West Hartford, CT | Counseling FAQs | Naomi Lufkin, MA, LPC, NCC

Midlife Transitions Psychotherapy, West Hartford, CT

Counseling Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Naomi S. Lufkin, MA, NCC, LPC

If I decide to see a psychotherapist, does that mean I am crazy?

What is the advantage of seeing a psychotherapist who specializes in midlife transitions?

Do you take insurance?

What does an out-of-network provider mean?

How much do you charge?

What is your cancellation policy?

What can I expect to happen during the first appointment?

If I decide to see a psychotherapist, does that mean I am crazy?

The answer is most definitely NO! [ Top ]

The fact that you are reaching out and wanting to receive professional help is very healthy. Let’s face it; life is stressful! Counseling and psychotherapy can enable you to understand the patterns and themes that have prevailed throughout your entire life. It takes great courage to step forward and ask for help while feeling so stuck. I describe the following analogy to each of my clients:

Your life, accompanied by various stressors and struggles is comparable to a puzzle. When you initially come in for psychotherapy, the puzzle pieces are not in their respective places and can’t create the whole picture or scene with clarity. The puzzle, itself, is in disarray. Therefore, all the pieces need to be tossed down and configured in a different way, as they no longer fit. Then, one by one, as you learn to understand how your entire life story connects with and impacts your current thoughts, feelings, and behavior, the puzzle pieces begin to present in a much more focused and sensible way. You wind up with a puzzle that has great meaning and purpose.

What is the advantage of seeing a psychotherapist who specializes in midlife transitions? [ Top ]

Midlife is a part of the life cycle. There are so many changes that take place in an individual’s life during this transition. However, this adult stage of development is frequently overlooked. In our culture the belief is that once you become an adult there will be no more changes. It is simply not true! Midlife is a period of time when you begin the search and rescue mission. After living approximately 40-50 years, all sorts of questions start to arise about the meaning and purpose of your life. You may feel totally confused, empty, and paralyzed with fear about stepping into the unknown. This stage is accompanied by a wide range of occurrences including hormonal changes due to the effects of menopause, taking care of elderly parents, becoming an empty nester, feeling one’s mortality, losing passion in your marriage or relationship, getting divorced, becoming a widow/widower, having an affair, hating your job, losing interest in the friends you have, and experiencing grief and loss symptoms.

As a professional who decided to specialize in Midlife Transitions, I am totally aware of and committed to the great need for helping people who are struggling at this point in their lives. As a woman in midlife, I have experienced so many of these same feelings that arise during this stage. Therefore, I will understand you, at the core, and teach you how to develop meaning and purpose in your life. At midlife, it is so easy to lose your way! My intention is to teach you how to embrace your AUTHENTICITY. Frequently, you may feel as though you have come upon a brick wall and can’t get beyond it. I will help you understand what the brick wall means, why it exists, and how to knock it down.

Do you take insurance? [ Top ]

I am on two insurance panels. They are Anthem and Oxford. I accept only these two insurances. I am considered an out-of-network provider for all other types of insurances.

What does an out-of-network provider mean? [ Top ]

As a licensed psychotherapist, I am automatically considered to be an out-of-network provider. If you have other insurances besides the ones mentioned above, you would need to pay my full fee me out of your own pocket. Then, I issue you a "superbill". This piece of paper will include all the pertinent information that is required by every insurance company in order to be considered for reimbursement. I would have to include giving you a "diagnosis" as well, and this is important to know. You would have to inquire with your own insurance carrier as to what are your specific out-of-network benefits. This superbill would have to be submitted to your insurance company. Many plans have a high percentage of reimbursement.

How much do you charge? [ Top ]

My charge to see an individual client is $100.00 for a 60-minute session. The fee for marriage counseling is $150.00 for a 60-minute session.

What is your cancellation policy? [ Top ]

You need to let me know 24 hours in advance of your wish to cancel our session. If you are ill on the given day of our appointment, I need to be called by 8:00 a.m. to avoid the session charge.

What can I expect to happen during the first appointment? [ Top ]

I would request that you set aside 90 minutes for the first session only. As a client, you will first be required to complete paperwork, and that takes up some time. Once that is completed, I will ask a variety of questions with regard to your family history and the presenting problem. It is vital to get your background information so I could get a complete understanding of your life. I will leave time for any questions you may have and/ or any feelings that may arise during this time. At the end, another appointment is made for the following week.