Frequently asked Questions:
- Do you do CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)? Yes! It is one of my favorite ways of treating anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. Studies show it is very effective, and can be even more effective than medications in many situations. It is very rewarding for me to see how well it works, which is why I offer it to those ready for a structured approach. I have obtained a license to use the Therapist Toolkit of David Burns, M.D., bestselling author on self help books for anxiety, panic and depression. This license gives me unlimited use of his copyrighted materials in the Therapist Toolkit.
- Do you use any other methods besides CBT? Yes! Treatment is individualized to your needs and preferences. Not everyone is ready for such a structured approach as CBT. There are other types of effective help available, and we will work together to see which approach to take.
- What is an MFT? An MFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. This is one of several healing arts licenses qualified to provide mental health treatment. Training includes a Masters Degree and 3,000 hours of supervised experience. Once licensed, ongoing continuing education is required. I am licensed by the state of California.
- Do you take my insurance? I am an out of network provider for most PPO insurance plans. If you wish to use your insurance, I will provide you with a Superbill to submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement. The Superbill includes all the information they require, to process your claim. You will need to find out if they cover mental health benefits, and what your deductibles and copays are. If you need me to help you figure it out, I will be happy to educate you as you go along, or to call your insurance for you.
- My insurance company says they don’t cover any MFT. Can you recommend a psychologist who does CBT? Some major insurance companies are underwritten out of state. Yet, they are required to follow California law for their insured who are California residents. You may notice on the back of your insurance card, there is a separate address for California residents to mail their claims to. When you phone them for information, however, you will get a clerk in another state, who is not aware of this law. The department you mail your claim to would likely know and implement the law, which is why they have a separate mailing address for California residents. The law in California is that patients have freedom of choice and can use the services of any licensed mental health professional, including an MFT. As a member of CAMFT (California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists), I have access to consultations with the experts on this. If you are my client, and if your insurance company does not seem to follow the rules, I am always happy to call CAMFT for advice on your behalf. In my experience, however, insurance companies will follow the law and reimburse you for eligible claims.
- I was in therapy before, but talking about my past did not help me overcome my anxiety or panic. Before I spend my time and money trying again, what can you say to reassure me that there is hope? I use methods that work. That is not to say your former therapists didn’t. Maybe it just wasn’t right for you, or maybe it just was not the right time for you to make changes. What I do, that may be different, is to measure your progress from week to week. Together we look at whether the therapeutic relationship between us is working, and whether or not the methods are helping. If things are not getting better pretty soon, and you are not feeling more hopeful, we can shift gears. That could mean trying different methods, changing the frequency of sessions, or even referring you out to a therapist you may work better with. This approach of measuring progress from session to session, and measuring the strength of the therapeutic relationship, has been shown by studies to make the therapy much more effective, regardless of the methods used.
- Can therapy help me more than the self help books I have been using? It seems I know a lot of techniques, and try to practice some of them regularly, yet something seems amiss. There are many excellent self help books for anxiety, depression, and panic. They can be very effective and often people using them will not need to see a therapist. If you feel something amiss, it may be time to reach out. What therapy offers that you can’t get from a book is the therapeutic alliance. This is shown to be the most powerful ingredient in any type of therapy, regardless of method. For example, a CBT therapist, though focusing on structure and techniques, will also show empathy and compassion for your struggle, and support you emotionally in your efforts. So, this may be the missing ingredient when you feel a need for more than self help books. A therapist can also ask you questions, and help you direct your attention to aspects of self help you had overlooked or missed. You may be focused on labeling your distorted thoughts, for example, but need someone to point out your strengths as well.
Kate Boswell MFT is a Los Angeles based therapist in Marina del Rey. Nearby communities are Westchester, Santa Monica, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Venice, Culver City and Inglewood.
©2007 Kate Boswell
