every person is different and comes to therapy with different needs and expectations so the duration of services will vary based on your specific concerns and goals.

How much are the sessions and how can I pay for services?

I accept most major health insurances.  Depending on your health insurance plan you may be responsible for a portion of the fee (a co-payment).  You can determine this by contacting your health insurance company.  I strive to never let financial hardship keep someone from receiving services so if you do not have insurance, I have a sliding scale  for fees that we can discuss together when you call.  I accept cash, check, and all major credit and debit cards.  You are responsible for paying for services at each session.  If you cancel an appointment with less than 24 hour notice or do not show up for an appointment you will be charged a $25 fee which must be paid before or at your next session.

How do I schedule an appointment?

Please call or email me (information to the right) to schedule your first appointment or to get more information.  I currently have daytime and some evening hours available during the week.  Limited weekend appointments may be available.

Are services confidential?  How do you keep my information private?

You confidentiality and privacy are very important to me.  My office is located in a large building that is home to many different businesses so no one will necessarily know you are there for counseling when you arrive if this is a concern to you.  I can also direct you to a more private entrance to my office suite if you prefer.  Your information is kept in a secure, locked location and by law I am required to keep your information confidential.  There are some limits to confidentiality that we will discuss in our first session but in general these include if you plan to harm yourself, harm someone else, or if child abuse/neglect is suspected.  Again, your privacy is very important and we will discuss confidentiality limitations in detail in our first session.

Where are you located and where can I park?

My office is located on the East Side of Providence at 1 Richmond Square, a large building at the end of Waterman Street.  The office is on the first floor and is handicap accessible.  Once you enter the main entrance you will walk to the left down the hall and the Suite 103K is on the left.  The building’s receptionist can direct you.  There is ample, free parking available in the area.  If you are experiencing barriers to getting to the office, home sessions or sessions in your community (such as community center or library) may be available.  I also provide services on site at schools.

What specific types of counseling/therapy do you offer?

Currently I am accepting adolescents, individual adults, couples, and families.  I am accepting children (13 years and under) on a case by case basis.  I am trained in a variety of therapeutic approaches and techniques to address most concerns and I tend to use an eclectic approach in treatment.  I am trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), an evidence based treatment of trauma and trauma related symptoms.  If you are interested in this specific treatment method or any others please let me know and I will answer any questions you may have.

Can you prescribe medication?

No.  Only a medical doctor such as a psychiatrist can prescribe medication.  If through our conversations you think that medication may be beneficial, I can refer you to a psychiatrist who can evaluate your needs and have that discussion with you.

Prefiero hablar en español.  Donde puedo encontrar mas información de sus servicios en mi idioma?

Desafortunadamente, no tengo mi pagina de web traducida en español todavía, pero hablo español y le puedo dar cualquier información que usted necesita cuando usted me llama o por correo electrónico.  La documentación legal esta disponible en español.

I am happy to answer any questions you may have before setting up an appointment. Please feel free to call or email me any time.