Thinking About Therapy?
Therapy can help individuals and their families to thrive. Therapy may help to improve the quality of your relationships, decrease feelings of sadness and depression, anxiety and fears, and alleviate stress. Therapy may also help you to cope in a healthy manner following a trauma or loss, manage anger, improve family communication, and increase positive family interactions. As a result of therapy, you may experience an increase in your self-esteem, develop a deeper sense of self, and a more enduring sense of self-acceptance. This may lead to a more satisfying experience that may affect your satisfaction levels both at home and at work.
Children and adolescents may experience the benefits above as well as become more adjusted in the school setting, experience improved relationships with peers, as well as improved coping skills to manage difficult emotions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if therapy will be helpful for me and/or my child?
Therapy is a collaborative experience between you and your therapist. There are many factors that contribute to a successful therapy outcome including the bond you develop with your therapist, the severity of the presenting difficulties and both your motivation level as well as the therapists ability to address your needs. During the first few sessions, you and Dr. Heller will have the opportunity to discuss your concerns, needs and goals in order to live a more fulfilling life.
How do I know who the right therapist is for me?
It’s important to find a therapist with whom you feel comfortable discussing your personal thoughts and feelings. The first session will give you the opportunity to ask questions about the process, discuss past experiences in therapy, and express any concerns that you may have regarding this process.
How long does each session last?
Sessions are 50 minutes in duration. Extended sessions are available as needed.
Are there any risks associated with being in therapy?
Are therapy sessions confidential?
All communications between a patient and a psychologist is generally considered to be confidential and thus, it is protected by law. That means I cannot and will not reveal to anyone what you have discussed, or even the fact that you are in treatment without your permission unless you sign a written HIPPA Authorization form that meets certain legal standards. There are, however, certain very specific situations in which there are exceptions to this, and in which case I am required by law to disclose your confidential information. These exceptions are detailed in my Patient-Psychologist Service Agreement.
You, on the other hand, may inform anyone you wish that you are in treatment, and request that information is shared with whomever you choose. You may revoke that permission in writing at any time.
How long can I expect to be in therapy?
The length of time an individual or family stays in therapy varies according to the nature and severity of the issues being addressed. Therapy is a collaborative process between patient and psychologist. In the first few sessions, we will assess your needs and develop goals for treatment. Once these initials goals are met, we will discuss options such as ending therapy or developing new goals and shifting the focus to new areas for growth.
Can a psychologist prescribe medication?
Psychiatrists or other medical doctors prescribe medication. As part of the initial assessment, we will discuss whether or not you are an appropriate candidate for a referral to a psychiatrist. If you are currently seeing a psychiatrist for medication, Dr. Heller will have you sign a consent so that she may consult with your psychiatrist regarding your ongoing treatment.
What if I need to cancel or change my appointment time?
You may cancel or reschedule an appointment without consequence as long as you provide at least 24 hours notice. Cancellations with less than twenty-four hours notice will be billed at full fee.
Does insurance cover therapy?
Yes, some insurance companies cover psychological services. Deciding whether or not to use your insurance for mental health services is a decision you may want to think about before making a decision.