Info@kstrotbaumlmft.com
560 5th ST NW STE 201 Grand Rapids MI 49504
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you accepting new appointments? How long does a session last?
I am NOT accepting new appointments at this time. I do not have a waitlist as I believe that folks should get into services as soon as they are ready.
Sessions typically are anywhere from 45-50 minutes.
*I am a 100% Telehealth/Teletherapy practice.
Appointments are through my secure, HIPPA compliant Client Portal.
How do I make an appointment?
You can contact me via email (info@kstrotbaumlmft.com) either using the confidential form found on this page and throughout my website or if you prefer, you can send me an email straight from your email. Appointments can also be set via phone (616)-229-0400). I look forward to hearing from you.
What makes your training /license different than other mental health professional licenses?
As an MFT, my training emphasizes the environments or systems around you as an individual, such as primary relationship networks, versus the traditional focus solely on you by other disciplines. These include (but not limited to) family you were raised with, family you married into, and how you view yourself in those systems or how you are believed to be viewed by others in those systems, as well as how the identified stressor (that has you coming to therapy) has been viewed throughout the period it has been present. MFTs view the overall long term wellbeing of an individual as important.
Does my partner or spouse need to attend the first session if I'm seeking couples therapy?
Yes, I require both individuals in the relationship to be present for the first session. This removes the potential for any unbalanced feeling between anyone having not attended the session. I believe it is important to start together, all on the same page, especially as couples therapy is about the interaction & relationship between you as a couple, not as separate individuals.
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a thoroughly researched form of psychotherapy developed by Francine Shapiro for traumatic or disturbing life events. It has been approved by numerous organizations such as the United States Veterans Affairs and the American Psychiatric Association as an effective form of treatment for trauma.
This style of therapy will be a joint discussion between you as the client, and myself as the therapist, to include this in our meetings. It is heavily based in mindfulness and emotional regulation training & development, to process an event identified by you as unsettling. As EMDR's focus is typically on a present or current concern, there is consideration of past experiences triggered or anticipation of future triggering events.
Feel free to check out the additional page dedicated to EMDR treatment
I've never been to therapy before, what can I expect for my first session/meeting?
The first meeting will be more of a meet and greet, a time for you to get a feel for therapy moving forward, not only with me, but for us to develop an understanding of goals and what brings you to therapy. Time will also be allocated for questions regarding the therapeutic process or for documentation (insurance) completion and or clarification.
How much will therapy cost?
The cost of therapy depends on a number of factors including my individual provider fee, frequency of services (how many times you are seen- ie: bi weekly, twice a week) and duration of treatment (ie: 6 months, 1 year) and if you are using insurance benefits or are paying out of pocket (you do not have insurance coverage, decline to use your insurance coverage for sessions, qualify for sliding scale based on your income or I am out of network from your insurance). You can receive an estimate of service costs as described below.
As of January 1, 2022, under Section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act, health care providers and health care facilities are required to inform individuals who are not enrolled in a plan or coverage or a Federal health care program, or not seeking to file a claim with their plan or coverage both orally and in writing of their ability, upon request or at the time of scheduling health care items and services, to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” of expected charges.
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.
Regardless of use of insurance benefits/ lack of coverage / sliding scale based on income or use of insurance, I will provide you with an estimate of your expected cost per session meeting prior to our first meeting. This includes if you need to meet a deductible, co payment or co insurance, sliding scale rate and or my individual provider fee.
