Frequently Asked Questions

​How do I know if I need therapy?

​The American Psychological Association (APA) suggests you consider a time to see a therapist when something causes distress and interferes with some part of life, particularly when:
  • Thinking about or coping with the issue takes up at least an hour each day
  • ​The issue causes embarrassment or makes you want to avoid others
  • ​The issue has caused your quality of life to decrease
  • ​The issue has negatively affected school, work, or relationships 
  • ​You've made changes in your life or developed habits to cope with the issue 


What are the benefits of therapy? 
When you participate in therapy: 

  • You learn about yourself. Therapy develops insight and awareness into parts of one’s self and can help with empowering actions.
  • Therapy can help with setting realistic goals and making plans to reach those goals.
  • Therapy helps to create more fulfilling, meaningful relationships.
  • Research has shown therapy is linked to more favorable health and emotional wellness.


Overall, therapy can help with life improvements by helping you identify obstacles that might be in the path of what you envision for yourself. 


I am worried about my child, but I am not sure if she/he/they need(s) therapy.

Therapy can help in some situations. Some children or teens don't need therapy, but might benefit from coaching. During your first call to our office, a member of our team will evaluate the difficulties your child is experiencing. We will suggest therapy, coaching or other options that might be suitable. Feel free to give us a call to discuss your situation.
 
What can I anticipate at my first appointment?
Calling and then seeing a therapist for the first time is nerve-wracking. In the first session, the therapist will ask a lot of questions about your life to get to know you and the reasons you are coming to therapy. It is up to you to determine what you want to share and what you want to keep private, but remember that if you are not completely open, your results might not be what you are looking for. It is normal to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you start therapy. After a bit of time, the awkwardness eases for most people. Good therapists will support you and help you feel more seen, understood, and listened to, which helps lower the uneasiness at the start. Feeling you have a good connection with the therapist is important and can take time to determine, but remember, the therapist is working for you. So the first visit is also the start of the process of determining if you feel it is a good fit for you.
These days, you will have the choice of telehealth or in-person therapy. If you come to the office, it is a small space that typically only has a few others waiting to be seen. Sometimes you will be alone in the waiting area. We tend to play white noise machines - as many therapists do. There is not a receptionist, but we have clear signs and your therapist will meet you in the waiting room at your appointment time. When you enter the therapist’s office, there will be a chair for the therapist and a couch or chair for you along with many of the typical things seen in other offices (e.g. desk, books, pictures, etc.). The space is private and quiet. 


How do I schedule an appointment?

Request a therapy appointment online by clicking here. Or, call our office at (484) 509-0499 to schedule an appointment. All NEW clients must call our office to schedule their first appointment. 


What if I need to cancel my appointment? 
If you need to cancel an appointment, please contact our Office Manager, Beth Thomas at 484-509-0499. Please allow 24-hours notice to avoid charges. PLEASE NOTE: Monday appointments must contact our office and cancel by 5 p.m. Friday. For a doctoral level psychologist, we will collect $85 for the first late cancellation and $180 for the second late cancellation. For a master's level therapist, we will collect $75 for the first cancellation and anywhere between $125 to $135 for the second late cancellation (to be determined by your therapists' full fee). A late cancellation will automatically be charged unless you and your clinician both agree that you were unable to attend due to circumstances beyond your control.

 

When is payment for services due?

All fees are due when services are provided. We accept cash, checks, spending account debit cards, and credit and debit cards.

 

Does the practice accept insurance? 

​We are happy to provide receipts and documentation, so you are able to submit to the insurance carrier of your choice. For clients who are insured with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Capital Blue Cross, or UPMC, some of our staff are in-network and will bill these companies directly for session fees. Co-payments and applicable deductibles are due at the time of your session.
PLEASE NOTE:Clients are responsible for knowing their own insurance coverage, including co-pay amounts and deductibles, and updating our office if/when their coverage changes. 

 

We accept the following insurance plans: 
 
AETNA 
CAPITAL BLUE CROSS
HIGHMARK BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD
OPTUM
QUEST
UPMC

Please contact us for more information.