Patients should fill out all the required online forms via the patient portal, which the patients will be given access to prior to the scheduled intake appointment.

The first appointment generally takes about an hour. Sessions thereafter are forty-five minutes. The initial intake session covers health and family history, current symptoms and goals for therapy. Once an initial intake session is conducted, the therapist will evaluate the patient’s symptoms and create a treatment plan for each individual. The patient should expect to gain clarity on their diagnosis and their prognosis for therapy.

The goals of treatment are to develop greater self-awareness and understanding of one’s cognitive and behavioral patterns, so the individual may make positive changes in their lives. Therapy will address all aspects of an individual’s life that contribute to their personal well being including: self esteem, family and personal relationship dynamics, romantic relationships, and career direction. Holistic psychotherapy will do this by addressing the emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual causes of psychological disorders.

One should develop an awareness of maladaptive cognitive and behavioral patterns, and learn to break these patterns and develop a metaphoric mental tool kit to shift to thoughts and behaviors that are healthy. These tools can help patients eliminate compulsions and addictions that wreak havoc in their lives. Patients may experience transformative changes in their lives that will reduce stress and enhance their well being such as: elevated self confidence, clarity of purpose and life direction, improved relationships, and increased motivation.

The length of treatment is based on the initial treatment plan and generally involves weekly or biweekly treatment for a period of time, which will be determined by therapist and patient. The length of treatment depends on the severity of symptoms and the speed at which an individual is able to implement psychotherapeutic changes.

All sessions are confidential. Confidentiality protects a patient’s privacy and allows an individual to share person information freely and openly. A patient’s psychotherapeutic record is confidential and protected by law except in instances where a patient may be considered a danger to themselves or someone else, or in rare instances where a court may subpoena patient records for testimony. The practice will never share a patient’s privileged health information without written consent by the patient.

Cheryl offers a free fifteen-minute consultation call to determine if the therapist and patient are a good fit to work together.

Cheryl Hochberger, LCSW provides a monthly reimbursement form via email. The reimbursement form simply needs to be printed out and sent directly to the claims address on the back of the patient’s insurance card.

A patient should call the number on the back of the insurance card. If applicable, call the mental health or behavioral health phone number directly. Follow the phone prompts and make sure to choose the Benefits category and then ask to speak to a representative. Ask the representative exactly what out-of-network behavioral health or mental health benefits the patient has. Ask if there is a personal out-of-network deductible or family deductible, how much the dollar amount of the deductible is, and if either of those deductibles have been met or partially met. Then ask how much the insurance company will reimburse (usually a percentage of the insurance company’s allowable amount for a therapist visit) and the co-insurance amount that the patient will be responsible for.