frequently asked questions
01
What kind of problems do you treat?
Psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic psychotherapy have been shown to be very effective in a broad range of conditions. Patients seeking my help frequently suffer from a variety of symptoms which may include anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, feelings of inadequacy, marital discord, appetite and sleep difficulties, or loss of sexual desire. I do not treat children or patients under 18 years of age.
02
What can I expect in my first session?
A good initial consultation, like psychoanalytic treatment itself, requires tact and interest as well as timeliness. First sessions are usually arranged within the first 48 hours. We will meet in my office and you will be invited to discuss your concerns. Normally, at the end of the first hour, I will summarize my understanding of the central areas of conflict. I will likely want to see you in the following few days to reinforce a reflective process that has already begun and to develop a richer sense of your life story. Emergent situations will never be tabled.
03
I worry that I will be trapped into seeing you. If I feel uncomfortable, will I feel free to go elsewhere?
Almost everyone who begins treatment has significant and important fears. If I sense uncertainty or emotional reluctance, I will not hesitate to invite you to voice your concerns in detail. A treatment founded in significant mistrust is very likely destined to failure unless the underlying anxieties and apprehensions of each new patient are fully explored and assuaged. When, and if we are at a rare impasse, I will arrange a referral/consultation that may prove more fitting or helpful.
04
You indicate that you prescribe medicine and therapy. Why is this important?
My experience using antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications and sleep preparations allows me to help patients who require immediate relief. Judicious medication use can grant time to properly evaluate a patient’s needs and allow for the unfolding of a treatment which then can allow for the gradual cessation of medication.
05
You mentioned a patient should be seen twice-a-week at a minimum. Why?
The once-a-week hour is by necessity filled with “catching up.” There is little opportunity to link current matters to longer life trends, or to demonstrate the emotional repetitions that emerge in the relationship between patient and analyst. Once-a-week treatment is, in my opinion, something to be avoided because it has the potential of wasting time and money while providing only an illusion of care.
06
What is your fee per hour?
My standard hourly rate is $400 for a 45 minute session.
