Common Questions
How do I schedule an appointment?
Since we are often with clients, you may need to leave a confidential message when you call.
If you would like to schedule an appointment specifically with Dr. Bjarnason ("Dr. B") or Dr. Nelson, please call our main number at 860-788-3231 and indicate on voicemail for which doctor you are leaving a message.
If you do not have a particular doctor in mind, please call our main number 860-788-3231 and leave a message in our confidential mailbox and either Dr. Nelson or Dr. Bjarnason ("Dr. B") will return your call within 24 hours.
How long are sessions?
Therapy sessions are forty-five (45) to sixty (60) minutes and are typically scheduled on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. You are in control of what you want to accomplish in therapy and goals are determined at the beginning of our work together, but can be modified over time. We often provide clients with additional guided materials to augment the therapy experience.
What are the office hours?
We try to be flexible in meeting our client's needs. We offer morning, afternoon and evening appointments Monday-Friday.
Can I use my insurance to reimburse for sessions?
Yes. While we are in-network for some insurance companies (such as Medicare and Medicaid), for some insurance companies we are considered out-of-network providers. However, we are happy to send claims to your insurance company for you.
What are your fees?
We know that it's important that you feel comfortable and are able to establish a good working relationship. Our fees are consistent with other area providers and vary depending on the services you are seeking; we would be happy to discuss our fees with you when you call.
What can I expect at the first session?
Finding a therapist you feel comfortable with is almost as important as the decision to seek therapy in the first place. Therefore, during our first session you would have an opportunity to see if you feel comfortable with us. We would review our practices regarding therapy, confidentiality and payment. Then we would talk about what you hope to achieve through therapy and some personal history information.
Within the first few sessions we will develop a plan for how we will work together to achieve your goals and schedule regular psychotherapy sessions. If you decide you'd rather not work with us, we can offer you referrals to providers in the community who may better fit your needs.
How long does psychotherapy usually take?
This depends on what you hope to achieve. For some issues, short-term treatment (6-15 sessions) is adequate. Sometimes when problems have been unsolved for a while, longer-term treatment is necessary. Regardless, we make every effort to provide the most efficient psychotherapy possible given the time, energy and financial expense involved.
What if I miss or cancel my appointment?
We know that it is sometimes necessary to cancel or reschedule an appointment. However, since that appointment time is reserved for you, we ask that you provide at least 24 hours notice (except for instances of illness or weather-related issues) or there would be a $65 fee.
Is the information discussed considered confidential?
The law protects the privacy of all communications between a client and a psychologist. In most situations, we can only release information about your treatment to others if you sign a written authorization form that meets certain legal requirements imposed by Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act(HIPAA). We will discuss any limits to confidentiality at our first meeting.