Mental Health Therapist FAQ | Syracuse NY

FAQ: FAQ

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FAQs

Where are you located?

My office is located at 7854 Oswego Rd near Wetzel Rd in Liverpool, NY. I am offering both in person and telehealth (video) sessions. I am able to offer sessions to anybody located in New York State.

What are your hours?

My standard hours when I offer sessions to clients are Monday-Thursday from 9:30am-3:30pm. Fridays are typically reserved for continuing education and professional growth, networking events and administrative tasks. If you reach out with questions or concerns and I am unavailable, I will try to return calls by the following work day. For a faster response time, please contact me via email at cgmyr@christinagmyr.com . Please call or email to schedule an appointment.

What Are Your Fees?

My fee for service is $140 for a 45 minute session. Accepted forms of payment are all major credit cards (VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover). Cash and checks are also accepted for in person sessions. Some people may opt to pay for services with their Health Savings Accounts if allowable by their insurance providers. Payment is due at the time of service and is generally collected at the end of each session.

Do you accept insurance?

I am considered an out-of-network provider for most insurance plans. I can provide you with a monthly statement that you can submit directly to your insurance company for reimbursement. I encourage you to contact your insurance company prior to your first session to ask about the out-of-network benefits specific to your plan.

What is your cancellation policy?

I believe it is important for us to respect each other's time. Unlike many medical providers who double-book appointments, when you schedule a session with me that time is reserved just for you. I therefore require 24-hour notice to cancel or reschedule any sessions. You will be charged the full session fee of $140 for any missed sessions or sessions canceled with less than 24 hour notice. Please see Informed Consent for Treatment/Policies and Procedures made available to clients through the secure client portal for exceptions to this policy.

What is your late attendance policy?

There may be times when life challenges cause you to log online late for a session. Because our time is valuable and there may be another client scheduled after you, I may not have the luxury of ending a session late. Therefore, if we begin a session late due to your tardiness, your session will still end at the regularly scheduled time and you will be charged the full fee. Please note that shortened sessions my affect reimbursement from your insurance provider so please do your best to arrive on time.

Because your time is also important, I will do my best to start and end our sessions at the agreed upon time. However, in rare instances where another issue causes me to begin late (i.e. a crisis with another client), you will still be provided the entire duration of your scheduled session.

Is therapy right for me?

Participation in therapy is a very personal choice. Therapy can address a variety of problems and symptoms and people choose to come for a number of reasons. Sometimes people come in a state of crisis- something happened in their lives that is causing them distress and they lack the appropriate skills to cope with the situation. Often these people are looking for immediate relief. Others come to therapy to address deep-rooted issues that have impacted their well-being for an extended period of time. Other people may want support as they deal with current or unexpected life transitions, changes or other stressors.

What can I expect during my first session?

If you've never been to therapy before, it is very common to feel nervous or uncertain about what to expect. Our first session will be different than your other sessions. This will be a good opportunity to start getting to know each other and determine if we will be a good fit. Please feel free to share any of your questions or concerns with me and I will do my best to address them.

Before your first session I will ask you to electronically complete some paperwork, which will be made available to you through your secure client portal.

In addition to giving me legal permission to work with you, this will be an opportunity to share information about your concerns, symptoms, history and what you want out of our time together.

During this session, also known as an Intake session, we will spend time getting to know each other, addressing any questions or concerns you may have and discussing your goals for therapy.

Are my therapy sessions confidential?

Yes! In order for therapy to be successful, it is important that there is a feeling of trust, safety and mutual respect. Anything you tell me will remain strictly confidential unless you give me written authorization stating otherwise or I am required to disclose information by law.

Although feeling emotional safety is a priority of mine, I also need to be aware of physical safety. For this reason, laws are put in place to protect the safety of yourself and others.

Exceptions to confidentiality include suspected abuse/neglect of a child, elder or cognitively disabled adult; if I believe you are in danger of harming yourself or somebody else; if a valid court order is issued; for purposes of carrying out payment activities; or when otherwise required by law.

How often will I need to come to therapy?

Most people attend sessions weekly or bi-weekly, although that can be adjusted depending on your schedule and availability, finances, treatment goals and progress. Weekly sessions are ideal with the intention of reducing frequency once things improve.

How long does therapy last?

The length of your treatment depends on your treatment goals and the progress you achieve. Some clients may come for a few months until they get back on track while others may benefit from longer term therapy. Some clients use therapy for a period of time, take a break, and return when they are ready or need to do more work.

Who can I contact in an emergency?

If you are experiencing a psychiatric or medical emergency, please call 911, Contact Community Services at (315) 251-0600 to reach their 24 hour crisis hotline, or go to your nearest hospital emergency room. If you are having suicidal thoughts or making plans to harm yourself, you can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for free 24 hour hotline support.

Can't I just take medication?

It has been well-established that mental and emotional problems cannot be solved by medication only. Whereas medication may provide relief of symptoms in some cases, therapy can address the cause of your struggles as well as any behavioral patterns that may hinder progress. There may be some cases where the addition of medication to therapy may be appropriate and beneficial. Please consult with your medical doctor to determine if this course is right for you.

How do I get started?

Please click here or email cgmyr@christinagmyr.com to schedule an appointment. If I am not available right away, please leave me a message with your name and contact information. For a quicker response, please contact me via email. I look forward to hearing from you!