Do you take insurance? Which companies?
Yes. I accept Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO insurance for therapy sessions. Coaching sessions are not billable to insurance and are out of pocket.
What are your rates?
For a standard session, the fee is $200. If you are using insurance to pay for therapy, I will submit a claim for sessions and let you know if there are any copays or coinsurance. For coaching, clients are expected to buy packages of sessions. Out of pocket payments can be paid online via my client portal or via other means.
What about a superbill?
For out-of-network therapy clients a superbill can be provided. The paperwork must be submitted by the client.
Are you seeing clients in person or online?
Due to COVID-19, I am seeing clients online over a telehealth video platform called Simple Practice. I plan to continue offering online therapy and coaching for the foreseeable future. Like many providers, before the pandemic, I preferred to see clients in person and was skeptical about online therapy. However, after doing online therapy/coaching for a couple of years, I am pleased to say that it is every bit as effective as in person.
There are many benefits to online therapy and coaching. Online sessions are more accessible for people with busy work schedules and family demands. It has also made my services much more accessible for clients with disabilities and those who live in areas with shortages of mental health providers. Clients save money on gas and parking and get back time they would have spent traveling to the appointment. That is time clients can use for other obligations, self-care, and additional work on their goals.
The telehealth platform I use has made many aspects of therapy and coaching simpler and easier for clients. Simple Practice includes a HIPAA compliant portal where you’ll be able to view upcoming appointments, request new appointments, complete paperwork, pay bills, and message me securely.
How do I know if Dr. Graff would be a good fit as my therapist or coach?
It is critically important that clients feel their therapist or coach is a good fit. I recommend that you take some time thinking about what you want out of therapy or coaching. Think about what features of a provider are important to you. This could include gender, age, expertise, theoretical orientation, experience level, personality, etc. If you’ve been in therapy or coaching before, think about what you found helpful and unhelpful about that experience.
When we have an initial phone call, feel free to ask questions to get a sense of my personality and approach.
Is there an initial trial period of therapy or coaching to see whether it is working?
Yes. The first therapy session is a longer (1.5 hour) evaluation session where I will ask you more questions about your history, the concerns that brought you to therapy, and your goals. By the end of the first session, we will start conceptualizing your concerns and I will begin to present ways that I approach the issues. My aim is for clients to feel deeply understood and to feel a sense of hope that their situation can improve. In the first few sessions, we will continue to flesh out your concerns, clarify the goals, and discuss a tentative timeline for therapy.
After 3 or 4 sessions, most clients feel they have a sense of the direction of therapy and whether it will be a good fit. I will also be attending to whether it feels like a good fit. I want you to feel comfortable and get a lot out of therapy. Occasionally I will recommend clients work with a different therapist who might be a better fit or recommend additional supports that I feel are necessary to get the most benefit from therapy such as medical consults, support groups, etc.
For new coaching clients, I offer a free one-hour initial session. This will be an opportunity for us to explore your goals, discuss my coaching approach, and see if we are a good fit.
What is the typical frequency you see clients?
I typically see therapy clients once a week. This frequency of sessions ensures continuity between the sessions and helps to maximize progress.
Some coaching clients I meet with weekly and others I meet with every 2 or 3 weeks.
How do I make the most progress?
I want to help you progress towards your goals at a good pace. Clients who are motivated, open, and willing to work on their goals outside of the session make faster progress. Keep in mind that therapy and coaching are not just about meeting external goals or finding relief from symptoms.
We will also work on less tangible, internal goals such as self-confidence and self-acceptance, and these processes take time.
What is your personality like? What is it like to work with you?
People describe me as calm, patient, kind, nonjudgmental, and inquisitive. I have a passion for fitness, pop culture, history, traveling, and exploring other cultures. I ask a lot of questions because I want to get to know you in depth, not just the facts but how you feel and experience the world. Doing therapy and coaching is a privilege and I take working with clients very seriously. At the same time, I appreciate humor and will use it with clients when it is appropriate and supports the process. I strive to help you feel comfortable and trust me. I want our sessions to be a safe space where you can get to know yourself in a new way, discover your true value, and find the courage to make the changes you want.
What modalities do you use?
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
- Culturally Sensitive
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Executive Function
- Neuropsychology
- Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
- Compassion Focused
- Integrative Therapy
- Positive Psychology
- Relational Therapy
- Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)
- Strength-Based
- Family/Marital Therapy
How do I get started?
Give me a call or send me a message through the contact form and I will get back to you. I look forward to getting to know you.