Maine Therapy FAQs
Common questions about therapy
Do you accept my insurance?
I am not paneled with any insurance company and am private pay only. I have chosen to not participate with insurance because insurance companies require a diagnosis be given which becomes part of your permanent medical record. While receiving a diagnosis may be helpful sometimes to provide clarity to symptoms, I do not believe it is necessary for effective treatment. Insurance companies also like to have a say in frequency of sessions and longevity of your treatment, even though they are not directly involved in your care. This can directly impact the work if you are not ready to end treatment or are requiring more than what insurance will approve.
If you would like to use your insurance, many insurance companies do provide out of network benefits. I can provide you with a statement that you can submit for partial (or full, depending on your plan) reimbursement. To find out if these benefits apply please call the number on the back of your insurance card and ask about your coverage for out of network outpatient therapy.
What are your rates?
- Initial Session: $160
- Individual Sessions: $125
- Family/Couples: $200
- Additional 30 minutes: $75
For ketamine assisted psychotherapy and more details, please see the Pricing and Packages Page.
How long are sessions?
My sessions are generally 50 minutes in length. If you are interested in longer sessions please discuss this with me.
How long does therapy last?
The length of time you are in therapy has many variables to it and is different for everyone. Some people come to therapy looking for support for a single temporary issue, and others may be looking for longterm support. I find that most people I work with stay in therapy between 4 months to 2 years.
Do you offer telehealth?
Yes! I’m happy to offer both in-person as well as telehealth options. You are more than welcome to move back and forth between these options at your convenience.
What is your cancellation policy?
I ask for 48 hours notice for all appointment cancellations. After 48 hours it becomes very difficult to fill a cancelled spot that has been held for your appointment. Clients are billed the full session fee for all appointments missed or cancelled after 48 hours.
Questions about ketamine therapy
Is ketamine assisted psychotherapy (KAP) safe?
Ketamine has been shown to be overall a very safe medication. There can be mild side effects from the medicine including dizziness, nausea/vomiting, dry mouth, sedation, and in rare cases increase in heart rate or blood pressure. During the screening and prep sessions, we will discuss if you have prior history of side effects from medications, history of HR or BP issues, and discuss ways to mitigate these potential side effects. Any side effects that someone may experience typically resolve within a few hours after the treatment is completed.
What is KAP approved to treat?
KAP is an off-label treatment for depression, anxiety, OCD, processing trauma/grief, acute suicidality, bipolar disorder, disordered eating, and mood disorders.
How many ketamine sessions will I need?
The standard treatment course for ketamine usually falls between 3-6 sessions. A single session may be effective at providing some relief; however, it has been shown that Ketamine works most effectively with a series of sessions.
Are there drawbacks to KAP?
The main drawbacks to KAP are cost and time. KAP is not a treatment that is covered by insurance so it can be a large out of pocket expense, which is why I offer a 3-session package versus the full 6. Each medication session takes 2.5-3 hours, and the lingering impact of the medication can also have an impact on your functioning for the remainder of the day, so the time commitment can also be a factor. You may experience some side effects as well.
How does ketamine work?
Ketamine works by blocking the NMDA receptor in our brain that is responsible for the neurotransmitter called glutamate. Glutamate has a significant impact on regulation of mood. When this receptor is blocked it allows for an increase in neural signaling and connectivity which can lead to improvements in mood and thinking.
Are there more factors I should be aware of?
While very rare, Ketamine does have the risk for abuse if not taken as prescribed. Working with a professional in a controlled setting mitigates this risk substantially and is one reason all use of Ketamine for the augmentation of psychotherapy is supervised in person.
Have more questions?
Contact me for any additional questions! I’m here to help.