AIDA THERAPY-The Dupont Circle Therapy Group
Rob Williams Telephone: 202-330-5390 Dupont Circle Metro Fax: 202-204-6058 |
How do I get started? People who are new to psychotherapy often have mixed feelings about contacting a therapist, which sometimes makes it difficult to seek help. I understand this, and work toward making the early stages of therapy comfortable and supportive. Initial consultations offer a chance to assess the individual’s concerns and confirm his or her compatibility with the therapist. We can talk on the phone first or you can come in for a consultation. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have that will help you decide if I am the right person to assist you in meeting the challenges you are encountering. If you decide that I am not the right therapist for you, there is no charge for the visit.
How do I make an appointment? When you call or email for an appointment, please leave your name, phone number and the best times to reach you. I will return your call promptly. If I am not able to take your call, I will return your call within 24 hours. If this is an emergency, go directly to the nearest hospital emergency room. A consultation usually will be arranged within a few days and your therapy can begin with that consultation. You may also communicate with me via e-mail, which I check daily. Keep in mind that e-mail is not necessarily secure to unauthorized access, so I recommend that you do not include personal details in emails communications. I see clients on weekdays during both the day and evenings. Once we establish a relationship, we can also consider phone sessions, if you are out of town or otherwise unable to meet face-to-face.
How long are the sessions and what are the costs? Individual sessions last 50 minutes or 75 minutes, couples and group sessions last 75 minutes. Attending regularly, as well as starting and ending on time are considered vital to the treatment process, therefore please consider your appointment time a priority. Baring an emergency, you will be expected to pay for missed appointments. My professional fees are: Individual $ 140.00 (50 minutes) or $ 195 (75 minutes) I also offer limited sliding scale fee appointments for those clients who cannot afford my normal fees. What happens during the initial consultation? The key to therapeutic success and my initial goal is to define an individually tailored program for you, including assessment of your issues, defining your goals, and setting meeting times. Because I believe in an interactive partnership with my clients, you will be encouraged to provide me with feedback throughout our work together. Our initial sessions will be focused on four elements: 1) Discussing the issues that you are facing, Following the initial evaluation, we will discuss your diagnosis, treatment recommendations for addressing specific problems, and any medical referral or consultation with experienced health professionals that might be required. How often and how long will I have to come to therapy? Clients often want to know upfront how long therapy will last. This is the unanswerable question. Some problems can be resolved in 5 to 6 visits. However, issues that are more complicated may involve long-term work lasting months to years. Most clients come weekly. Sometimes clients feel the need to come twice a week for short periods for extra support. Sometimes biweekly sessions work best. Research shows that by 6 to 8 sessions, most clients either stay in therapy or drop out. My recommendation is to try therapy initially for 6 to 10 weekly visits with a subsequent re-evaluation. It depends on your issues and how much work you want to put into yourself, but 6 to 10 visits will allow you to fully experience regular therapy attendance and see if it is helpful for you. After this initial phase of therapy recommendation for termination, additional weekly visits or, in some cases, biweekly or monthly visits may be suggested. My focus is on helping you reach your goals and not some arbitrary amount of time. I will never allow therapy to continue beyond its natural life. Once goals are reached or if there is a natural plateau warranting a break in the process, I will question your need and/or willingness to continue. If at any point I feel that I am unable to help you further, I will refer you to a trusted colleague who may be better suited to take care of you. What is group therapy? Group psychotherapy, like individual psychotherapy, is intended to help people who would like to improve their ability to cope with difficulties and problems in their lives. Group therapy focuses on interpersonal interactions, so relationship problems are addressed well in groups. The aim of group psychotherapy is to help with solving emotional difficulties and to encourage the personal development of the participants in the group. The therapist chooses as candidates for the group people who can benefit from this kind of therapy and those who may have a useful influence on other members in the group. In considering a therapist for group, make sure he or she is also qualified to lead group psychotherapy. The National Registry of Certified Group Psychotherapists certifies group therapists by the designation "CGP," which means the therapist has received specialized training in group therapy. You can learn more about group psychotherapy from the American Group Psychotherapy Association. |