Your Questions, Answered

Finding the right fit in a therapist is so important. Finding a therapist is one of the most personal experiences you will have.  That’s why we have a free consultation before any formal commitment.  I have found that I usually have a good connection with the people who find me  through referrals or by reading my profile.  However, if I am not the right fit for you, I will support you in finding someone who better aligns with your therapeutic needs, personality, and practical considerations, such as location or payment needs.

We maintain a strict confidentiality policy. No information is released without your written consent except when disclosure is required or allowed by law. Examples of situations in which disclosure is required or allowed by law include when there is an immediate cause for concern about potential harm to you or to others; when there is reasonable cause to suspect that a child, elder adult, or vulnerable adult has been or is being abused, neglected, abandoned, endangered, or exploited; when allegations are made by a patient of sexual misconduct committed by a licensed healthcare professional; if I am a party defendant to a civil, criminal, or disciplinary action arising from a complaint filed by a patient; and when the release of records or information is authorized by a signed court order. In addition, individuals who use health insurance to pay for psychological services agree that their full treatment file will also be available to the insurance carrier as indicated in the insurance contract. Because of this, many individuals who have health insurance prefer to pay for services on their own in order to avoid the involvement of their health insurance provider and to retain the privacy and confidentiality of their personal health information.

‍ ‍You can read more about confidentiality and patients’ rights under HIPAA by clicking here:
https://www.cdc.gov/phlp/php/resources/health-insurance-portability-and-accountability-act-of-1996-hipaa.html

‍ ‍

People enter therapy for a wide range of reasons, from managing clinical conditions to pursuing proactive personal growth. Common motivations include: 

‍Clinical & Diagnostic Support

‍Mental Health Conditions: Managing symptoms of Anxiety (the most common diagnosis in the US), Depression, PTSD, OCD, and ADHD.

Addiction and Substance Use: Seeking professional help to address unhealthy coping mechanisms involving alcohol, drugs, or behavioral addictions like gambling. 

Relational & Life Transitions

Challenges: Improving communication, resolving conflict, or addressing repeated unhealthy patterns in romantic, family, or platonic bonds.

Major Life Changes: Navigating significant shifts such as divorce, job loss, moving, or becoming a parent.

Grief and Loss: Processing the intense pain following the death of a loved one, a pet, or even the loss of a significant life role. 

‍Personal Growth & Wellness

‍Self-Discovery: Deepening self-awareness, exploring personal identity, and understanding the "blind spots" in one's behavior.

Emotional Regulation: Learning healthy ways to manage intense emotions like anger, irritability, or feeling "emotionally numb".

Physical-Mental Connection: Addressing physical symptoms with psychological roots, such as chronic pain, insomnia, or stress-related stomach issues. 

‍Proactive Care

"Tune-Ups": Using therapy like a "gym for the mind" to maintain well-being and prevent small issues from escalating into crises.

Accountability: Working with an unbiased professional to set and achieve personal goals, such as breaking procrastination habits or improving career performance. 

‍When should I consider therapy?

You might benefit from therapy during a transition if you notice:

• Persistent anxiety or stress

• Difficulty making decisions

• Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or emotionally numb

• Strained relationships or communication challenges

• Struggling to adapt to new roles or responsibilities

Item dTelehealth/online psychotherapy can be an ideal solution for individuals seeking emotional help and guidance, but might be restricted by location, schedule, or transportation issues. Receiving therapy online has increasingly grown in popularity over recent years and has shown to be as effective as traditional in-person therapy for many.  In addition, having the opportunity to access qualified therapists online has made these vital mental health services available, and often more appealing, to thousands of individuals who might not have been able to access or afford treatment in the past. From services offered at discounted rates, to discrete and comfortable solutions for people who feel uncomfortable talking about their issues, online therapy makes counseling more convenient.

Not only is online therapy convenient, for some it is the difference between seeking the needed treatment or not. Online therapy meets you where you are, and can often be the best solution for a particular individual’s situation. Your therapist will provide you with a teletherapy software platform with a secure client portal to conduct regular online therapy sessions, as well as complete any required paperwork and billing information. Many of the new client intake steps are handled online prior to your first session. In addition, future appointment booking, communication, session payment, even treatment plans and progress notes are now managed online for most therapists. These technology integrations have lead to a more efficient experience than ever before. Online therapy has proven to be a convenient and easy-to-access solution for both mental health professionals and their clients.

If you and your therapist have a camera option on your computer, tablet, or smartphone, all you need is an internet connection to facilitate a face-to-face conversation that can help you reach your therapeutic goals. Our video meeting platform is private, and interactions are HIPAA compliant. With flexible scheduling options and a wide range of licensed professionals to choose from, online therapy can help you prioritize your mental well-being.

.

Some of the advantages of online therapy include:

• Easier to access for those with geographical restrictions

• More appealing to people who fear the stigma of seeking out therapy

• Convenient for those with time constraints

• Greater comfort –some people prefer talking to a therapist from the comfort of their own home

• Depending on your state or country, licensure requirements may vary. However, all psychologists and other mental health professionals within the United States must be licensed by the state in which they practice, unless they complete a multi-state interjurisdictional certification like PSYPACT.escription

• Easier to access for those with geographical restrictions

• More appealing to people who fear the stigma of seeking out therapy

• Convenient for those with time constraints

• Greater comfort – some people prefer talking to a therapist from the comfort of their own home

• Depending on your state or country, licensure requirements may vary. However, all psychologists and other mental health professionals within the United States must be licensed by the state in which they practice, unless they complete a multi-state interjurisdictional certification like PSYPACT.Item description

If you are ready to begin your healing journey, call or fill out the contact form. I look forward to hearing from you.

Flexible after-hours and some weekend appointments can often be accommodated via telehealth (For South Carolina residents, in-person sessions are available).

‍Dr. Stein-Marcus is certified to provide telepsychology services to individuals in all PSYPACT approved states. Authorization to Practice Interjurisdictional Psychology (APIT) mobility #.

For the most up-to-date map and list of Psypact states please refer to the map in the link: https://psypact.org/mpage/psypactmap

Most clients feel nervous about starting therapy with a new therapist. Why wouldn’t they? You don’t know me and you have no reason to trust me with your care or with your story. That’s why the first appointment is designed to be low-pressure and focused on helping you get a sense of whether you feel comfortable working with me.

During our initial session, we’ll begin by addressing any questions or concerns you may have, and we’ll discuss what brings you to therapy and what goals you hope to achieve. My primary aim in this first meeting is simply to get to know you. Because I tailor my approach to each individual, understanding your unique experiences and needs is essential. Toward the end of the session, I’ll share my initial impressions and offer a framework for understanding how we can make progress through therapy. I’ll also explain how I believe I might — or might not — be able to help you move toward your goals.

After that, it’s entirely up to you whether you’d like to move forward and schedule another appointment.

If you’re not using insurance and would like an estimate of potential costs, please contact us or click this link to inquire

Meeting at least once a week at the start of therapy will help keep a consistent pace in therapy. Standard sessions are typically between 45-60 minutes in length, but extended sessions (80 minutes) are also available.  The initial session or “intake” could be longer, sometimes up to 90 minutes or broken into two, 45 minute sessions for evaluation.

Psychologists generally draw on one or more theories of psychotherapy.

A theory of psychotherapy acts as a roadmap for psychologists: It guides them through the process of understanding clients and their problems and developing solutions. Methods for which I have certifications or am specially trained to deliver include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A structured, goal-oriented approach that identifies and modifies negative thought patterns and behaviors. It is widely considered the "gold standard" for treating anxiety and depression.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Specifically adapted for intense emotions, this subtype of CBT balances acceptance of current challenges with the development of new skills for emotion regulation.

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): A short-term therapy focusing on relationships and social roles to address emotional distress, particularly effective for depression. 

Gottman Method Couples Therapy

·Solution-Focused Brief Therapy

Meaning Centered Psychotherapy (for cancer patients, survivors and caregivers)

Integrative Therapy: An approach where clinicians intentionally combine tools and theories from multiple modalities to tailor a unique treatment plan for the client.

·Single Session Interventions:

SSIs are structured programs that intentionally involve a single visit, encounter, or interaction with a clinic, provider, or program. There’s no built-in assumption that people can or will return for additional sessions, as there is in most psychotherapies, which helps instill the belief that meaningful change is possible in one session

Rates

Rates per session vary depending on the length of session (usually 45 minutes to 1 hour) and whether an extended intake evaluation is needed. For instance, couples therapy usually requires two or three 60-minute assessment sessions at the start of treatment.  During the free consultation, we will discuss fees as well as various options for payment. 

How to make room for therapy in your budget

Reframing therapy as an essential health investment rather than a discretionary expense is the first step toward prioritizing it financially. Just as you might budget for preventive physical healthcare, aesthetics, massage, fitness/personal trainers, and other wellness-related activities, allocating funds for mental wellness can prevent more costly interventions later and improve overall physical health, quality of life and productivity. 

Does the therapist's background affect the cost?

A therapist's credentials, specialization, and experience directly influence what you'll pay for their services.

Understanding why some psychologists might not accept insurance

Navigating the complexities of healthcare insurance can be a daunting experience, especially when seeking mental health services. Many clients understandably anticipate that psychological services will be covered by their health insurance, just like medical services are. However, it's not uncommon to discover that many psychologists do not accept insurance. This reality can be frustrating for clients seeking mental health care. Here are some of the reasons why:

Confidentiality and privacy

Confidentiality is a cornerstone of psychological practice. When billing through insurance, psychologists must provide diagnostic codes and sometimes further justification for the treatment. This means sharing some details about a client's mental health with a third party, which can be a concern for both the client and the psychologist. Some clients prefer to keep their therapy completely private, which is easier to achieve without involving insurance.

Level of expertise and operating costs

Unfortunately, reimbursement rates set by insurance companies are often drastically lower than the operating costs of providing high-quality psychological services. These rates have not kept pace with the rising costs of practice, nor do they reflect the level of expertise provided.

Clinical autonomy and quality of care

Psychologists highly value their ability to provide the best care possible, tailored to each client's needs. When working with insurance companies, they may face restrictions on the number of sessions and types of services they can offer, potentially compromising the quality of care. Insurers might not cover certain therapeutic approaches or limit the number of sessions in a way that doesn't align with the clinical judgment of the psychologist or the actual needs of the client.

Options for reimbursement:

Out-of-Network Benefits:

For patients with out-of-network benefits, seeing a psychologist who doesn’t accept direct insurance may still be an option. Patients can pay out-of-pocket and later seek reimbursement from their insurance company. Many plans will reimburse patients 60-80% of session fees. Therapists can provide a Superbill or a statement per session that can be submitted to the insurance plan for reimbursement to you (the client) after the session or group of sessions is paid for.

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs): Clients can use these accounts to pay for therapy with pre-tax income.