Frequently Asked Questions

What is psychotherapy?

Are there benefits/risks involved with psychotherapy?

What can I expect when I come to my first few sessions?

When do you see clients?

How often would I come to therapy and for how long?

How many sessions would I need to see you?

What are your fees?

Do you accept insurance?

Which forms of payment do you accept?

How do I contact you?

Psychotherapy is not easily described in general statements. It varies depending on the personalities of the therapist and client and the particular problems you bring forward. There are many different methods I may use to deal with the problems that you hope to address. Psychotherapy is not like a medical doctor visit. Instead, it calls for a very active effort on your part. In order for the therapy to be most successful, you will have to work on things we talk about both during our sessions and at home.
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Psychotherapy can have benefits and risks. Since therapy often involves discussing unpleasant aspects of your life, you may experience uncomfortable feelings like sadness, guilt, and anger, frustration, loneliness, and helplessness. On the other hand, psychotherapy has also been shown to have benefits for people who go through it. Therapy often leads to better relationships, solutions to specific problems, and significant reductions in feelings of distress. But there are no guarantees of what you will experience.
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Our first few sessions will involve an evaluation of your needs. By the end of the evaluation, I will be able to offer you some first impressions of what our work will include and a treatment plan to follow, if you decide to continue with therapy, you should evaluate this information along with your own opinions of whether you feel comfortable working with me. Therapy involves a large commitment of time, money, and energy, so you should be very careful about the therapist you select. If you have questions about my procedures, we should discuss them whenever they arise. If your doubts persist, I will be happy to help you set up another meeting with another mental health professional for a second opinion.
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I have office hours at my Issaquah office location on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I see clients from 8 am up until 9 pm. I offer lunch hour appointments for individuals who find this time the most convenient.
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I prefer to see clients once per week for a 45-50 minute session. The initial session is 60 minutes long. I will also negotiate longer sessions if the need arises.
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This varies from person to person and for particular presenting issues. I will be happy to discuss this with you at the outset and throughout the course of treatment.
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I charge $200 for the initial (80 minute) session and $140/session after this. I am also willing to discuss payment plans with individuals who express the need for them.
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I currently accept Premera Blue Cross Health Insurance and will soon be accepting Aetna Health Insurance as well. Otherwise, I see clients on a private pay basis only. I can provide you with a Health Insurance Claim Form that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement (I cannot guarantee reimbursement).
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I accept cash and checks.
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You can reach me by email or phone. My office number is 206-617-2392 and my email address is mariekamiller@gmail.com.
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