Pagano Counseling, LLC

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does therapy take?

   All treatment is individualized and the complexity of the issues often dictates the length of treatment. Generally, the shortest length of treatment is 3-6 months.

2. What is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy?

   Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is a short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy treatment that takes a hands-on, practical approach to problem-solving. The goal is to change patterns of thinking, which then change behaviors and emotions.

   CBT can be thought of as a combination of psychotherapy and behavioral therapy. Psychotherapy emphasizes the importance of the personal meaning we place on things and how thinking patterns begin in childhood, while Behavioral Therapy pays close attention to the relationship between our problems, our behavior and our thoughts.

   Numerous CBT exercises have been created to intervene with different presenting concerns and include cognitive restructuring, skills training, problem solving, mindfulness and relaxation breathing. Treatment is personalized and customized to the specific needs and personality of each individual.

3. What is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing?

   Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing:, or EMDR, is an integrative psychotherapy approach involving a set of standardized protocols that incorporates elements from many different treatment approaches.

   Treatment is completed using a three pronged approach:

   1. Past memories
   2. Present disturbance
   3. Future actions

   Negative emotions, feelings and behaviors are generally caused by unresolved earlier experiences that are pushing you in the wrong directions, or cause you to feel "stuck". Bilateral stimulation is used (visual, tactile and/or audio) to assist in processing the negative experiences and emotions, thereby allowing what is useful to you from an experience to be learned and stored with appropriate emotions in your brain. The inappropriate emotions, beliefs, and body sensations will be discarded.

   The goal of EMDR therapy is to leave you with the emotions, understanding, and perspectives that will lead to healthy and useful behaviors and interactions.

4. Do you conduct sessions via telephone or Skype?

   Phone check-in sessions are scheduled on an as-needed basis, and are no more than 15 minutes in length. Skype sessions are not being offerred at this time.

5. How long is a therapy session?

   The initial session is 60 minutes. Sessions are scheduled weekly and are 45 minutes to 60 minutes in length. Occasionally there are situations which require more intensive or less intensive treatment.

6. What benefits can I expect from therapy?

   It can be difficult to come in and speak with a stranger about the issues you are struggling with. Therapy provides an objective and non-judgmental environment where you can gain a fresh perspective on situations in your life. The benefits you receive from treatment depends on how well you use the process and put into practice the skills you learn.

   Although each individual will have their own goals, overall, therapy assists you with developing better coping skills for stressful situations; improves your self-esteem/self-confidence; improves your problem solving skills; helps you better understand and appropriately manage your emotions; increases your awareness of your values, beliefs and goals; improves your communication skills in personal and professional relationships.

7. Do you accept insurance?

   It is the patient's responsibility to confirm in-network coverage with their insurance carrier prior to a first appointment. Many plans require deductibles, co-insurance or co-pays, which are the patient's responsibility.

   Billing statements may be provided to the patient for submission to their insurance carrier for reimbursement should their plan allow for out-of-network coverage.

8. Do you conduct family sessions?

   Family members may be invited into a session by the client and therapist in advance. When the client is a minor, the parent/guardian may be asked to attend additional sessions themselves.

9. How do you manage sessions with minor-aged clients?

   Parents or guardians are asked to provide social, academic, family, medical and developmental information prior to or at the first appointment.

   A parent or guardian will generally attend part or all of the first session with the child/teen. During this first session, consent forms must be signed by all clients over 12 years of age, as well as by their parent(s) or guardian(s), and confidentiality contact in between sessions is discussed.

   Parents are also asked to check in briefly with the therapist at the beginning of sessions, and are encouraged to call in advance with any urgent issues.

10. What is your office's cancellation policy?

    24 hours minimum advance notice is required for appointment cancellations.

    There is a fee for appointments that are cancelled less than 24 hours in advance if the appointment cannot be rescheduled within the same calendar week. The cancellation fees are not refundable by any insurance or health savings/flexible spending account.