+ What is the benefit of working with Palm Cove Psychology Group?

Engaging in therapy and assessment requires clients to make a significant investment in time, money, and emotional energy, and we believe clients should be given the best chance possible at a positive outcome. We study the scientific literature to ensure we understand what treatments tend to work best for people with various types of problems, and then we administer those gold-standard interventions and assessments to our clients to maximize their chances of improving their overall functioning and level of happiness. Many behavioral health providers at other clinics offer long-term, "supportive" counseling in which clients can come in to vent about their problems, but research has not shown those types of approaches to result in predictable improvements. Palm Cove Psychology Group, instead, focuses on skill-based, time-limited interventions that have been shown to work more reliably among clients in research studies. We track your progress over the course of treatment to ensure you're actually improving in the areas that are important to you. We do all of this while attending carefully to the client-therapist relationship to ensure that your personal values and goals are being respected and acknowledged.

+ Are my concerns “serious” enough to seek professional help?

Many problems can be improved by re-doubling efforts or by turning to self-help approaches; however, sometimes that is not enough. Emotional and behavioral problems in yourself or a family member can be challenging and even overwhelming, and it’s hard to know who to trust for advice. Before we embark on any intervention, Palm Cove Psychology Group will assist you with decisions about seeking professional help by clarifying the nature of your presenting concerns and by providing you with information about what we know about the usefulness of treatment. All treatment plans are developed in collaboration with our clients. If you’re thinking professional help might be useful, give us a call and we can help you decide how to move forward.

+ Do I need an assessment before I begin therapy?

Some clients have a pretty good idea about the type of mental health problem(s) they are experiencing. For instance, they might have noticed a persistent sad mood and withdrawn behavior which makes them recognize they are dealing with depression. For those types of clients, starting therapy right away might be a good plan. Other clients call our office feeling very overwhelmed from a mixture of things and they don’t yet have a sense as to what is actually causing their problems. For instance, they might be experiencing meltdowns at home, suspensions from school, and thoughts of self-harm but not be sure why. For those types of clients, starting with an assessment can be helpful because the assessment results can help guide subsequent treatment/therapy.

+ How do I find a therapist?

Picking a therapist is a very personal decision. There is no “right” therapist for every person. We recommend that you talk with the therapist directly to answer any questions you have, as well as to get a feel for their personality and style. Research has consistently shown that the relationship between a client and his/her therapist is the most important aspect to allow for the client to have a positive therapeutic experience. It is imperative that you believe that you feel comfortable with your therapist, that you believe the therapist has something to offer you, and that you are willing to be influenced and challenged by the therapist. You will be sharing vulnerable aspects of yourself such that trust becomes crucial. This is why Palm Cove Psychology Group offers a free 20-minute phone consultation. Below are some suggested questions to consider for yourself and the therapist.

1. What are the therapist’s credentials?
2. How does the therapist work with ____ (whatever issue you are dealing with)? This is called a “theoretical orientation.” Here at Palm Cove Psychology Group we utilize cognitive-behavioral therapy.
3. How much experience does the therapist have?
4. Do you have a preference for a male or female?
5. Is it important to you that a therapist has direct experience with the issue you are struggling with?
6. If you are seeking therapy for your child or family, how much experience does the therapist have working with children or families? There is a specific skill set to working with families and children and not all therapists have advanced training and experience with these clients.
7. When talking with the therapist, does the therapist seem open to being questioned or giving you direct answers to your questions? Does the therapist seem interested in you?

Other factors that may play a part in your decision are costs, location, availability, and insurance coverage.

+ How do I make an appointment?

You may call our office (561-903-0078), email us (info@palmcovepsychology.com), or use our online contact form. Someone will get back to you as soon as possible but no later than the end of the next business day. We will talk with you about the main reasons you are seeking treatment and ask you a few other questions so we can be sure to suit your needs. If it’s decided that we are a good fit, then an intake evaluation can be scheduled at that time.

+ How many visits will I need to resolve my problems?

This question, unfortunately, cannot be answered with a simple response. The answer depends on many variables, ranging from your goals for therapy, your particular situation, how much effort you put into therapy (both in-session and between sessions), and the length of your appointments (standard sessions are 45-50 minutes in length).

The research has been consistent that when clients fully engage in therapy by regularly doing homework, focusing on the sessions, committing to discussing unpleasant emotions, and implementing the skills that are taught, clients are able to get better quicker. In some instances, Palm Cove Psychology Group therapists have been able to be helpful in a little as a few sessions, whereas the majority of clients have continued with us for much longer.

Although it is difficult to predict exactly how many appointments you will need up front, your therapist at Palm Cove Psychology Group would be happy to discuss this with you as your therapy gets underway. Initially, clients are recommended to be seen once a week. As soon as they are feeling better and seem ready to start tapering therapy, clients might try therapy once every two weeks, with an eye towards wrapping up. This more gradual tapering of sessions allows clients the opportunity to practice the skills they've learned while still in therapy.

+ What happens during the first appointment?

During the first session, you will need to complete several forms. Please be sure to arrive at least 15-20 minutes in advance of your appointment to allow ample time to complete this important information. You may also complete them online or download the documents and bring them to your appointment.

For the first few sessions, your therapist will ask about your problems and collect a thorough mental health history. At your request, your therapist will provide information on your diagnosis and evidence-based treatments. S/he will also answer questions you have about cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and the process of therapy. You and your therapist will come to a shared understanding of your clinical needs and set goals.

+ What is a typical therapy session like?

Depending on your goals, difficulties, and strengths, you and your therapist will devise a treatment plan that meets your needs and promotes overall positive health and well-being. Working collaboratively, your therapist will invite you to ask questions and solicit feedback on his/her understanding of your difficulties. At Palm Cove Psychology Group, our therapists walk the line between challenging you to be your best self, while empathically appreciating how difficult this can be at times.

A typical session with your therapist might involve any of the following: identifying and challenging core beliefs of who you think you are or how the world works; cultivating mindful awareness of your senses, thoughts, or emotions through a guided exercise; articulating important personal values and the degree to which you embody them; or discussing our therapeutic relationship, with the understanding that some of your interpersonal assumptions might apply towards your therapist.

+ How often should I meet with my therapist?

In the beginning, you will ideally meet with your therapist once per week. This gives you a chance to put into practice what you are learning in the week after the session. In some cases, the sessions are less frequent. However, it is generally more time and cost effective to meet on a weekly basis for at least the first several sessions to develop some momentum.

+ Is there homework between sessions?

The most important, positive changes that you will make in your life will occur in your everyday experiences outside of the therapy office. To help you make these "real life" changes, your therapist will help you design homework assignments tailored to meeting your treatment goals. These assignments will show you how to apply the ideas and skills you've learned in therapy between sessions.

There are many types of homework assignments. Some include learning how to observe and measure your own thoughts, feelings, and actions so you can improve your awareness of your strengths and weaknesses. Other assignments ask you to change your ways of thinking about certain matters so that you feel more hopeful and productive. Some projects involve reading, to add to your knowledge about your difficulties and how to improve your life, while others might involve listening to an audiotape of your session or rereading your notes to review what has been discussed.

Many of our clients especially appreciate the assignments called behavioral experiments. Clients try a new approach to an old problem and document the results, often learning that doing things that may be new, challenging, or even scary can result in dramatic changes in their lives.

Homework is not required, but it will help your progress in therapy if you give it a try. You will never be criticized for not doing the homework or for having difficulty with it. It is your therapist's responsibility to create an environment in which you will feel free to explore and learn and in which you will not have to worry about being judged.

+ How can I make the best use of therapy?

One way is to ask your therapist how you might supplement your psychotherapy with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) readings, workbooks, client pamphlets, etc. A second way is to prepare carefully for each session, thinking about what you learned in the previous session, and jotting down what you want to discuss in the next session.

A third way to maximize therapy is to make sure that you bring the therapy sessions into your everyday life. A good way of doing this is by taking notes during the session or writing a summary of important ideas or insights at the end. These notes can then be referenced during the week as needed. It is also helpful to spend time thinking about what would be helpful for you to do during the coming week and to try to predict what difficulties you might have in doing these assignments so that your therapist can help you before you leave the session.

+ What about medication vs. psychotherapy?

It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems, and the pain they cause, cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom(s), therapy addresses the cause(s) of your distress and the behavioral patterns that curb your progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness. Working with your medical doctor, you can determine what's best for you and, in some cases, a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action.

+ What are your self-pay fees?

Palm Cove Psychology Group’s fees are comparable with therapists in the area with similar experience. Call now to schedule a consultation: (561) 903-0078.

 Initial consultation/evaluation: $250 (1 hour to 1.5 hours)  45-50-minute individual therapy session: $160  Fees for sessions of greater length to be determined and discussed on an individual basis

For psychological assessments, please contact us to talk about our rates. Palm Cove Psychology Group tailors our psychological assessments to each client’s individual needs. Please contact us to speak with us about our assessment rates.

+ What is your billing and payment policy

Clients may pay by cash, check, or credit card at the beginning of each session. Checks are made payable to Palm Cove Psychology Group, PLLC. Payment is due at the time of your session. Payment schedules for other professional services will be agreed upon when they are requested.

+ Do you take insurance?

In-network: Palm Cove Psychology Group is an in-network provider for Cigna, BlueCross BlueShield (Florida Blue), and United Healthcare. We do not participate with Medicaid or Medicare.

Out-of-network: We work with clients insured by many insurance companies on an out-of-network basis. Our licenses, training, and education qualify for out-of-network reimbursement. This means that most insurance plans allowing members to go out-of-network for mental health will reimburse you for our work, according to the payments they allow. Check the nature of your insurance and what it will reimburse you.

+ What if you’re not an In-Network provider with my insurance company?

If Palm Cove Psychology Group is not an In-Network provider with your insurance carrier and you have a PPO Plan, you will need to call the number on the back of your card and ask if you have any out-of-network benefits. In this case, you will be expected to pay our full rate out of pocket at the beginning of each session, and we will provide you with documentation that you can then submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. Please verify that you have out-of-network benefits before scheduling so as to avoid any unexpected financial strain. At times, you will have a coinsurance rate which may be higher than your copay. Your insurance company will pay the difference. Depending on your carrier, reimbursements are usually received between 2-3 weeks after submission.

+ Are there any risks to using my health insurance benefits to help cover some of the cost of therapy?

The short answer is yes. Some people choose to pay for the cost of therapy themselves even if their insurance plans cover it, because they don’t want their mental health treatment added to their permanent medical record. In order for therapy to be covered by insurance, you will receive a mental health diagnosis. Your insurance company requires this diagnosis for reimbursement, and they also have access to your medical records upon request. Some life insurance policies use this insurance information for determining your eligibility for coverage after assigning a rating to determine your “risk.”

+ How do I get help outside of my session?

Although your therapist is often not immediately available by telephone, s/he routinely checks both voicemail and email during regular business hours. When we are not available, the telephone is answered by a confidential voicemail. Your therapist will make every effort to return your call on the same day you make it but no later than by the end of the next business day. If you are difficult to reach, please indicate some times when you will be available. If you need to speak with someone immediately, free crisis counseling is available 24-hours a day in Palm Beach County by calling 2-1-1. If you experience a life-threatening psychological emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest hospital emergency room and request to be seen by a mental health professional.

+ Is anything I say confidential?

One of the ‘active ingredients’ of psychotherapy is the freedom to discuss anything, secure in the knowledge that your privacy will be protected. All information about a client’s psychotherapy is confidential, except in situations where there is a threat or danger to life, including neglect or abuse of a child or an elderly person, and in other limited circumstances as defined by law.

Your therapist may occasionally find it helpful to consult about a case with another professional. In such consultations, your therapist will make every effort to avoid revealing the identity of the client. The consultant is, of course, also legally bound to keep the information confidential. Unless you object, your therapist will not tell you about these consultations unless s/he feels that it is important to your work together.

With these exceptions, this practice’s privacy policy prohibits the release of any information concerning a client to anyone without the client’s explicit and informed written authorization.