FAQS
Some common questions about art therapy and/ or counseling:
What is Art Therapy?
Art therapy is an established mental health profession that started in the 1940’s. However the use of art making for healing purposes is as old as humankind, dating back 40,000 years to the oldest cave paintings found in Spain. Making images was and is a way to express our collective and individual human experience. More than this, the act of self-expression provides an active way to externalize our thoughts, feelings and ideas. No special art skills or talents are needed to do this. A trained art therapist can help facilitate therapeutic art making by helping you select, and use art materials in ways that are personally meaningful. The act of creating personal imagery, viewing and talking about it with an art therapist can yield insight and personal growth. For more information please see http://arttherapy.org/upload/whatisarttherapy.pdf
How do I decide if a therapist is a good fit for me?
In general, if you feel comfortable talking to them, that’s a good indicator. It’s also perfectly valid for you to ask a potential therapist questions about their qualifications, counseling specialties, years in practice, treatment approach, etc. After all, you will be working on personal issues and it’s important that you feel you are on the same page. For some more pointers on this see http://www.metanoia.org/choose/index.html
Do I need to be artistic or creative to do art therapy?
No, not at all. As long as you are open to trying it out, I will work with you to decide which art materials and techniques to provide. Art therapists are trained in the therapeutic use of art making for a variety of concerns.
While no special art skills are in any way required, art therapy can also be a very useful tool for artists or other creative people experiencing creative blocks.
How often and how long is each session?
Most therapy sessions last 45-60 minutes, with the average session being 55 minutes long. It is generally recommended that people attend therapy (whether it’s talk or art therapy) on a weekly basis to receive the most continuous benefit. However due to personal responsibilities and other life priorities, this is not always possible, thus other options such as every other week can be arranged.
The duration and course of therapy varies greatly depending on the individual and their reasons for seeking counseling, as well as commitment level, motivation and ability to incorporate gains into daily life, among other factors.
Scheduling
I currently have select daytime availability only, no evenings or weekends. For more info, please contact me here:
If there is a mutually agreeable time we can meet, let’s schedule a phone conversation to talk and gather information about each other that will allow us to decide the next steps going forward.
Payment
Cash, check or major credit card is accepted. Payment is due at the time services are provided. I am happy to offer reduced fees based on income if you do not have insurance. You will need to provide either a current household tax statement or proof of income letter in order for me to determine fees.
Even with insurance, please be aware that you are solely responsible for payment in the event that your insurance does not cover any, all or some of the cost. In some cases, you may have a copayment. Please see next FAQ for more information on what to ask your insurance provider to determine exactly what is covered and what may not be covered.
Insurance
I am currently in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield (PPO and Blue Choice) and Cigna PPO. It is the client’s responsibility to check with their insurance company to determine the level of coverage, whether you have a copayment, or deductible, etc. Some questions to ask your insurance are:
* What is my mental health outpatient therapy coverage?
* Do I need a referral from my primary care provider?
* Is there a limit on the number of sessions covered per calendar year?
* Do I have any deductibles and if so, have they been met?
* Am I covered 100%, and/ or what percentage is covered per session?
*Will I owe a copayment?
It is useful to ask specific questions and take notes.
Cancellations
Whenever possible advance notice of cancellation is expected. I strive to do the same and let you know in advance whenever humanly possible should I need need to cancel or reschedule. That said, there is a minimum $50 fee for sessions missed without providing 24 hour notice (barring life threatening emergency).
