Question 1

How do I become a new client?

Accepted Answer

I look forward to meeting you soon. Here are the steps to get started.

1. Submit an appointment request through the website contact form. You may also email me ek@dremilykatz.com or call my confidential cell phone 404-804-2444. I will be back in touch within 48 hours to arrange a brief 5-10 minute complimentary chat by phone. If it seems like a good fit, we can schedule your first appointment!

2. Access the patient portal and submit paperwork:  You can electronically submit all of your paperwork and payment information through the patient portal. You will gain access once we schedule. Please complete/sign all forms  before your session to maximize our time together. Contact me if you have any questions about the forms. If you are uninsured or do not plan to submit a claim for reimbursement through your insurance company, you are eligible for a good faith estimate of service fees. This preliminary estimate will be sent to you for review and approval prior to your first appointment and updated with any changes once we determine your specific treatment plan.

3. Prepare for session:   "Getting Started Guide for TeleHealth by SimplePractice." is a quick guide to help you prepare for your session. Please click the link to review. If you are using a computer, there's no need to download anything. Tablet and smartphone users will need to download the free "Telehealth by SimplePractice" app from the App Store on your device. Please bring two forms of ID ( one government issued photo ID) to show for the first session for verification.

Join your session:  On the day of your session,  click the unique session link a few minutes prior to our start time.  I will greet you in the virtual waiting room at our scheduled time. You will need to have a relatively quiet, private location and a reliable device such as a computer, tablet or smartphone with audio/video capabilities and strong internet/WIFI connection. Please call me at 404-804-2444 if you are running late or if I have not joined the call after 5 minutes of our start time.

Question 2

Is online therapy right for me?

Accepted Answer

Virtual therapy has become an increasingly popular and convenient option for many people, especially during the pandemic.  Some clients may discover that they can open up more easily from home than in an office setting. Virtual therapy has been shown to be just as effective as in-person therapy for most clinical issues.

Telemental health comes with certain benefits and a few risks. It assumes the client is relatively stable enough to handle treatment from a distance.  Online therapy is NOT appropriate in every case.  People who are experiencing severe suicidal or homicidal thoughts or reality impairment would not be good candidates for telemental health. Clients shoud also  be able to effectively use the technology and have access to a quiet, private location, an audio/video compatible device and stable internet/WIFI. You will complete a screener as part of your intake paperwork prior to the appointment. If we determine that you need a higher level of support than online therapy can provide, I will be happy to suggest alternative treatment options.

Question 3

I am not located in the state of Georgia. Can I still become a client?

Accepted Answer

Yes! I am licensed as a clinical psychologist in the state of Georgia, but also have authorization to provide telemental health to residents of PSYPACT participating states. These  include: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.. 
You must be physically located in your home state at the time of the call and able to inform me of your location for emergency purposes.  All sessions are scheduled in real-time on Eastern Standard Time Zone (EST) Please plan accordingly if you are in a different time zone.

Question 4

Do you offer "in person" appointments in your office?

Accepted Answer

At this time, I am only engaging in therapy remotely with clients. My practice is 100% online. All sessions are conducted in real-time, using highly secure videoconferencing software.

Question 5

What are your fees? Do you take insurance?

Accepted Answer

Insurance

I am a fee-for-service provider, which means I am not considered in-network with any insurance companies. The full session fee is due at the start of session. 
 Some or all of your fees may be covered by your insurance, if you have outpatient telemental health coverage. It is the client's responsibility to verify coverage and benefits with their insurance company before filing any claims. I am able to provide you with a monthly "superbill" to include if you decide to submit a reimbursement claim to your insurance.

Please remember that my services are billed directly to you, not your insurance company, so you are responsible for paying the fees at the time of service regardless of third party reimbursement.  Insurance companies usually require a diagnosis for reimbursement, which will then become part of your medical record. Insurance companies do not reimburse all conditions that may be the focus of psychotherapy, so I cannot guarantee reimbursement.

Fees
As a fee-for-service provider, my usual and customary fees for telemental health are as follows: 
 
$225 Initial Intake/Consult- 60 minute session
$200 Individual Psychotherapy - 50 minute session
$275 EMDR- 90 minute Session
Additional $50 fee for after-hours appointments (9pm-12am Eastern Standard Time)
 
Payments are made electronically at the start of the session. I require a credit card to be kept securely on file for ease of billing and missed session fees to prevent balance accrual. I take all major credit cards and employer FSA/HSA accounts, which allows you to claim therapy costs as a tax deduction.

In the event that you are unable to keep your appointment, you must notify me in writing at least 24 hours in advance via patient portal, email or text message.  If such advance notice is not received, you will be automatically charged the full fee for the missed session.

Question 6

What is your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

If you need to cancel or reschedule:

You can cancel or reschedule an appointment any time, for any reason, as long as you provide 24 hour written notice (email or text). If you cancel an appointment with less than 24 hours notice or do not show up for any reason, you will be charged the full session fee to the card on file. 
I am firm with this policy to protect my time and to keep things  running smoothly. Therapists reserve an hour for each client, and we are often unable to fill a time slot on shorter notice. 
Your time is equally as valuable. If I ever need to reschedule your appointment for any reason with less than 24 hours notice, your next session will be free of charge.
 
If you are running late: 
Please notify me as soon as possible if you are running late. This way I know to wait online for your arrival.  I am unable to extend session time,  but we can discuss how to make the best use of the time remaining. 
If I haven't heard from you after 15 minutes, I will attempt to contact you once with your consent before logging off.   The full fee will be automatically charged for the missed session and you will need to contact me if you choose to reschedule. **EMDR sessions require at least 60 minutes. We may be able to do a regular therapy session if less time is available.

If I am running late: While I make every effort to start on time, occasionally I may have something come up that causes a delay. If more than 5 minutes has elapsed and I have not greeted you, please call or text me 404-804-2444. I will add extra time to a session that is convenient for you.

Question 7

What is a Good Faith Estimate and will I receive one?

Accepted Answer

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost.
Under the law, health care providers need to give uninsured patients or patients who do not plan to use/file a claim with their insurance, an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. 
You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. 
You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a 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. 
 ** Estimates provided prior to a first appointment are subject to change after we meet together. Specific information  gathered during a consult, such as diagnosis, symptom severity, treatment goals, and need for any additional services will impact the recommended course of treatment.  Any changes made to your initial Good Faith Estimate will be discussed with you and a written copy of the revised estimate will be provided in a timely manner.

Question 8

Can therapy help me?

Accepted Answer

If you are wondering if you could benefit from therapy- the short answer is likely yes. Most people can benefit from having someone to talk to that can offer an unbiased perspective and help support them through whatever is going on in their lives. Individual therapy can be helpful for those already struggling with mental health issues and also for people trying to maintain their current mental health.

Here are some indicators that you will benefit from psychotherapy services:

You are interested in pursuing change.
There is a curiosity about self-discovery.
You feel ready and able to self-disclose.
There has been a sudden change in life circumstances or you are going through a life transition.
You need support and do not want to burden family or friends.
You are interested in a reliable, informed and objective point of view.
There is a specific behavioral or emotional problem which is affecting your happiness and quality of life, or your ability to cope.
You have experienced a traumatic event or events, loss, illness, job dissatisfaction, financial struggles, or relationship difficulties.
You are embracing a new beginning.
You might question, “How could this have happened to me?” or “Who am I, really?” or "Who am I now?” 
You are interested in connecting with your spirituality and higher purpose.

Question 9

What can I expect from the first session?

Accepted Answer

Your intake will last about 60 minutes.  Together, we will chat about what brings you into therapy and your goals. The first session is more like a structured interview than a typical session, since I need to get as much information as possible within the hour.  I am happy to answer questions as they come up.  I will provide my treatment recommendations and a preliminary diagnosis ( if appropriate) towards the end of the session.

I encourage you to ask questions. You will want to see if we are a good fit and if you could benefit from psychotherapy with me. I too will be considering if we are well suited to work together and what treatment approach would be most effective. If we decide to move forward together, we will schedule your next session at the end. I will usually give you something to read, practice or think about until our next meeting.

Question 10

How long will I be in therapy?

Accepted Answer

It varies. Treatment length depends on many factors including severity of symptoms, diagnosis, previous history of treatment and your individual therapy goals.  I will make recommendations following our first session. It is important from the outset that we discuss realistic goals and a timeframe to get there.
For psychotherapy, clients typically benefit from 1x weekly, 50 minute sessions for a period of several months. Other clients have benefitted from longer term more intensive work. 
EMDR for trauma based symptoms like PTSD require longer 90 minute sessions, but many people find symptom relief rapidly. Once you begin to feel better, we can discuss reducing sessions to every other week before ultimately ending therapy. 
 
It will be up to you whether or not you decide to continue at any point in the process. Therapists each have different specialities and styles, and you have the right to select a therapist that allows you to feel most comfortable and confident in your treatment. I will always provide additional referrals at any point if you feel another therapist may be better able to help you. I do highly encourage clients to bring up concerns before abruptly ending therapy. We can always try to adjust the treatment plan, talk through any stuck points or discuss alternative treatment options.

Question 11

Will I be diagnosed?

Accepted Answer

In some cases, an accurate psychological diagnosis is a crucial part of treatment and is usually required for reimbursement from insurance companies.  Having an accurate diagnosis is particularly important if you are considering medication or if symptoms require specific interventions. Many clients and other treatment providers find it useful to have this diagnostic clarity.

For others, a psychological diagnosis may not apply or could even be counterproductive. A diagnosis is not always necessary to benefit from therapy. This could mean having a consistent weekly time to focus on what’s going on in your life or to fill in the missing pieces. That could be self reflection, sharing an important story or dream, rehearsing a conversation with your boss, connecting to your higher consciousness or spirituality, guided-meditation, breath-work, setting intentions for the upcoming week or just wanting a non-judgmental space to talk things through. This is your time.

I work on a case by case basis and will discuss this with you during our first meeting. If appropriate, I may recommend additional psychological testing or medical consults to rule out underlying medical conditions or other factors that could be contributing to or overlapping with your psychological symptoms.

Question 12

Do you prescribe medication?

Accepted Answer

No. As a Clinical Psychologist, I am not able to prescribe medication. A psychiatrist is a mental health provider who is able to prescribe medications. I will provide referrals for medication management in cases where a consult is appropriate. If you are already under the care of a prescribing physician, I am happy to contact them, with your permission, to coordinate care.

Question 13

How do I log in to my therapy session?

Accepted Answer

You will receieve an email with a unique link you will use to join session. If you signed up for reminders on the portal, a reminder text or email will be sent 10 minutes before session starts. Simply click the link and wait for me to greet you. If you are using a computer, you do not need to download anything. If you are using a smartphone or tablet , please download the free "TeleHealth by SimplePractice" app on your device's App Store prior to starting session.
For a step by step instruction guide CLICK HERE.

Question 14

I am having a life threatening emergency. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

If you are having a life threatening medical or mental health emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room immeditely. Given the nature of the online platform, I am not on call or equipt to handle acute emergencies, so please do not wait for me to call you back before seeking help. I will usually respond to calls within 24- 48 hours during regular business hours excluding holidays and weekends.

Question 15

How do I access the patient portal?

Accepted Answer

You can sign into the portal using this link https://emily-katz.clientsecure.me. After we schedule your appointment, you will receive an email from me that gives you access to the patient portal. Use the portal to set up appointment reminders, access billing documents, submit new patient paperwork, upload documents and send/receive secure messages from me.

Dr. Emily Katz, PsyD.

--Licensed Clinical Psychologist/ EMDR Therapist

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