Read Our Frequently Asked Counseling And Care Questions

Counseling is an ongoing series of conversations between the client and the counselor where the goal is to decrease "negative" symptoms and/or increase "positive" symptoms of the client. These conversations can be about problems, goals, strategies, understanding where problems come from, the costs and benefits of changing or staying the same, what gets in the way of changing for the better, and much more.

If you are going through something that is causing you "significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning," you may benefit from counseling. Some people have good support systems. But sometimes even people who want to be supportive might not have the knowledge or skills to really help.

The biggest exception to confidentiality is "potential of harm to self or others." If someone is suicidal or homicidal, or if a child, an elderly person, or a person with a disability is being abused or neglected, a counselor is required by law to report this danger to the appropriate authorities. Other exceptions include legal situations between the counselor and client and legal situations where a judge requires confidential information regarding a client's mental status. Client files are stored securely for seven years after the counseling relationship has ended. 

There is a lot of research that says counseling works. One contributing factor is the counselor-client relationship. If you do not feel it's a good fit, say so and find someone new. 

Be a willing, active participant. Be honest. Ask questions. Say what you're thinking and feeling. Keep a journal. Do your homework. It's not a quick fix, but the more effort you put into it, the more likely you are to see results over time.

Some issues can be addressed in what can be called "brief" or "solution-focused" counseling. Other issues are deeply rooted and require long-term therapy. On average, once weekly sessions for twelve weeks is used as a general guideline for issues that require changes in behavior.

I am currently in network for Aetna, AvMed, Blue Cross, Cigna, Humana, and United. Individual plans vary, however, and it's helpful to call to make sure mental health services are covered by you plan and whether you have a copayment or a deductible and how much that is.

I have a sliding scale fee schedule that takes income and number of dependents into account. It starts at $100 per session/hour and slides down to $50 per session/hour. Please don't hesitate to ask. 

I schedule my counseling sessions from 3pm to 7pm Monday through Thursday and from 10am to 5pm on Fridays. My preferred method of scheduling and other communication is through text message. If at the end of our first session we decide that we are not a good fit, there will be no charge for the initial consult.

If you have a life-threatening emergency, please call 911. If you are having a non-life-threatening crisis and cannot reach me, please call 211 for the Switchboard of Miami Crisis Hotline.

YES!!! :D

Psychotherapists (therapists, counselors) specialize in "talk therapy." THAT'S ME. Psychologists tend to specialize in evaluations and assessments. I DO NOT PERFORM EVALUATIONS or ASSESSMENTS. Psychiatrists tend to specialize in medication management. I DO NOT PRESCRIBE MEDICATION.