do you offer telehealth?
Where is your office?
For the past few years, the majority of my clients prefer to meet via video telehealth. They say that they like the convenience and flexibility of meeting on the secure, privacy compliant video conferencing platform we use.
If you’d like to schedule an in person appointment, I currently see clients in person on the North Shore in Swampscott, Massachusetts. This space is accessible to public transportation and also offers parking.
what insurance do you take?
I currently take Blue Cross Blue Shield, Tufts Health Plan, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, United Behavioral Healthcare (UBH), Allways, Mass General Brigham, and Optum products. If you are unsure, please check your insurance company's online provider directory. If you are using your insurance, look at your insurance card to determine the amount of copay you will have for each session. Hint: look at the amount next to 'BH' or 'OV'. Copays are due at each session. I can also bill student health insurance plans, but the process may be slightly different.
What if i don't use insurance, HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Sometimes it makes sense to pay out of pocket. If you are paying out of pocket, then the fee is negotiated on what’s called a sliding scale. This means that we negotiate an amount that is affordable for you, and that enables me to cover my time and expenses. This can be especially useful if you are on a limited income, are temporarily without or would rather not use insurance, or when I do not take the type of insurance you have. Many of my clients opt to pay out of pocket.
Clinical supervision is always paid out of pocket (and on a sliding scale). Sometimes, your employer or your school may fund all or some of your supervision costs.
What is Expressive Art Therapy?
Expressive Art Therapy is a powerful healing modality for all ages. This practice allows people to shed stress and resolve personal issues via non-threatening and productive self expression. No previous art experience is necessary to participate and talking is allowed throughout the process. Expressive techniques might include drawing with various art media, using polymer clay, writing, self-directed movement, yoga poses, Reiki energy work, drama therapy techniques, as well as body-based dialogue. My specialization within the expressive arts is Art Therapy.
how do you use yoga in therapy?
In a session, I might suggest a yoga posture for relaxation, to help explore a particular physical sensation, to relieve stress, or if you are a regular yoga practitioner, to examine any emotions or thoughts associated with a particular yoga posture. Poses are not strenuous, and doing yoga this way is not at all the same as taking a yoga class.
You are in charge of what happens in your therapy! I might make a suggestion, but you can always say 'no way', 'not now' or 'not yet.' You never have to do anything that you aren't willing to do.
can I just TAlk? DO I HAVE TO MAKE ART OR DO YOGA?
Let's say that in a session, you report feeling anxious and stressed. I might ask you where you feel this in your body. We would then explore the sensation; what it feels like, and maybe what it looks like. Perhaps we might then take the opportunity to offer the sensation voice and through dialogue, gather information that could be helpful to you. This type of work, works. It does, however require you to suspend disbelief even for a moment.
what is body-based dialoguing & how does it work?
IFS or Internal Family Systems is a therapeutic modality that takes this type of imaginal dialogue to a whole other level. In this work we engage all of the different aspects of our Selves as distinct entities, and similarly explore these parts and their roles to help heal and overcome problems, as well as build a strong sense of belief and confidence in who we are at our core. In IFS, this is called the Self.
what about ifs?
Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a therapeutic modality that works through the body to release traumatic experiences and restore balance to the nervous system. Sometimes this work is integrated with IFS and other modalities in sessions. At other times, people may prefer to address issues solely through SE. SE can also be helpful to recover from an accident, a fall or to help prepare for medical procedures.
what is somatic experiencing?
Should you chose to meet in person, we meet in a stand alone, beautifully renovated, creative space in Swampscott, Massachusetts. The space is on one level and has it’s own entrance. Of course, there are additional safeguards in place to ensure your privacy. Bus stops are less than a block away and the commuter rail station is a 5-7 minute walk. Parking is free. I may open another location in downtown Boston in the future.
I am also available for video sessions through a HIPAA privacy compliant video conferencing platform.
where are you located?
Sessions last 45 minutes. The first session is about 55 minutes. Generally, we meet weekly, and ideally at the same time every week. If your schedule does not permit this, then we might meet every other week.
how long do we meet?
It really depends on what you are looking for in therapy, how much time you are willing to invest in yourself, what your timeline is, and sometimes, to be frank, what your insurance will cover or what you feel you can afford. An average time frame might be about 6 months. It really depends on your goals. Sometimes people taper off at the end of their work to meeting once every 4-6 weeks to check in. This is something we can discuss in our first meeting.
How long will i be in therapy?
You will feel as though you’ve made progress towards your goals. For example, people report decreased stress, increased focus, less depression, more energy, less anxiety, a greater sense of personal hope and self esteem.
what should I expect when I'm 'done'?
What is your cancellation POlicy?
If you need to cancel your appointment, please do so by phone (leaving a voice-mail or text message) preferably 48 hours in advance otherwise you will be billed. Emergency cancellations (less than 48 hours in advance) are handled on a case-by-case basis. It is important to note that insurance will not pay for a late cancelled session, and that you will be responsible for the full fee. This fee enables me to cover my expenses as I cannot book another appointment into that spot at the last minute. In the very rare instance that I need to cancel at the last minute of course there will be no charge, just my deep apologies for the inconvenience.
WHAT IS YOUR EDUCATION?
LICENSES & CREDENTIALS?
CLINiCAL WORK EXPERIENCE?
Master of Arts, Art Therapy Specialization – Lesley University
Master of Fine Arts – University of Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Arts – Vassar College
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Massachusetts #4508 since 1999
Nationally Board Certified and Registered Art Therapist (ATR-BC) since 2000
1997-present Private Practice/MAKE ART – Boston, MA & Swampscott, MA
2008-2017 Bay Cove Human Services – Boston, MA
2007 Bella Vita Eating Disorders program at BHC Alhambra Hospital – Rosemead, CA
2001-2006 Massachusetts Department of Mental Health – Boston & Jamaica Plain, MA
1998-2000 North Suffolk Mental Health Association – Boston, MA
1997-1998 Brockton Family & Community Resources – Brockton, MA
1997 Lesley College Counseling Center – Cambridge, MA
1994-1995 Tri-City Mental Health Center – Malden, MA
Pet therapy = rosie tomato:
Rosie Tomato may be present for in-person sessions. She is a peaceful, 12 year old, Havanese; a breed considered to be hypoallergenic. Rosie Tomato has been working alongside Debbie as a psychiatric therapy dog since she was 8 weeks old. Her presence is loving, calm, intuitive and compassionate. She spends the day offering affection and napping.