You’ve already started by taking the time to read my website and assess whether my areas of expertise, hours, and fees work for you. The next step is to set up an initial appointment. In this appointment, I will ask a lot of questions to gain an understanding of you and the difficulties that are bringing you in for therapy.  By the end of this meeting, I will tell you if I believe I can be helpful to you and how I believe psychotherapy can assist you in meeting your goals. It is also essential for you to determine whether you feel comfortable with my therapeutic style and find it to be a good fit for you.

For therapy to be effective, you must feel comfortable sharing about yourself and your experiences. I am committed to providing a supportive and safe environment for you, and everything we discuss will stay between us. If you would like someone (a family member or other treatment professional) to be able to talk with me, you will need to sign a written consent. There are a few exceptions to this. These include imminent danger to yourself, others, or abuse of a child. We will discuss confidentiality and the limits of confidentiality in more detail in your first session, and any questions or concerns that you might have about it can be addressed.

Each session is 45 minutes in length.

This varies from person to person.  Just as each person has unique life experiences, each client will have an individualized treatment plan that guides therapy. The length of treatment is determined by various factors, including how serious, chronic, and debilitating the problem(s) are for the individual. Other factors include the strength of the client’s support system, self-care skills, frequency of sessions, and how intensely the client is interested in working.

It is untrue that only those with a mental illness can benefit from therapy. All of us experience difficulties as we go through life, each of which poses challenges and possible pitfalls. Therapy can help prevent small difficulties from becoming more serious and provide the support necessary to make changes and adjustments in order to enjoy a fulfilling life. Therapy can also improve resilience to future life challenges, optimize work performance, and facilitate personal growth.

Dr. Lager is an out of network provider for all insurance companies. Most insurance companies
have a mental health benefit, and will reimburse you for a portion of your costs if you see an
out of network provider.  Check with your insurance carrier to see what services are covered. If
your insurance company does not cover mental health benefits, Dr. Lager will be happy to
discuss payment alternatives with you.

Dr. Lager does not accept credit cards. Check or cash only.