Frequently Asked Questions

Fees:

What is your fee?

My fee for is $90 for 50-minute, individual session and $100 for 50-minute, couples/family session. Payment is due at the time of the appointment.

Do you accept insurance reimbursement?

Most insurance plans cover counseling services; however each plan's coverage varies. Check with your insurance company to determine what portion you are responsible for paying.

I accept reimbursement from the following insurance companies:

Tricare

Aetna (EAP, HMO, PPO)

Blue Cross/Blue Shield (HMO & PPO)

New Directions (EAP, HMO)

Cigna (EAP, HMO, PPO)

United Behavioral Health (EAP, HMO)

United Healthcare (HMO, PPO)

Private Healthcare Services

Do I need an authorization for counseling?

Some insurance (and all EAPs) require prior authorization. Clients are responsible for obtaining authorizations from their insurance (or EAP) company. To verify your insurance benefit information, feel free to use the following form:

First Appointment:

How do I schedule an appointment?

Call me at 816-373-6761 (ext 2) for my availability. Please leave a message in my confidential voice mail box, and I will return your call within 24 hours.

What do I need to bring to my first appointment?

Please bring your insurance card (as applicable), authorization number (if required), and payment to the first appointment. And, complete the following forms:

Counseling Services:

Do you counsel children?

I no longer counsel children 12 and under. Instead I work with the parents, who are typically the most motivated to work on their part in the problem. I assume everyone has a part to play in the problem, so I don't need to see the child in order for the problem to get better.

On occasion, I counsel teens 13 and up, when a teen is asking to talk to a counselor. With older children, I work with the parents as much as the teen.

What type of family therapy do you do?

I work mostly with the leaders of the family. I coach people to understand problems in the context of their relationships. In doing so, I provide family therapy for individuals and couples.

How does couples counseling work?

First, I meet with the couple together. Then, I meet with each partner individually. After the initial sessions, you can continue with individual sessions, couples sessions, or both.

Couples counseling works best when each partner works on their part in the problem. Yet, your partner doesn't need to be present for you work on your part, and find new ways to deal with challenging situations.

How does the counseling process work?

As your counselor/coach, I share my thoughts. I help you describe interactions more neutrally (even if each family member isn't present). And, I ask questions to elicit your thinking. The process is designed to invite you to establish new pathways in your thinking and to find choices you never knew you had.

How do I get the most out of counseling/ consultation?

Identify goals you want to work on.

Know what you want to explore in each session.

Observe and experiment between consultations.

Bring your observations & thoughts to the consulting room.

Directions:

Where is your office located?

My office is on the corner of 40 Hwy & Little Blue Parkway in the Independence Business Center. This intersection is 2 stop lights east of 470/291. (Click on the red star for driving directions.)