Counseling

For new clients, how do I get started/How do I set up my first session?

 

Welcome! If you are interested in doing counseling with me, simply go to the webpage of the service you desire and click the “Book Now” button. For example, if you wish to do marriage counseling, go to the Marriage Counseling webpage and click “Book Now.” It’s that simple!

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From there, you’ll be asked to do three things:

- fill out the online Intake Form,

- choose the day/time you’d like for your first session, and 

- watch the “Welcome” video.

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Do you accept insurance?

 

I prefer to spend 100% of my time helping my clients rather than dealing with insurance companies. So while I do not deal with them directly, I can provide paperwork for you to submit a claim to your insurance company if you'd like. I have been told by several of my clients that they have been reimbursed 70%-80% of the charge towards their out of network deductible (i.e., if they paid me $200 and were reimbursed 80%, the session cost them $40).

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Do you offer a sliding fee scale?

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Yes. For individual counseling and coaching, my hourly rate is $200/hour. If, however, your gross family income is less than $100,000 gross family income annually, then my rate is $180/hour; if less than $75,000 gross family income annually, then my rate is $160/hour.

 

For marriage counseling, my hourly rate is $225/hour. If, however, your gross family income is less than $100,000 gross family income annually, then my rate is $200/hour; if less than $75,000 gross family income annually, then my rate is $180/hour.

 

For family counseling, my hourly rate is $250/hour. If, however, your gross family income is less than $100,000 gross family income annually, then my rate is $225/hour; if less than $75,000 gross family income annually, then my rate is $200/hour.

 

For pre-marriage counseling, my hourly rate is $125/hour which is a very reduced rate already. I do not have a further reduced rate for pre-marital counseling.

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Are all your sessions virtual?

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Yes. All of my sessions are through Zoom unless you'd prefer talking via phone. I have found that many of my clients prefer the ease and ability to access my services from anywhere (their home, office, in their car, etc.) rather than having to drive to an office (or, for some, drive to my city). I realize that some people would prefer in-person and, fortunately, there are others who offer this service.

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How should I prepare for our zoom session?

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Zoom is easy to use. First, download Zoom onto your phone/tablet or log onto Zoom.com via your computer. . Prior to your session, make sure the space you’ll be using is quiet and private (no children, co-workers, barking dogs, etc. disturbing your time). To get maximum bandwidth, you may want to ask others (children, spouse, etc.) to be off of wifi for your hour so that you don’t have wifi glitches. Turn your phone/ipad on “Do Not Disturb” so that you don’t get calls/texts/notifications during your session. Choose a place where you have light in front of you/on your face rather than behind you. When your session is about to start, you can click on the Zoom link in the “confirmation email” (which you received just after booking your session) or the Zoom link in the “reminder email” (which you receive 24 hours before your appt); make sure you are not “muted” and click on the “video” icon (which looks like a videocamera) to turn your video on. You may be in a virtual “waiting room” for a minute or two, then David will start the session with you. As the session wraps up, he will likely give you homework to do; then you can book your next session on the website.

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How often will we meet?

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Frequently, I like to meet with people more frequently at first as most people come in when they are really hurting emotionally; I like to get started quickly, providing rapid relief to their most significant struggles whenever possible. Then we typically meet once a week until they're able to meet once every two or three weeks. My goal is to build you up rapidly to the point at which I am no longer needed.

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Do you accept every client that comes to you?

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We all have a limited amount of time and money. As such, we should both be selective on who we give both to! I am selective on who I give my time to and you should be selective on who you give your time/money to. Throughout the first two to three sessions, we'll check each other out to decide if we're a "good fit" for one another. I tend to take on clients who are willing to listen and learn and are motivated to make improvements in their life. Those who just wish to talk but have no desire to make significant changes in their life (which include doing things in between sessions that they commit to doing ... like take small steps towards changing a habit they wish to change, watching a video to learn new things, talking to someone they are committed to contacting, etc.) will be better served via another therapist.