FAQ’s
- What are your fees? And what forms of payment do you accept?
- Do you accept insurance?
- How long is each session?
- What is the frequency of sessions?
- How many sessions will I need?
- Do you have evening appointments?
- Are you accepting new clients, and how soon can I get an appointment?
- Where are you located?
- What is your philosophical approach? Are you a Christian counselor?
- Do you prescribe medication?
Fees and Payment:
My standard fee per 50 minute session is $100. The fee is the same for the first session and for all subsequent sessions. Check or cash are the usual means of payment, but credit cards can be used by paying online through PayPal. In cases where the budget requires a discount, I’m able to offer something of a discount, though I don’t offer deep discounts or “sliding scale” fees.
Insurance:
Some clients choose to pay “out of pocket” in order to protect their privacy, and some choose to use their health insurance coverage. As long as your policy covers outpatient mental health treatment, most insurance policies will reimburse for my services. In general, most PPOs and insurance companies provide coverage for my services, but if you have HMO coverage, you must go to someone on that HMO’s panel of providers. I am on the Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO panel of providers, among others, but I have chosen not to join the panels of any HMO.
Bear in mind that different insurance plans, even from the same insurance company, often have different rates at which they reimburse for counseling. The only way to know for sure how much your insurance plan will cover is to call the insurance company. Many plans require that you meet your overall medical deductible for that calendar year before they begin reimbursing.
Because of the great variability between insurance plans, my policy is that the client pays the $100 fee for the first session—subject to a refund or a credit as soon as I find out that their insurance company will pay for that session. At the first session I make a copy of the insurance card. Between the first and second session I call the insurance company and verify the specific details of the coverage, so that before the second session the client knows what their “out of pocket” cost will be. From that 2nd session forward, the client pays their part and I submit the claim to their insurance company for the balance of the fee.
Length of Sessions:
A standard session is 50 minutes. Most people find the standard 50 minute session sufficient. Some clients, however, choose to schedule double sessions, and simply pay double the standard fee.
Frequency of sessions:
There is no requirement for any specific frequency. Generally, however, clients start out at a frequency of once a week. As significant progress is made, the frequency can be reduced to twice a month, or even less.
Hours, and Evening Appointments:
Day or evening appointments can usually be made available. I see clients Monday through Friday, from 12:00 noon through 8:00 p.m.
Next Available Appointment:
If a client’s schedule is reasonably flexible, I can usually find an available appointment within several days to a week. The more flexible a client’s schedule is, the sooner their first appointment is likely to be.
Office Location:
The office address is 5505 South Lewis Ave. It is in the Open World Gardens Offices building, at Lewis Ave & 55th Place, on the east side of Lewis.
Philosophical or Religious Approach:
I respect each client’s belief system, and try to be of help within that framework of beliefs. I work well with both religious and non-religious clients. I am not a Christian counselor. I see my role as helping each client increase the quality of his or her life, while respecting his or her belief system. I neither challenge clients’ religious or philosophical beliefs, nor do I attempt to impose upon clients any of my beliefs or philosophies. I have found that the great majority of skills and insights necessary for emotional health, and for harmony in marriage and relationships, can be learned without requiring that clients accept or reject any particular set of theological beliefs.
Medication:
I do not prescribe medication. Only a medical doctor can prescribe medication. When I believe a client can benefit from medication, I may refer him or her to a physician for a medical evaluation, and medication management, to supplement our counseling or therapy. Some clients are eager to try medication, while others are uncomfortable with the idea of taking psychotropic medication. My own view is that medication is a tool and, like many other tools, it can sometimes be helpful, but is certainly not always necessary. It happens that most of my clients are not on psychotropic medications.
Number of Sessions Needed:
There is no honest or ethical way to tell a client in advance how many sessions he or she will need. Many factors combine to determine how quickly progress will be made. In general, the more effort and practice a client expends between sessions, and the more courageous and honest a client is during sessions, the faster the gains will show. And remember: a client is never committed to a series of sessions. Instead, at any point in the counseling or therapy process a client is free to decide not to schedule any further sessions. I advise clients to continue to monitor whether they think they are benefiting from the sessions–and to only schedule a session when they believe it will be of further help.
Michael W. Posner, MSW, LCSW, DCSW
Most Insurance Accepted
Day and Evening Hours
809-4777