DONNA DARLAND,LMFT
FAQ
What can I expect at my first session?
Your first appointment will give you an opportunity to share what brings you to therapy.
We will discuss where you are currently what your goals are for change, and we will develop a plan to help you meet your goals for the future.
We will discuss new strategies, things you may have already tried to improve things on your own and develop an individual plan for moving forward and better manage your situation.
Are the sessions confidential?
Yes, everything we discuss is confidential. This is mandated under the Board of Behavorial Sciences. The therapeutic relationship is built on trust and a supportive, safe environment to grow and learn about yourself. The exceptions to confidentiality or times when I would need to involve a third party include my learning about plans to harm yourself or another person or the abuse of a child or dependent adult.
Do you accept Insurance?
Yes, I accept all PPO insurance as an “out of network” provider and I am also “in network” with many insurance companies. I will bill your insurance for you.
​
You will need to call your insurance and ask:
-
What is your “outpatient mental health care” coverage?
-
Do you need an authorization number?
-
What is your co-pay and/or deductible?
-
How many sessions per year are authorized/allowed?
It is very important if you will be using insurance to call before your first appointment and be sure you clearly understand your plan coverage and the financial cost to you for your sessions.
Do you offer Phone/Online therapy (telehealth)?
Yes! Life is busy. Sometimes it can be difficult to carve out more time to be seen in person. If you choose this option, we can set up video sessions on a HIPAA secured video platform.
How long are the sessions and how long will I be in therapy?
A session lasts 45-50 minutes, however some clients request longer sessions. This
will need to be discussed and arranged in advance. Usually weekly sessions are best
but some clients who are in crisis or extreme distress may need sessions more
frequently. In addition, some clients prefer bi-weekly sessions. We will develop a
treatment plan which will include frequency of meeting within the first 1-3 sessions.
During the time between sessions, it will be beneficial to think about and process what
was discussed, personal goals, and issues you’d like to work on in the following
sessions. At times, you may be asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy
sessions (homework!) which may include such things as reading a relevant book, listening to various podcasts, journaling, etc. For therapy to be beneficial, you will want to be an active participant, both inside and outside the sessions.
How do I get started?
Contact me today to schedule a free 15 minute phone consultation to see if we would be a good fit. Once we have got to know each other, we will schedule your first appointment. I will then send you a secure “new client portal” where you will complete all the necessary mandated forms to get started.