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Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About My Practice
How can I get more information about your services?
You can book an initial consultation by sending me an email here.
How can I schedule an appointment?
How long is an individual psychotherapy session?
Psychotherapy sessions are typically 45 minutes.
How long will individual psychotherapy treatment last?
Individual psychotherapy treatment programs vary in length depending on each individual patient's treatment goals and clinical needs.
How does psychotherapy apply to people from different cultural backgrounds?
As a bi-cultural and bi-lingual clinician, I am deeply aware of the role that different cultures play in shaping a person’s identity and family expectations. It is, therefore, essential to learn and address any different cultural expectations that can affect your recovery.
How can couple's counseling help my marriage?
Couples counseling can provide a supportive environment where you and your partner can express your feelings and concerns openly. It helps you improve communication skills, fostering a deeper understanding of each other's needs. Additionally, therapy can assist in resolving conflicts and finding constructive solutions to ongoing problems. Counseling can strengthen the bond between partners, leading to a healthier and more fulfilling marriage.
What is Trauma therapy and how does it work?
Trauma therapy is a form of treatment designed to help individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences. It often involves techniques such as cognitive-behavioral strategies and mindfulness practices to address the emotional and psychological effects of trauma. The goal is to empower you to regain control over your life, develop coping strategies, and foster a sense of safety and well-being. You can explore their feelings, gain insights, and work towards recovery through a supportive therapeutic relationship.
How long Adjustment based psychotherapy last?
My treatment approach is short-term, solution-focused, and usually lasts from 3 to 6 months. However, if it is clinically appropriate, individual psychotherapy can continue beyond this time. You and your family can decide what format of therapy would work best for you. The advantages of family participation in therapy will be psychoeducation about the recovery process, collaborative goal setting, caregiver training, and improving family dynamics around dealing with illness.
What would be the benefits of Neuropsychological testing?
Neuropsychological testing offers several benefits, including a comprehensive assessment of your cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. It helps you to identify specific areas of strength and weakness, guiding treatment plans for your neurological conditions or cognitive impairments. Additionally, these tests can assist in monitoring your progress over time and making informed decisions about educational or therapeutic interventions. Overall, neuropsychological testing provides valuable insights that support better outcomes when you are facing cognitive challenges.
Billing and Policy Questions
How much does neuropsychology testing cost?
I bill per session, and the scoring, analysis, and report writing for these assessments are billed separately. These costs vary depending on the test administered, but they will always be discussed and approved by you in advance.
How much does individual psychotherapy cost?
I bill per session and charge a sliding scale based on the patient's ability to pay.
Do you take insurance?
I accept Lyra but I don't accept any other insurances or workers' compensation. I am happy to provide you with a diagnosis and superbill at the end of each month for you to submit to your insurance for reimbursement as an out-of-network provider. My services are eligible to be paid from Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).
What is your cancellation policy?
If you need to cancel an appointment, please provide 24-hour notice before the appointment. Otherwise, a $50 cancellation fee will be charged before the next appointment.
Questions about Brain Injury and Recovery
How long would it take for me to get better?
Everyone’s recovery process will be different due to the individual nature of the TBI or illness and other factors but most people will see the most improvement in the first 6 months to a year with more gradual progress after those times. As the brain heals itself, you will see that some of your symptoms improve faster than others and you will be able to tolerate more activities. Timely, comprehensive assessment and rehabilitation can often speed and strengthen this recovery process.
Why does my family member seem to have changed in personality after TBI or brain illness?
Personality change can be caused by several different reasons. After TBI, physiological changes in the brain can trigger negative personality changes. Cognitive difficulties in perception, thinking speed, and memory can also distort incoming information, making your family members react negatively, while impairment in the frontal lobe can lower a person’s ability to regulate one’s emotions and be self-aware. Emotional reaction to the current medical situation may be another cause. It is totally natural for your family member to be traumatized and stressed by what happened to him or her while coping with reduced cognitive abilities can be a difficult process. Finally, ongoing physical symptoms as well as possible medicational side effects can be also a contributing factor and can cause your family member to be overwhelmed by chronic pain or fatigue.
Here are links to two good resources for understanding these issues in more depth:
Why do I get so tired after visiting crowded places?
Brain injury can cause structural changes in the brain which can affect how a person processes information and blocks out background stimulation. As a result, you may get more tired or overwhelmed after attending large social gatherings or crowded places due to a reduced ability to filter and process information effectively.
Here is a link to a good resource that discusses this fatigue in more depth:
Why does my family member appear to not care about my feelings anymore?
Traumatic brain injury can cause difficulties with a person’s ability to perceive and process information correctly. Apathy and difficulty reading facial cues are common symptoms of brain injury. They often create interpersonal difficulties between the patient and the family members when the family does not realize that apathy and indifference are because of brain injury rather than being intentionally uncaring.
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Here are links to two good resources for understanding this challenge in more depth:
1. Apathy Following Traumatic Brain Injury
2. Living in a Funk: Depression and Apathy After Brain Injury
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