The first step in therapy is for the patient and therapist to get a clear understanding of the problem the patient wants help with. It’s also important to have a chance to ask any questions they may have about the therapy or the therapist’s qualifications. The therapist will explain how therapy works and clarify expectations about the treatment. If both patient and therapist agree that this seems like a good fit, they’ll discuss other details of the treatment, like meeting dates, payment, cancellation policy, etc. 

After the first meeting, the patient and therapist will sign a therapy contract and will meet for one or two more sessions to complete a thorough intake evaluation. Although patients often look forward to start treatment quickly, it’s essential for the therapist to obtain a detailed history in order to attain a deep understanding of the history and context of the presenting problem. The therapist will then typically share some initial impressions and negotiate a treatment plan clarifying the patient’s goals for treatment.

At BBM, we accept most healthcare insurance plans, and have a self-pay option for treatment. If you contact our main number (617-232-2435 x0) or submit an initial “contact us” form, our intake coordinator will contact you and discuss payment options, as well as inform you which therapists accept your insurance plan. In the case that a therapist who you want to see doesn’t take your insurance, they will discuss their self-pay fees. In some cases the therapist can provide you with a bill (“superbill”) that you can submit to your insurance for full or partial reimbursement. You will also be provided with a “good faith estimate” of what to expect to pay in cases when your insurance won’t cover for your treatment in full.   

The length of a psychotherapy treatment will depend on several factors, including: the nature and severity of the problem, and how quickly a patient responds to the treatment. The therapist will be able to give you a rough estimate of what to expect with regard to the length of treatment after completing a thorough evaluation and negotiating a treatment plan with you. You and your therapist can also revisit this as the treatment progresses.  

Depending on the particular problem that you’re seeking help for medications may be helpful. For example, conditions like: anxiety, depression, and ADHD may respond well to medications. Research findings show that most mental health conditions are best treated with a combination of psychotherapy and medications. You can discuss this option with your therapist, who can facilitate a consultation referral. 

At BBM we utilize techniques like clinical hypnosis and biofeedback within an integrative psychotherapy approach. Therefore, patients seeking these treatments need to undergo a regular initial evaluation like all our patients. Clinical hypnosis and biofeedback are considered clinical strategies that are part of a more comprehensive integrative psychotherapy.  

It’s well documented that groups can be very beneficial to help promote our mental and physical health. A core therapeutic aspect of groups seems to come from the social support that one experiences in the presence of other group members. The feeling of “we’re all on the same boat” can also be very helpful to de-stigmatize some of the health problems that patients are struggling with. Groups can also help us reflect on the way we respond to others, and help us make important changes that will allow us to cultivate healthier relationships in our lives.

You can call our main number: 617-232-2435 ext #1 or submit the “contact us” form (click below) and our intake coordinator will contact you to schedule an appointment.