Frequently Asked Questions
Therapeutic Practice FAQs
1. Do you do give consultations?
Yes! For therapy to be effective, a good match between the therapist and client is imperative. Contact me for a free 15-minute consultation so that I can learn more about you and what you are hoping to work on. I will also be able to answer any questions that you have about me or the therapeutic process.
2. What happens before the first session?
Before the first session, I will send you a link to a HIPAA-compliant platform so that you can fill out the intake paperwork. This will include important information about you and what is bringing you to therapy. This online system will also be used for scheduling appointments. Separately, I will send you a link for all of our sessions.
3. What does a typical session look like?
Each session is unique, as the therapeutic relationship differs from person to person and continually evolves throughout the process. The goal is for you to feel supported and to be moving at a pace at which you feel comfortable.
During our initial sessions, I will get to learn more about you and what brought you to therapy. We will establish goals and a course of action, which will enable us to chart a path going forward. This plan can always be revised based on your needs. During the subsequent sessions, we will continue to build upon our initial work, each time going a bit deeper.
Therapy is not a linear process, so there is no one path that we must follow. If there is something coming up for you that occurred between sessions or even in the 5 minutes before our session, we can focus on that. This is a collaborative process, so I welcome and encourage you to take an active role and feedback is always warmly received.
4. How long is a session?
Sessions are typically 45-minutes long. If we collaboratively decide that a longer session is more beneficial, this can be accommodated.
5. How long does therapy take?
Sessions occur on a weekly basis and attending sessions regularly is more likely to lead to lasting results. The length of time varies, and the topics we cover may evolve over time (based on needs and growth). Some people attend for several sessions and discontinue once they have found a resolution that works for them.
Before discontinuing therapy, it is important to jointly work on a plan for after care so that any gains made throughout the therapeutic process can be sustained over time.
6. Do you take insurance?
I am partnering with Alma for insurance purposes. Your information will be submitted through Alma prior to our first session so that your insurance eligibility can be confirmed. Here is my Alma profile: https://secure.helloalma.com/providers/marisa-cohen/
For clients who are out of network, you may want to contact your insurance provider. Depending on your provider and plan, you may be partially reimbursed for out-of-network behavioral health. If that is the case, I can provide you with a monthly superbill that you can submit to your insurance provider.
Please contact me to learn more about my rates.
7. What types of payment do you accept?
I accept all major credits cards and payment is done through the HIPAA-compliant platform on the day of service prior to our session.
8. What is your cancellation policy?
I require 24 hours’ advance notice for a cancellation. If you cancel with less that 24 hours’ notice, you will be charged the full fee for the session. This allows me time to adjust my schedule if you cannot make it to a session so that I can accommodate another client.
9. Can I reschedule an appointment?
Of course! The earlier you can let me know of an upcoming schedule conflict, the more flexibility I will likely have. To avoid a cancellation fee, provide me with more than 24 hours’ notice if you need to change your appointment.
10. Do marriage and family therapists only see couples and families?
Marriage and family therapists work with individuals, couples, families, and groups. A marriage and family therapist uses a systemic perspective when working with clients, meaning that we pay special attention to the larger social context or systems in which you are embedded. This means that we focus on all of the relationships in your life (friends, family, coworkers, etc.) and how they may impact you and your presenting concerns.
11. What is a Good Faith Estimate?
A Good Faith Estimate explains how much your care will cost. If you are not using insurance or do not have insurance, Federal law requires health care providers and clinicians to provide an estimate of the bill for medical items and services. Your Good Faith Estimate will be given to you prior to our first session together.
12. What if I have other questions?
Feel free to email me. I am happy to answer your questions.
Therapeutic Background and Approach FAQs
1. What was your path to becoming a therapist?
I am passionate about assisting others to set goals, realize their dreams, and tackle any stumbling blocks they may face and as such, always knew that I wanted to be in a helping profession.
My background is a bit non-traditional in that my first career was in academia (tenured psychology professor). Working with, and advising students was the highlight of that role. Additionally, I am a relationship scientist and have done a great deal of research on relationships and the human connection. For many years, I have been giving workshops, presentations, and interactive lectures about how people can apply relationship science to their everyday lives and cover topics such as dating, communication, intimacy, and fostering and strengthening our attachment bonds. This work strengthened my desire to pursue a clinical specialty in marriage and family therapy.
2. What should someone know about working with you?
I take a collaborative, solution-focused approach to create a warm and open atmosphere, where clients feel comfortable sharing their stories and lived experiences. I also use psychoeducation and various evidence-based interventions to help my clients reach their full potential. We will work together at a pace that feels comfortable and embark on a journey of self-discovery, healing, and growth.
3. What do you do to continue learning and building competencies as a provider?
It is so important to stay up to date on the research from the field as well as new therapeutic interventions and approaches. As a relationship scientist, and coming from an academic background, I am passionate about drawing on a variety of disciplines to provide my clients with psychoeducation and evidence-based treatments. I am both an active participant in continuing education courses and workshops, as well as present my own lectures and host educational events.
4. How do your own core values shape your approach to therapy?
Therapy can be a place for self-exploration and a greater depth of understanding, an avenue to enhance social connections, and a way to set goals and chart a path to achieve them. I value lifelong learning and the power of human connection, and as such, the goal of enhancing self-awareness, and desire to learn, grow, and evolve deeply resonates with me.
I also value approaching people from a place of curiosity, empathetic understanding, and the power of validation, all which are important components of the therapeutic relationship and setting.
5. If there was one thing you wish people who might be hesitant knew about the therapy experience, what would that be?
Therapy can be a wonderful place for discovery-of yourself, your relationships, and your goals, wishes, and dreams. This exploration can lead to a greater sense of self-awareness and personal growth. Therapy can be beneficial at any time and provides you with a warm and caring atmosphere where you feel safe to explore and share your thoughts and emotions.
When working with a client, I make sure to always check in and work at a pace that feels comfortable. I also invite open dialogue about the goals of therapy, the modalities used, and the process so that it is a truly collaborative experience.
Good Faith Estimate
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your care will cost.
Under Federal law, health care providers must give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.
Under this law, you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services.
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 or call 800-985-3059.