FAQs | Therapy with Dr. Amy
FAQs
Where is your office located in Phoenix?
My office is located at 7878 N. 16th Street #130-12 Phoenix, AZ 85020.
What does your office look like?
To see some pictures of my office, check out this out: Photos of Dr. Amy’s Office
Do you do online therapy? Can we meet virtually?
We can meet for online counseling or in-person therapy (or a combination of both). Online therapy (also known as telehealth) takes place using a secure telehealth platform. It’s like Zoom, but it’s HIPAA-compliant and has safeguards designed to keep therapy sessions confidential. Telehealth sessions are super convenient for fitting counseling into a busy life or for those who travel frequently. I am approved by The Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) to practice therapy via telehealth with clients in over 30 states. For a list of US states in which I am approved to practice telehealth, click here.
Who is welcome? Is this a safe place to be real about who I am?
People of all abilities, ethnicities, cultures, body types, sexualities, genders, ages, occupations, relationship structures, martial statuses, and spiritual or atheist beliefs are welcome. Please come to therapy as you are. My intention is to honor your voice in therapy and be with you. I invite you to share your lived experience and be authentically you.
When life hurts, identity is never the problem. The problem is our world’s biases against people who differ from the dominant group in one or more ways. And the discrimination hurts - emotionally, physically, financially, socially, occupationally, and in ways that are hard to even put into words. The effects are deep and not easy to deal with. To change this problem, we need to constantly check our empathy and our thinking - towards others and ourselves. None of us is perfect, but actively analyzing the toxic messages around us and taking actions (even small ones) can change this problem a little at a time - for self and other, for those advocating openly for equality and those who remain quiet, for this generation and the next.
Is what I say in therapy confidential?
All therapists are bound by law to keep your information confidential. There are legal limits to confidentiality for every therapist, like if someone is in danger or a child or elderly person may be experiencing abuse. Therapists also need to follow applicable state and federal laws regarding confidentiality. Every therapist should go over the limitations of confidentiality the first time you talk so you know what to expect. HIPAA Privacy Policies will also be provided to you prior to your first session. Another part of therapy that is not confidential is information disclosed to insurance companies, which is one reason I do not take insurance.
Do you take insurance?
No. Insurance companies require diagnoses to pay for services. Having psychological diagnoses on your record can have unintended consequences for you. To avoid feeling pressured to make an unnecessary diagnosis, I do not take insurance. I really value your confidentiality and want to make sure that your permanent health record does not include unnecessary information or information that may be used in ways you did not intend. However, using insurance to pay for therapy will likely make your out-of-pocket costs lower. Paying out-of-pocket is not feasible for many people, so using insurance for therapy services may be their best option. If you would like to use your insurance, please contact your insurance provider for a list of therapists who take your insurance.
What will therapy cost?
Sessions are $220 per 50-minute session.
There are never any surprises about my rates. However, in accordance with the No Surprises Act (effective January 2022), you will receive a Good Faith Estimate for therapy and counseling services before we begin our work together.
How many therapy sessions will I need?
At the beginning of therapy, most people attend sessions weekly or every two weeks. The number of therapy sessions you attend will be determined collaboratively, but ultimately the length of therapy is your decision. Some people meet their counseling goals in six to twelve sessions, while others can take a year or longer to meet their goals. It is very common for therapy clients who do not meet criteria for a medical diagnosis to develop new goals or alter current goals during ongoing therapy. During the initial phase of therapy (typically the first three sessions), we’ll explore your presenting concerns and develop goals for therapy. The length of therapy will depend upon many factors, including (but not limited to):
your attendance to sessions
what you do between sessions to work toward your goals
your engagement in the therapeutic process during your sessions
the progress you make in therapy
how you feel about your progress
how you feel about your ability to maintain progress upon completion of therapy and whether you would like “booster” sessions after most of your therapeutic work is completed
unexpected life events that can help alleviate or exacerbate progress toward your therapy goals
changes to your therapy goals or new therapy goals that are added after the initial phase of therapy
What if I can’t pay that much?
Therapy requires an investment- not only of financial resources, but also of time and emotional energy. If my rate is not a good match for your finances, don’t worry. There are therapists in our area that have a sliding scale fee, take your insurance, or charge a lower rate. The easiest ways to find a therapist that fit your needs are by searching psychologytoday.com or therapyden.com. You can filter your search for things like therapists who take your insurance, treat specific concerns, or are LGBTQ+ friendly.
What records are you going to keep about our sessions?
We’ll talk about the records I keep very openly. Records involve consent forms and initial paperwork, a service plan (which include the goals we’ll make together), and session notes. If a diagnosis is made, it will also be included in your records. I tend to keep records brief, and transparency in record-keeping is important to me. If you want to see your records, just ask. You are also entitled to request a copy of your records from any medical or mental health provider.
Will I receive a mental health diagnosis?
I will not make a diagnosis unless it is warranted and helpful. I will always discuss a diagnosis with you if one is warranted. Since your insurance will not be billed, a diagnosis is not necessary for our continued sessions. One of the main reason I do not take insurance is to avoid making unnecessary diagnoses.
What psychology degree and license do you have?
I earned a doctorate of psychology (PsyD) in clinical psychology from Arizona School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University Phoenix in 2013. I have been licensed in Arizona as a clinical psychologist since 2015. I am also approved by the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) to provide telehealth therapy in over 30 states.
What is your cancellation policy?
Our time is valuable. Your session time is reserved for you, even if you do not attend it. Sessions must be rescheduled or cancelled 48 hours before the start of your session in order to cancel the session fee.
What if I need help right now?
If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911. If you or a loved one have an urgent matter that you need support for, please use one of the resources below. Most are available 24-hours a day.
Maricopa County Crisis Hotline: 602-222-9444
National Crisis Line: text "HOME" to 741741
Domestic Violence: 1-800-799-7233 or text LOVEIS to 22522
LGBTQIA Hotline: (888) 843-4564
Hate Crime: 480-784-1500
Sexual Assault: 480-736-4949
Substance Abuse (for yourself or a loved one): 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Suicide Prevention or Emotional Distress: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Trauma, Self-Harm, or Recent Loss: 1-800-631-1314
Urgent Psychiatric Care: 602-416-7600
Do you work with children?
I’ve worked with children and families extensively in the past, and I love being around kids. Currently, I do not work with children in individual therapy. Occasionally, children may attend some sessions of Family Therapy or Therapy for Parents. However, most of my current work is with adults. The areas of Child Development and Parenting have been extensively researched in the field of psychology. Therapy for Parents impacts children indirectly because parents gain research-based information to work with their children on the issues their kids are struggling with. Most of the parents I work with are motivated high-achievers, so many learn quickly and apply what they learn about Child Development and Parenting to help their children long after they stop services.
What therapeutic approaches do you use?
Therapy is tailored for each person or relationship. There is no one-size fits all therapeutic approach that can address every concern. The therapeutic relationship (the working alliance between client and therapist) is one of the biggest predictors of success in therapy, regardless of treatment modality or goals for therapy. To strengthen the therapeutic relationship, I use concepts from Person-Centered Therapy. Another approach I frequently use is Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). In Emotionally Focused Therapy, clients process emotions to understand their underlying needs and understand their emotions better. Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) provides an evidence-based framework to help couples and family members feel more connected. Couples Therapy and Premarital Therapy may include concepts and modalities from The Gottman Method, which is designed to help couples connect, deepen intimacy, and improve communication. System Theory is also important to my work with all clients. Systems Theory highlights that it’s almost impossible to understand a person’s struggles without considering them in the context of their relationships (including people attending therapy with them as well as those not attending therapy) and the social systems (like institutional racism or transphobia in our society). Your therapy may include one approach or include a mix of approaches, depending on your goals.
I’m a current client. How do I access the portal?
Hi there. Here you go: