Office Forms
Intake Form [PDF]History Form [PDF]
HIPAA Disclosure [PDF]
Psychotherapist-Patient Contract [PDF]
Who will answer my phone calls?
I personally respond to phone calls within 24 hours. If you have an urgent need, I can be paged 24 hours a day. If you have a medical emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency receiving facility. If you have a mental health emergency and need a referral, call the Georgia Crisis and Access Line at 1-800-715-4225
What will my first appointment be like?
Our first meeting will be for approximately 90 minutes. We will discuss any problems or concerns you have. I will obtain some background information and explain my approach in plain English. At the end of the meeting, I will propose a solution-focused action plan. I want you to have all the information you need to help you decide whether I will be a good fit for you.
How long are subsequent sessions after the first meeting?
Most clients schedule meetings that last one or two hours, although we can schedule meetings of any length you request. Health insurance policies cover 45-minute sessions, in which case we can schedule your sessions for that length of time. Most clients prefer to meet on a weekly basis, although some prefer to meet twice weekly for the first few weeks.
What is the difference between counseling and psychotherapy?
The two terms are often used interchangeably because there are many more similarities than differences. Counseling has traditionally focused on helping people overcome obstacles to personal growth so that they achieve optimum development of their personal resources. Psychotherapy has traditionally focused on helping people recover from emotional distress or mental disorders that interfere with healthy functioning. I use techniques that are grounded in the science and theories of both counseling and psychotherapy.
How do I know if I need to be in counseling or therapy?
If you are completely satisfied with your life, satisfied with others around you, and others around you are satisfied with you, then you probably do not need counseling or therapy. If you think your life could be better in some way, then you could probably benefit.
Why should I seek counseling or psychotherapy?
Some people come because they are in crisis. In the process of resolving the crisis, they discover their strengths, learn how to build on them, and develop more resilience. The result is more fulfilling relationships, better coping skills, more successful careers, and greater happiness overall. If you want to keep yourself mentally and emotionally healthy, psychology is a wonderful resource to help you do so.
When should I seek counseling or psychotherapy?
You don't have to wait until a crisis or be psychologically disturbed to seek counseling or therapy. Most people who seek counseling have normal everyday life concerns such as work-related stress or relationship problems. Some people who seek counseling may just be in need of an emotional tune-up.
How will I know if I'm making progress or getting better?
We will identify the goals that you would like to accomplish. We will measure your progress by evaluating attainment toward these goals. You will be the first to know when you are feeling better and functioning better.
How long will I need to be in counseling or therapy?
The length of time depends on the issues that you wish to address and the depth with which you wish to address them. Most clients report feeling better after a few sessions, whereas others continue for longer periods of time because they desire more permanent changes and attainment of increasingly higher goals.
How can I explain to my family and friends that I'm seeing a "shrink"?
You may not need to say anything at all, because talking with a doctor or counselor is not even considered an unusual activity for most people. You can also just say that you've found a doctor who specializes in your concerns, and that you want some new ideas to help you feel better and get more out of life. You want to consult with someone now so that you can be healthier and reach the goals that are important to you.
What is your theoretical orientation?
Although I teach as well as practice several forms of psychotherapy, I prefer a cognitive-behavioral approach that focuses on the specific thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that contribute to positive outcomes. I use an integrated eclectic approach to the extent that I also use various empirically supported techniques that are derived from a variety of theoretical models ranging from psychodynamic to existential to neurolinguistic programming.
What "brand" of psychotherapeutic techniques do you use?
When we look for someone to provide a service, whether we are looking for an automobile mechanic or a vascular surgeon, our decision is not usually based on the brand of tools they use but rather the skill with which they use them. In other words, we look for competence in the expert, because part of competence involves choosing the right tools for the job. For this reason, I use different psychotherapeutic tools depending on the goals to be accomplished.
What is meant by the term cognitive behavioral "homework"?
Therapy is not a process that takes place solely during our meetings. Because it is important that you generalize what you learn in therapy to your everyday life, we will decide on homework assignments that you can work on between sessions. Homework consists of activities such as reading assignments; journaling activities; tracking your moods, thoughts, and behaviors; changing the way you communicate with others; and other beneficial activities.
Is what I share in my psychotherapy sessions confidential?
Your confidentiality is protected by the ethical standards of the American Psychological Association, as well as by state and federal laws. According to Georgia law (OCGA §43-39-16), "The confidential relations and communications between a licensed psychologist and client are placed upon the same basis as those provided by law between attorney and client; and nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require any such privileged communication to be disclosed." The United States Supreme Court has upheld the psychotherapist-patient privilege in Jaffee v. Redmond (WL 315 841 US 1996), noting that all 50 states and the District of Columbia have laws honoring this privilege.
Why see a psychologist rather than another mental health professional?
With an average of seven years of doctoral training, psychologists are known as the educators of the mental health field. They not only practice counseling, but they often teach and conduct research in the field of counseling and psychotherapy. Psychologists have training in the application of learning principles, behavioral theories, personality formation, and normal human development throughout the lifepan.
What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?
Often described as "doctors who listen," psychologists have doctoral degrees in psychology followed by clinical internship and postdoctoral residency training. Although psychologists perform psychological testing and psychotherapy, they also provide relationship counseling, corporate consultations, career coaching, and sports psychology. Psychiatrists have doctoral degrees in medicine followed by internships and residency training in psychiatry, primarily focused on the biological treatment of mental illness using medications.
What if I need to be evaluated for medications or I am already prescribed medications?
Although in some states psychologists prescribe medications, Georgia psychologists are required to undergo training in psychopharmacology as part of license renewal but they do not prescribe medication. In other words, they are licensed to practice psychology---not medicine. I work with several physicians who can provide medical consultation and prescribe medications if needed.
Remember, the unquestioned answer is more dangerous than the unanswered question. If you would like to discuss my answers to your questions, please call me so we can set up a meeting.