Appointment availability?
Our appointment hours are typically Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 12:00 noon until 7:00 p.m. with the last appointments of the day beginning at 6:00 p.m. Friday's are a little different. We close an hour early on Friday, and, while Herschel maintains a regular patient schedule that day, it is typically an administrative day for Anne. In addition to our office appointments, we facilitate a support group for Bereaved Survivors of Homicide on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month. Even though our evening appointments tend to "fill up" first, you can usually obtain an initial appointment in the afternoon with one of us within two-five working days. Most evening appointments can be scheduled within one-three weeks. Just call our office (407) 277-2719 or e-mail us (hcsash@bellsouth.net for Anne & hcshh@bellsouth.net for Herschel) to find out when the soonest appointment will be available. Occasionally, we do reach the maximum number of patients we can competently and conveniently serve. In that event, we may temporarily suspend taking new patients for a few weeks.
Length of therapy?
Frankly, it depends a lot on you. Your presenting issues, your motivation to change and the goals you hope to accomplish by coming to see one of us will greatly determine the number of visits you will meet with your counselor. Every person's needs are unique. After the first session or two it will be possible to make a better estimate of the length of your therapy.
Both Anne and Herschel have been extensively trained in a variety of "Brief" therapies, which means we don't expect to see you in therapy forever. Our general approach to assisting you in making your life happier is a combination of EMDR, TIR, Cognitive Behavioral, brief solution-focused, emotionally-focused and communications based approaches. We work to help you identify any well meaning, but less effective, coping strategies which may be perpetuating many of your problems, to make changes in both destructive thoughts, unexpressed emotional needs, and counterproductive behaviors that may be undermining your happiness and success, and heal from past or current trauma.
What happens in therapy?
Because psychotherapy is so personal and because your relationship with your therapist is a significant part of any healing process, establishing a comfortable rapport is an important aspect of your first visit. In addition, during your first appointment we will help you identify your goal for coming to therapy as we discuss the issues that prompt your visit and review relevant personal, family and social history.
No matter what issues you are coping with when you come to see us, throughout our therapeutic relationship we hope to provide a supportive environment in which we can empower you to make positive changes in your life or relationships that will make your life better. We will suggest "homework" for you to focus on in the intervening time between visits so that you can make the most effective progress toward accomplishing your goals.
Will you do all of the talking during your sessions? Probably not. Although we are careful listeners, most of the time you won't do all the talking while we sit by passively. We frequently ask questions that help you probe the issues you are struggling with to help you find your own answers. Sometimes we may even refer to books or articles that apply to your needs and share a different approach to help you sort through difficult issues. Trauma therapies may tend to be a little more structured, using specific protocols or outlines. To our clients we are often listeners, frequently teachers and, most of all, supportive friends who help each individual improve the quality of his or her life.
Charges?
The fees for our services are based on the usual, customary and reasonable fee profiles for this area and for the specialty area of our licensure. Our fees are as follows: Initial assessment and intake interview $135--Regular therapy session $120--
Our fee includes any of our time spent on your behalf outside of the therapy hour including record keeping and preparation unless other costs are clearly discussed with you in advance for a special service. It is expected that fees will be paid at the time of service is rendered . If you cancel your appointment without 24 hours advanced notice, or if you fail to keep your appointment a charge of $50 will be applied to your account, for which your insurance is not responsible.
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