Practice Policies
Session Length and Number
Appointments are scheduled on an individual
basis keeping in mind a client’s needs and their
schedule preferences. An ordinary session is 40-50
minutes in length with you present. After you leave
the session, your therapist will take the time to
write a treatment note; and before your next session,
will review these notes so you actually receive an
hour each session. It is possible to schedule shorter
or longer times if necessary. If finances are a factor,
shorter time spans are the best alternative to dropping
out of therapy. Family sessions and couples sessions
may be
scheduled for 90 minute intervals at a higher charge
and with less frequency so that more may be accomplished
during the session. The number of sessions will vary
with each client. I practice short term solutions
oriented therapy. Therefore, the typical number of
sessions will likely be 3 - 18 sessions. The last
few sessions are often weeks or months apart. Upon
your initial visit, we will discuss how often you
will need to come for scheduled sessions throughout
the course of treatment. Weekly sessions are often
recommended initially in order to develop a good working
relationship with your therapist. In cases of adolescents
who are placed on antidepressant medications, I recommend
they be seen weekly for the first 6 to 8 weeks due
to the black box warnings regarding antidepressant
therapy. These sessions do not have to be with the
therapist alone but can be used in combination with
the medical provider prescribing the medications.
