FAQ

How much does therapy cost?

The fee for a 50-60 minute session is $150.  We charge the same fee for individual, couples, and family therapy.  We offer a sliding scale (reduced fee based on assets, household income and number of household members) for those who qualify.  If you feel you may qualify for a reduction or are unable to afford the fee, please inquire about a reduction with your therapist.  If you do not qualify, but are still struggling with cash-flow issues, please ask about our flexible payment plan.  Finances should never be the reason you do not receive the care you deserve.

Should I bring anything with me to my first session?

Please bring a list of any medication you/your family members are taking and the name and telephone number of the prescribing physician.  Paperwork will be provided at the first session or save time by downloading forms from the contact page.  The paperwork is brief and takes 10-15 minutes to complete.  We do ask that you provide a credit/debit card for our files, regardless of how you wish to pay for the session.  All fees are due at the time services are provided.   We accept cash, check, credit/debit card, and Flex Cards (through your employee flexible medical spending account).

How often will we meet and how long will therapy take?

This answer varies depending the nature of the issue, and if it is a short-term goal or long-term goal that leads you to therapy. Most people come once a week, but schedules are flexible based on goals, intensity of problem, progress in therapy and scheduling issues.  We focus on helping you achieve your particular goals.  You and your therapist will discuss what is right for you.

Do you see clients for longer than one hour?

The typical session is 50 minutes.  Occasionally, clients may schedule longer sessions, as needed. Please notify the therapist if you would like to schedule an extended session. Fees will be adjusted based on the duration of the session.  For highly motivated clients, Intensives are available for either couples counseling or depression/anxiety.

Do you accept insurance?

Dr. Coffee is considered “Out of Network” for all networks other than Cigna.  This means that we currently do not contract directly with insurance companies. There are two primary reasons for this.  The first is that most insurance companies typically do not cover couples and/or family counseling (please check with your insurance company, if desired).  The second is that we wish to protect your privacy and the information you provide.  Insurance companies have access to your files and all the information contained therein.  They also require a mental illness diagnosis that follows you from insurance company to insurance company for the rest of your life.

If you do wish to seek reimbursement through your insurance company, please speak to your therapist about getting a detailed receipt, called a Superbill.  This will require the therapist to provide a mental illness diagnosis, as well as dates of services and fees paid. You will submit this to your insurance company and any available benefits will be reimbursed and sent directly to you or applied to your deductible.  Payment in the meantime can be made by credit card or a payment plan if cash-flow is a concern.

Is therapy confidential?

Yes. The law specifically protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and a psychotherapist. Information is not disclosed without written permission. However, there are specific exceptions to this rule such as suspected child abuse or disabled adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately to protect vulnerable persons.

The therapist will make every effort to enlist the client’s cooperation in insuring their safety. If they do not cooperate, further measures may be taken without their permission in order to ensure their safety.

If Dr. Coffee sees you in public, she will not acknowledge knowing you unless you initiate contact.  Confidentiality is yours to breach, not hers (besides exceptions such as those noted above).  Please see the HIPAA Privacy Practices document for further exceptions.