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What is a Licensed Clinical
Social Worker, (LCSW-R)?
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What is a Board Certified Diplomat in Clinical Social Work?
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What can I expect when I walk into the office?
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Is counseling confidential?
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How do I make an appointment?
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Can you be reached
after hours?
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Where is your office?
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What are your fees?
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What insurance plans do you accept?
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What are your appointment hours?
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Do you conduct presentations?
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Do you provide Specialized Services to Emergency Services Personnel?
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Are you available for critical incident stress
debriefing?
In New York State, a Licensed
Clinical Social Worker, (LCSW) is a person who has a Master's Degree in
Social Work from an accredited university and has passed the state's
licensure exam. The "R" designation is only awarded after a licensed
Clinical Social Worker has had a minimum of 6 years of postgraduate
professional supervision, and has met strict credentialing guidelines.
The "R" designation allows for third party insurance
reimbursement. Prior to September 1, 2004 the license, Certified Social
Worker (CSW) was issued by New York State, the Licensed Clinical Social
Worker, (LCSW) license replaces it. For more information on license
requirements please go to the
New York State Education Department's Office of the Professions Social
Work Homepage.
This is
an Advanced Credential which is granted to experienced Clinicians who
have qualified via examination or background and training review.
Providers with this recognition have demonstrated a high degree of
professional advancement and skill development, including a minimum of
years of practice experience
I share a common waiting area, and office manager with several other
therapists. My
offices are private, quiet and relaxed. For your first appointment
please arrive 20 minutes early to fill out necessary paperwork,
including a patient information form, this way no time will be taken
away from your 50 minute session. Prior to your first visit it is
important for you to think about your expectations for counseling. Based
on your desires, answers on the patient information form, and an initial
evaluation, we will then proceed together to help further define and
ultimately meet your goals.
Yes,
confidentiality and trust are the building blocks of a therapeutic
relationship. Information will only be shared with others if you give
your therapist written authorization to do so. Professional ethics are
strictly adhered to and my practice is HIPPA complaint (Federally
regulated privacy practices) There are however limited situations that
all therapists are mandated to report. These are child abuse or neglect,
imminent harm to oneself or others, and information in response to a
court order. For more information please go to my
confidentiality page.
You can call the office at 886-7304 and speak with the office manager,
Cathy, who is available Monday through Friday during normal business
hours (except lunch hrs.), or fill out the
secure contact form. Appointments can generally be arranged within
3 to 5 days. Emergency appointments can be made within 24 hours.
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Can you be reached after hours?
After
normal office hours the phone is answered by voicemail. You can leave a
message in my private voicemail mailbox. If you call with an emergency
through the answering service I will be contacted. I will get back to
you as soon as possible. At Intake you were giving Emergency resources
in cases where a client cannot wait for my call. On weekends one of the
clinical staff is on-call and they will handle the call whenever I am
unavailable or out of town.
The
office is located at Linwood Psychotherapy Associates,
406
Linwood Avenue,
between
W.
Utica
and W. Ferry, in
Buffalo.
I also have some office hours on a limited basis at
Williamsville Executive Center,
5500 Main St., Suite 349
in Williamsville. Please see the
offices page for further information. Linwood has street parking
which is never any problem. The Williamsville office has handicap
parking and the building is fully accessible. Both offices are close to
(approximately 1.5 city blocks) or right on major bus routes.
The amount that you will have to pay depends on your insurance
coverage. If your insurance has a co-pay, then payment will be expected
at the time of your appointment. If you do not have insurance then we
can discuss my fee structure. Please see the
Insurance &
Fees Page for more information.
I
accept most plans including: Univera, Nova, Medicare, Blue Cross and
Blue Shield Traditional, United Behavioral Health, APS
Healthcare, GHI, Value/Options Healthcare/Empire Plan Integra, Magellan
and Community Blue. If I do not accept your insurance it is often
possible to arrange with your insurance provider for you to be seen.
Please see the
Insurance & Fees Page
for a complete list and further information.
Appointments are available at the Linwood location: Monday
9:00AM to 5:00PM,Tuesday 3:00PM to 10:00PM , Thursday
10:00AM until 8:00 PM. Williamsville office hours are:
Wednesday 5:00PM to 10:00PM and Friday's 9 AM until
1:00 PM. Appointments outside of these times can be arranged in special
or emergency situations.
Yes, I am available to schools, hospitals, corporations and private
organizations. If interested please contact me regarding your specific
needs.
Yes. I
have a Specialty working with Law Enforcement Professionals, Fire
Fighters, Ambulance Attendants. EMT’s, Emergency Room Staff, and
their families.
Yes, I
am available for CISM. I have facilitated debriefings for schools,
governmental agencies, hospitals, and corporations. I am a member of the
Western New York Stress Reduction Team… a group providing CISM services
to Emergency Services Personnel. I have had an abundance of training
through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation Please
contact me by phone at 716-886-7304 if you are in need of this service.
