HOW DO I GET STARTED WITH THERAPY?
One way of starting therapy is to have a brief 15-minute phone consultation with us. During this call, you will have the opportunity to ask any initial questions that you may have about our therapists in order to determine whether you’d like to pursue a face-to-face session. Depending on your decision, we’ll next schedule an “intake” session, where we will further explore the possibility together. Sometimes, the decision to work together is made after several sessions, where you can get a better feel for whether or not treatment is right for you.
HOW LONG CAN I EXPECT EACH SESSION TO LAST?
Sessions last 50 minutes for individuals, and either 50 or 80 minutes for couples and families.
HOW FREQUENTLY WILL I VISIT?
In our initial consultation call, we’ll discuss the schedule that fits your needs best. Typically, we’ll set aside a specific date and time to meet each week. Based on your treatment, a higher frequency of sessions may be advised.
WHAT ARE YOUR AREAS OF PROFICIENCY?
We are uniquely skilled at recognizing and addressing the underlying issues that affect our sense of self, and our ability to be in nourishing relationships with others and ourselves.
WE ENJOY AND ARE PROFICIENT IN WORKING WITH:
~ trauma (complex, developmental, and PTSD)
~ people struggling with feelings of anger, anxiety, depression, grief, and shame
~ highly successful professionals
~ men and men’s issues
~ women’s issues
~ the LGBTQ community
~ non-normative relationships configurations/poly issues
~ sexuality / kink
~ people with a history of negligent or violent caregivers or volatile households
~ individuation and self-actualization
~ dreams
~ addiction & substance abuse
~ psychosis
~ spiritual and lifespan development (aging, mid-life, and other transitions)
Another way to learn more is to visit the “OUR TEAM” page where you can find more information on our journey and experiences.
HOW LONG WILL MY THERAPY CONTINUE?
Your unique factors will influence the length of your treatment. For some, therapy spanning the course of several months is sufficient. For others, a treatment over the course of several years is a better fit.
If, at any time during your treatment, you feel that you are not benefitting from therapy, we invite you to start a conversation with your therapist about that. Those thoughts and feelings are important, and could be helpful in finding a new direction for your therapy.
NO SURPRISES ACT
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost
Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.
~ You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
~ Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.
~ If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.
~ Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
WHAT IS THE HEALING FUNCTION OF THE IMAGINATION?
We honor and support the healing process of the imagination. After all, fantasies, symbols, and myths shape the underlying patterns of individual and collective psychic functioning. By exploring the symbolic world from a psycho-spiritual perspective of soul-making, we can come to understand how the soul creates and expresses itself through images and symbols. The process can lead to a greater sense of self and a healthier, more fulfilling life.
WHY THE JELLYFISH?
Jellyfish often symbolize acceptance, movement, instinct, transparency, power, survival, strength, and an openness to life. Many people find similar themes in their lives as a result of therapy. There is a trust in the currents of life, one of acceptance and surrender. Also, the experience of watching the jellyfish is soothing, meditative, and quite therapeutic.
BOOK AN INITIAL CONSULTATION SESSION
WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT MY RIGHT TO CONFIDENTIALITY?
All communications between us are held in strict confidence, unless you provide express written permission for us to release information to the appropriate parties.
Information discussed during our session will not be disclosed privately to family members without written permission.
If you participate in couples or family therapy, we will not disclose confidential information about your treatment, unless everyone who has participated in the treatment with you has also provided their written authorization.
There are some exceptions to confidentiality in a therapy setting. Therapists are required to report any instances of suspected child or elder care abuse. We are also required to break confidentiality when there is serious danger of physical violence to yourself or another person. You also waive your right to confidentiality in legal proceedings when you base any part of your case on your psychological state of mind.
HOW DO I PAY FOR MY SESSIONS?
Acceptable forms of payment include cash, check, or credit card. We require a valid credit card to be kept on file at all times. If paying by cash or check, payment is expected at the beginning of each session. Your sessions will be automatically charged to the card on file during the night immediately after your session for those using credit cards. During our initial call, we will discuss our current fee structure before therapy begins.
DO YOU ACCEPT INSURANCE?
For insurance purposes, we are considered an out-of-network provider and will provide a monthly invoice for you to submit for reimbursement.
It would be best to determine the exact details of your policy ahead of time, including what benefits are available regarding out-of-network providers.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT MY TREATMENT OR THERAPIST?
Psychotherapy is a joint effort between the patient and the therapist. Progress and success may vary depending upon the particular problems or issues being addressed and many other factors. The clinicians at Brown Therapy Center (Brown Family Therapy, Inc.) intend to provide services that will assist you in reaching your goals. During the therapeutic process, many patients find that they feel worse before they feel better. This experience is generally indicative of a normal course of events. Personal growth and change may be easy and swift at times but may also be slow and frustrating. The patient should address any upset they have regarding their progress in therapy with the therapist. Patients left with unresolved concerns can contact the clinical director for additional support. In addition, listed below is a notice from the Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Notice to Clients
The Board of Behavioral Sciences receives and responds to complaints regarding services provided within the scope of practice of marriage and family therapists. You may contact the board online at www.bbs.ca.gov or by calling (916) 574-7830.
WHAT IS YOUR MEDICAL DISCLAIMER REGARDING THE CONTENT OF YOUR WEBSITE AND BLOG?
We are not, nor are we holding ourselves out to be a doctor/physician, nurse, physician’s assistant, or any other medical professional (“Medical Provider”). We are not, nor are we holding ourselves to be your psychologist, psychiatrist, psychotherapist, or social worker (“Mental Health Provider”). Our blog and website include[s] information and instruction relating to wellness topics, such as relationships, stress, depression, personal growth, etc., collectively considered (“Our Content”).
You acknowledge and agree that the following warnings and disclaimers shall apply to all of Our Content. Before participating in any of our website or blog recommendations, we recommend consulting with a physician or other Medical and Mental Health Provider. Brown Therapy Center is not to be perceived as or relied upon in any way as medical advice or mental health advice. The information provided through the Brown Therapy Center’s website and blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment that can be provided by your physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, therapist, counselor, mental health practitioner, licensed dietitian or nutritionist, or any other licensed or registered health care professional.
Do not use Our Content in place of professional advice given by qualified medical professionals. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking professional advice because of information you have read on our blog or received from us. Always seek the advice of your own Medical Provider and Mental Health Provider regarding any questions or concerns you have about your specific health or before implementing any recommendations or suggestions from our blog. Do not stop taking any medications without speaking to your physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, mental health provider, or other healthcare professional.
If you have or suspect that you have a medical or mental health issue, contact your health care provider promptly. If you know or suspect that you may be pregnant, have an eating disorder, or have any other physical, psychological, emotional or medical, or mental health condition, you must seek the advice of your doctor or other health care provider before using Our Content. We are not providing health care, mental health care, medical or nutrition therapy services, or attempting to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure in any manner whatsoever any physical ailment or any mental or emotional issue, disease, or condition. We are not giving medical, psychological, or religious advice whatsoever.
You acknowledge that you are participating voluntarily in using Brown Therapy Center’s website and blog and that you are solely and personally responsible for your choices, actions, and results, now and in the future. You accept full responsibility for the consequences of your use or non-use of any information provided on or through this website. You agree to use your judgment and due diligence before implementing any idea, suggestion, or recommendation from our website to your life, family, or business.
Our role is to support and assist you in reaching your own goals, but your success depends primarily on your effort, motivation, commitment, and follow-through. We cannot predict, and we do not guarantee that you will attain a particular result, and you accept and understand that results differ for each individual. Each individual’s results depend on their unique background, dedication, desire, motivation, actions, and numerous other factors. You fully agree that there are no guarantees about the specific outcome or results you can expect from using the information you receive on or through this Website or Blog.