Megan Rundel, PhD · PSY 20530 · (510) 597-1261

Getting Started - What to Expect

Making the decision to seek therapy or analysis is a big step. Here is a bit about what you can expect to help you feel more at ease.

Appointments

Ongoing appointments are 50 minutes long and are held at the same time each week. This regularity helps us get to know each other and provides a structure for us to begin tackling the particular difficulties you are struggling with. Regular and consistent appointments are essential to get to the heart of the matter. If you have reservations about the therapy process, I may suggest we start by meeting four or five times to see how it goes.

The First Appointment

Our first appointment will be a consultation, where we can discuss what's going on for you and how I can help. When we speak in person I will describe how to find my office. You will arrive in a waiting room, where I will find you at our appointment time. During the first appointment I will invite you to tell me about what brings you to therapy, and to tell me about yourself. Once I have a feel for your particular needs, I'll make a treatment recommendation, which is usually once or twice per week therapy to start. I'll describe some of the ideas I have about what I think is going on with you and how therapy might help. We'll also discuss other possible treatment modalities for you that might be appropriate.

How Treatment Works

Early in our work together, I will collaborate with you to come up with treatment goals, keeping in mind that they may change in the course of our work. In the course of our time together I will ask you to be as honest as you can about your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. At times I will be active with you in helping to understand and manage particular difficulties. At other times we may be more reflective. But you will always have my complete attention.

Payment

I do not directly bill insurance companies. If you wish to seek reimbursement from your PPO health insurance, I will provide you with a bill you can submit. However I do not deal directly with insurance companies, and you will need to verify their reimbursement policy.

I do not take most kinds of insurance because I have serious concerns that very often using insurance for mental health needs is harmful to both client and therapist. Using insurance compromises your privacy, and may affect your ability to get health or other kinds of insurance coverage in the future. It requires that you be diagnosed with a mental condition, which goes into your records. It also means that the insurance company, not you or your therapist, are making decisions about how much and what kind of treatment you receive.