Frequently Asked Questions

You may have questions about psychoanalysis, psychodynamic and psychoanalytic psychotherapy, my services, our work together, rates, appointments, or insurance coverage. Find common questions and answers here.

Where do you see patients?
I see patients at my office in downtown Minneapolis, located in the Medical Arts Building, Suite #614, 825 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55402.

Do you see children and adolescents?
I generally see people who are 16 years or older.

What is psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is used to treat mental illness (for example, depression) and or life difficulties (for example, stress and grief). Also termed “therapy” or “talk therapy”, psychotherapy is a therapeutic approach used to treat or improve mental health in which a patient talks with a mental health specialist.

There are many different types of therapy that help people in different ways. These different types of therapy all have advantages and disadvantages. It is important for a psychiatrist and patient to find an approach that fits a patient’s needs. The approach should be tailored to the type and amount of change that is needed for a person to be healthy and satisfied.

The length and intensity depend on the needs and goals of each patient. For some, a brief period of focused therapy will suffice. For some, a new or changed medication may be all that is needed for the person to get back on his or her feet. For others, lengthier or more intense therapy is needed.

Please see more on the type of therapy I offer on the resources page as well as additional information about Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis below.

How often and how long do you see patients?
Initial evaluations last one hour.

Regular appointments last 45 minutes.

The patients who see me only for medication adjustments have appointments anywhere between every few weeks and a few times a year – depending on their needs.

The frequency of visits for psychotherapy is usually once or twice a week. Psychoanalysis is typically four times a week. Duration of therapy can range anywhere from several months to several years. The frequency depends on patient goals and the therapeutic approach.

Are you able to prescribe medications?
I am a physician, and I am trained and able to prescribe medications.

What are your rates and do you accept insurance?
In order to offer individualized, tailored, and affordable services, I require that my patients pay for their visits. I accept checks or cash.

Most insurance companies are willing to reimburse a portion of a fee for an “out of network” provider, so I encourage my patients to check with their insurance companies about whether they provide such reimbursement.

Please call for information about my fees, or we can discuss them in your first visit.

Why do you not work directly with insurance companies? 
My priority is to provide the best care possible for my patients. Many insurance companies place severe constraints on the type and duration of therapy mostly for reasons related to the cost and not the benefit of the patient. My experience and that of many other therapists have been that a practice that depends on insurance payments is fraught with conflicts between the priorities of the insurance company and those of the patient. This has led me to a practice model in which I work directly and only with the patient.

What is your cancellation policy?
I charge late fees for missed appointments or cancelations less than 48 hours before the appointment time. Exceptions can be made on an individual basis for truly unavoidable circumstances.

Can I bring a friend or family member to our first session?
Yes. Some patients like to bring a partner or a parent to our first consultation. I will welcome the guest. My level of interaction with the guest depends on the circumstances and patient permission.

For patients younger than 18 years, I typically spend some time with a parent or a caregiver.

I do not provide couples or family therapy.

What kind of therapy do you offer?
The types of therapy I offer are psychodynamic (psychoanalytic) psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. Both are aimed at facilitating a more substantial change and long-term effects.

For patients who participate in intense psychodynamic psychotherapy or in psychoanalysis, therapy results in a deeper understanding of oneself and opens up new possibilities in life that may previously have been stifled by a lack of self-esteem, fear, misperceptions, perfectionism, competitiveness (too much or too little) and so on.

There are two important factors that affect the success of therapy. One is the expertise and experience of the therapist. The other is that the patient and the therapist should be well matched. I can explain more about this by telephone or when we meet.

Do other types of therapy work for some patients?
Some types of psychotherapy take a more practical approach. These tend not to focus on helping a patient gain a deeper understanding of subconscious or underlying forces. Instead, they aim to provide a patient with a set of practical skills that will help the patient handle difficulties in a more concrete way. These therapies work well in some circumstances, typically for a limited set of problems or symptoms.

Patients should consider psychodynamic psychotherapy if they have tried other therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, supportive therapy, interpersonal therapy, etc. and still find themselves facing the same or similar problems.

Some patients seek psychodynamic psychotherapy because they want to personally grow and expand their creativity. Some feel they are not living and achieving at their full potential, or they can’t seem to find the right relationship or joy in the current ones – and that there is “something” standing in their way as they are going through life.