To begin therapy you can schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation by calling 801-877-1096 or clicking here to request a consultation appointment. If, during the consultation, it seems we are a good fit we schedule an initial therapy session. Before the scheduled session you will receive an email with information about my practice, client privacy, a questionnaire, directions to my office, and payment information. Completing the paperwork promptly helps therapy get started more efficiently.

The free 15-minute phone consultation is a chance for us to discuss what you want to address in therapy, the process of starting therapy, and to answer any questions you have. There is no obligation to start therapy. If for some reason I am not a good fit for you I will try to direct you to other places to look for a therapist.

The purpose of the first therapy session is for the therapist to get to know your strengths, struggles, and identify areas of growth you want to focus on. Walking in the door to therapy is sometimes the hardest part. When you enter the therapy office you are welcome to choose where you would like to sit. The therapist spends some time getting to know you and shares information about the therapy process. A therapist typically asks a variety of questions to gather information. If there is something you are not comfortable sharing, you don’t have to. Once we have a general understanding of the situation that brings you to therapy, we identify initial areas of focus. At the end of the session the therapist will ask if you want to continue ongoing therapy. If you do, a next appointment is scheduled. If you are not sure or would like time to think about a next session, you are welcome to call later.

Therapy is a personalized space to focus on the areas of growth and difficulty that are relevant to you. In the first couple sessions we identify general areas you want to focus on. Some common issues Dr. Jeffrey works with are: couple communication and conflict, individual identity development, parenting stresses, family conflict, repairing relationships after infidelity, and life transitions.

Talking to someone you don’t know about important personal thoughts, feelings, and experiences should cause a little nervousness. We typically don’t share those things until we trust someone. If there is some nervousness before a therapy session, that’s normal. Most people find that as therapy progresses they feel more comfortable with the therapist and there is less anxiety. You can always talk with your therapist about your feelings about therapy.

No. The first session is focused on getting to know you, your situation, and identifying areas of growth. If at the end of the session you don’t feel we are a good fit for your needs or that you got what you needed, it is fine to let your therapist know that.

Therapy typically starts with one session a week to gather necessary information and build momentum for change. As time goes on and you recognize changes taking place we mutually discuss sessions being spaced out. If you or the therapist feels more or less sessions are needed you can discuss your reasons and decide together.

Dr. Jeffrey is not covered under any medical insurances, but that doesn’t mean your insurance might not cover some of the service you receive. If you want see if your insurance covers out-of-network mental health services, contact your insurance provider and inquire about what your coverage is and what they need to reimburse you. In using out-of-network benefits, the client pays the full session fee at the time of service and then the client submits a superbill (a document the therapist provides outlining the services you received) to your insurance company. Your insurance provider would then reimburse you directly. Since each insurance plan has different coverage, it is important you look into your benefits prior to starting services.

Many insurance plans are starting to cover mental health treatment due to the increasing acceptance that mental health issues significantly impacting health and life. However, in order for an insurance plan to cover treatment you must receive a diagnosis, allow your insurance company to determine if/how much therapy will be allowed, and (although rare) your records can be reviewed by them. Many life situations don’t necessarily fall into a diagnosis category. Insurance companies don’t cover relationship troubles, parenting issues, or communication difficulties. You would have to receive a diagnosis of some sort in those situations to have treatment covered. Additionally, as a solo practitioner, working with insurance companies can be labor intensive for a lower compensation rate.

When you receive the initial paperwork to begin therapy, there is a secure place to input in a credit, debit, or HSA (health savings account) card. After each session the therapist will charge the card on file for the cost of the service. In the SimplePractice Client Portal app you can update your credit card information, see invoices, and pay bills at your convenience.

A GFE is a general estimate of how much services may cost you based on how frequently you are seen. While it is not possible for a therapist to know, in advance, how many psychotherapy sessions may be necessary or appropriate for a given person, this form provides an estimate of the general cost of services provided. Your total cost of services will depend upon the number of psychotherapy sessions you attend, your individual circumstances, and the type and amount of services that are provided to you. Click here for more information.

The full fee for a session is due if you don’t show for session or cancel within 24-hours of your session time. When you schedule a session, that time with the therapist is specifically reserved for you. To avoid having to pay for a session you won’t be able to attend, please cancel more than 24 hours prior to session. This can be done in the text reminder you receive or by calling 801-877-1096. As an alternative to missing a session, you can inquire about changing an in-person appointment to a teletherapy appointment.

When participating in therapy you are paying for a service and the dedicated time held for you. Just like booking a flight, a seat at the theater, or a hotel room, a spot is being held specifically for you. If you don’t show for a flight or cancel a hotel room last minute there is fee. The same is true for therapy. The number of appointments therapists have available to meet with clients is limited and demand for mental health services is high. When time slots are not utilized the client misses out, other potential clients miss out, and the therapist misses out. By canceling 24 hours in advance the therapist has the possibility to utilize that time for another client. Remember that when you complete the initial paperwork you agree to this policy. Feel free to talk to your therapist if you have questions about this policy.