Frequently Asked Questions

About Therapy

  • Therapy is a safe space where you can address past and present challenges to create a better future. Even if you have supportive friends and family, you can benefit from working with an experienced professional and having a dedicated time and place to focus on your own needs and goals.

  • Have you been feeling stuck? Are you noticing changes with your mood, appetite, sleep, self-care, or habits and routines? Did you try to get back on track, only to find that the things that generally help you aren’t doing enough? Any of these can be signs that you might want to consider professional help.

  • Each therapist is different, but in general, you can expect an initial assessment of your needs, concerns, and history, goal-setting, and strategies tailored to your personal needs. A typical session with me includes a brief check-in, reviewing home practice tasks (what you've been working on between appointments), setting and prioritizing an agenda together, talking about each topic from our plan, summarizing what we discussed, reviewing any feedback, and choosing something to work on between sessions.

  • Typically, I meet with new clients weekly. This helps us build our relationship and it also helps you make progress towards your goals consistently. As time goes on and you develop new skills, we may taper to meeting every other week.

  • This can vary significantly, though the average for cognitive behavioral therapy is typically 12-20 sessions. I've worked with clients short-term, for focused therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I, which can be effective in as few as 6 sessions), cognitive processing therapy (CPT, a structured 12-week therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder), and parent guidance (working on specific concerns based on child and family needs). Some problems are more complex and we may work together for a longer time to address these needs. My goal is always to help you have a great outcome from therapy, so we will review your progress regularly to make sure your needs are met.

  • Currently I only offer therapy over telehealth, for residents of Pennsylvania (you must physically be located in Pennsylvania during appointments). I use a secure and HIPAA-compliant platform for telehealth appointments. I plan to offer in person therapy in the future, in Center City, Philadelphia.

  • As a licensed clinical social worker, I can advise that someone consult with a doctor (psychiatrist or primary care physician) or psychiatric nurse practitioner, but I can’t prescribe medications. In general, medication can be very helpful for addressing issues related to anxiety, depression, ADHD, or other concerns, yet it doesn’t teach skills or fix everything. If you choose to take psychiatric medication, I recommend therapy too, since it can help you feel better and manage daily struggles (including making it easier to take medication, if building that routine has been tough).

Questions About Insurance

  • Philadelphia Social Work is an out-of-network provider with all insurance plans. I can provide superbills for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement (the specific amount you receive back will depend on the particular details of your insurance plan). I have chosen not to participate in insurance panels for several different reasons:

    • Confidentiality and privacy – Not accepting insurance means that we can customize therapy based on your individual needs, rather than what the insurance company dictates (in terms of limiting the number of sessions or the length of appointments).

    • Transparency – Insurance companies are often not clear about what is included in mental health benefits, and the price you pay for services may vary based on factors like whether you've met your deductible (which resets at the beginning of the plan year). In contrast, the session fee you pay to see me is one that we've mutually agreed upon.

    • Quality of care – Because I don't participate in insurance, I have more time to focus on my clients, including preparing for appointments, engaging in continuing education, and coordinating care with other providers. This also allows me to avoid endless hours on the phone negotiating with insurance companies to cover appointments. If you want to learn more about other therapists' experiences with insurance companies, I recommend reading the ProPublica article Why I Left the Network.

  • Contact your health insurance directly to ask about the specific details of your plan. Here are some questions you can ask to understand the benefits available to you:

    • What out-of-network mental health benefits are included in my plan?

    • What is my deductible? Has it been met for this year?

    • How many therapy sessions does my plan cover for each calendar year?

    • How much does my plan cover for out-of-network providers?

    • What is the amount covered for each therapy session?

  • Fees for sessions with me are $250 per 50 minute appointment. I also offer half hour sessions ($125 per 30 minute appointment) and extended sessions ($375 per 90 minute appointment).

  • You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.

About Philadelphia Social Work

  • There are several types of therapists—licensed professional counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists, licensed clinical social workers, and licensed clinical psychologists. One benefit to seeing a clinical social worker is that in addition to considering what may be impacting you as an individual, I also consider the systems around you and how they may affect your well-being. Looking at what’s happening in your home, family, neighborhood, communities, plus society and the broader world helps us develop a more holistic perspective and address the systemic/structural challenges (to the extent that we can).

  • Yes! I'm committed to providing LGBTQ+ affirming therapy, whether you're yearning to explore your sexual orientation or gender identity, or just want a therapist who is accepting of all different relationship models and structures (polyamory, open-relationships, ethical nonmonogamy, and more). I’ve worked with many LGBTQ+ folks, and especially in difficult times, I truly value the opportunity to help you create a life where you feel welcomed, affirmed, and celebrated for who you are.

  • I have training and expertise working with kids and adults with ADHD, autism, and other neurodivergences. It's important to me to offer services that are inclusive and affirming for all kinds of different brains. I spent about 3½ years working as an ADHD specialist (at The Center for ADHD) and I'm very committed to creating a practice that is welcoming and accessible for neurotypical and neurodivergent brains alike.

  • Yes! I worked at a clinic helping veterans and military family members for several years, and I’d be excited to use this experience to support you. Maybe you've been frustrated by civilian therapists who don’t understand your unique experiences (as a veteran or as a military family member) and you've been looking for someone who “gets it” without you having to explain everything about military culture. I'd love to help, so please contact me if this is something you’re looking for.

  • Currently I only offer therapy over telehealth, for residents of Pennsylvania (you must physically be located in Pennsylvania during appointments). I use a secure and HIPAA-compliant platform for telehealth appointments. I plan to offer in person therapy in the future, in Center City, Philadelphia.

    • Supervision - $100/hour (I can also speak with you about the possibility of group supervision for a lower rate)

    • Consultation – depends on the specific project, contact me to discuss details

  • I take your privacy very seriously and will not discuss what you share with me without your permission. With written consent, I can speak with other healthcare providers on your team, your child’s school, your partner or family members, or other supportive people. However, there are some exceptions to confidentiality. As a mandated reporter, I’m required to report:

    • Child abuse

    • Elder abuse

    • Serious safety concerns (related to harming oneself or others)

  • Business hours are by appointment only (between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays).

    • Philadelphia Social Work celebrates the diversity of the human experience and welcomes potential clients of all backgrounds. The practice does not discriminate based on age, race, color, religion/faith/spirituality (including atheism and agnosticism), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, relationship status, or disability.

    • Cancellations – Please give 24 hours notice of appointment cancellations. Any cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice will be charged the full session fee.

    • Timeliness – if you have not arrived for your appointment, I call or text at 10 minutes past your appointment time to check in. if you are more than 15 minutes late for an appointment (without advance notice), it will be considered a no-show.

    • Payment is due at the time of service. I use IvyPay to bill for therapy.

    • I strive to do the best I can to help everyone and will refer out if the services I can provide are not a match for your needs.

    • All sales are final.