DOCTOR-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP: The best relationships are based on mutual understanding and trust. This is especially true of the doctor-patient relationship. I believe that I can serve you better by giving you a fuller understanding of my professional services and office policies and practices.
What is psychotherapy like?
Psychotherapy is not easily described in general statements. It varies depending on the personality of both the therapist and the patient, as well as the particular problems which the patient brings into treatment. It is not like visiting a medical doctor, in that it requires a very active effort on your part. In order to be most successful, you will have to work both during our sessions and at home, as well as being as honest and open as possible.
Psychotherapy has both benefits and risks. Risks sometimes include experiencing uncomfortable levels of feelings like sadness, guilt, anxiety, anger and frustration, loneliness and helplessness. Psychotherapy often requires recall of unpleasant aspects of your history. Psychotherapy has been also shown to have benefits for people who undertake it. It often leads to a significant reduction in feelings of distress, better relationships and resolution of specific problems. But, there are no guarantees about what will happen.
By the end of the initial evaluation, I will be able to offer you some initial impressions of what our work will include. In some cases, this will include asking the patient to undergo formal psychological testing, with a specific goal of using that information to clarify the diagnosis as quickly as possible, with such information also frequently utilized to generate a more specific treatment plan. If such testing procedures are not used, the diagnosis and treatment plan are generated through the taking of a detailed history and interviewing, which may require one or more sessions to complete. In some situations, my role is to function exclusively in a consulting capacity, with my responsibility being to evaluate the patient and provide a diagnosis and recommendations to the referral source. Regardless of the nature of your entrance into my practice, you should evaluate this information along with your own assessment about whether I am a person with whom you feel comfortable working. Evaluation and/or therapy involve an important commitment, so you should be very careful about the therapist you select. If you have any questions, or concerns, we should discuss them whenever they may arise.
How do I schedule an appointment?
You can call 305-412-0005, or contact me via email me at:
Make an Appointment!
What hours are you available:
Appointments are scheduled from 9:00 a.m. through 8:00 p.m., Monday thru Thursday. I have a second office location in Weston, Florida, where patients are seen on Friday and Saturday.
What can I expect during a therapy session?
Therapy sessions last 45-50 minutes. Therapy sessions are usually scheduled on a weekly basis. However, depending on the needs of the individual, more frequent appointments can be scheduled, i.e., 2-3 sessions per week. As progress is made, appointments will likely become less frequent.
Will my health insurance plan pay for treatment?
Individual and group health insurance plans usually provide for mental health treatment. The level of coverage and your financial responsibility will be established prior to the initial appointment. If you are using health insurance to pay for services rendered, my office will bill the insurance company for their portion of the financial responsibility. However, most insurance plans require a copayment to be made by the patient. There are a variety of services that I may provide that cannot be billed to any health insurance company, in which case the patient, or other third party source, would be financially responsible for the services rendered.
What are the limits of confidentiality?
The Department of Health and Human Services has established a “Privacy Rule” to help ensure that personal health care information is protected for privacy. The Privacy Rule was also created in order to provide a standard for certain health care providers to obtain their patients’ consent for uses and disclosures of health information about the patient to carry out treatment, payment, or health care operations. However, there are various exceptions to federally protected privacy laws.
If you elect to use your health insurance benefits to pay for treatment, your diagnosis, symptoms, history, and any substance abuse issues (if any) will become a part of your permanent medical record. Your insurance company has retained the right to access and copy any and all of this information, as well as all clinical documentation of your treatment. You should be aware that in some cases, this information might be submitted to your insurance databases and/or employers when they are the purchaser of your medical/mental health benefits. You have most likely waived your right to confidentiality when you signed up with your insurance company, but you should contact your insurance company or read your insurance policy for clarification or confirmation.
Another possible exception to your confidentiality relates to the patient being involved in any legal proceedings, i.e., divorce, law suits, etc. In such cases, the court may issue an Order requiring the submission of patient records to be used in connection with such litigation.
Under Florida law, health care Providers are required to notify the appropriate authorities, i.e., Police or the Department of Children and Family Services, when the safety of the patient, or other person has been identified.