Frequently Asked Questions
Starting therapy can bring up a lot of questions. That’s completely normal. Below you’ll find straightforward answers about how I work, what to expect, and how to get started. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, I’m always just a call or email away.
Who do you work with?
I provide individual therapy for adults (18+) navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, and relationship challenges.
Many of the clients I work with also struggle with patterns of people-pleasing, difficulty setting boundaries, or feeling responsible for other people’s emotions. Over time, these patterns can lead to anxiety, burnout, or feeling disconnected from your own needs.
Therapy offers a space to slow down, understand these patterns, and begin responding in ways that feel more aligned with who you are.
What types of therapy do you offer?
My work integrates several evidence-based approaches, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
CBT helps you understand how thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors influence emotional experience while building practical skills to respond differently. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction supports greater awareness of your thoughts, emotions, and physical reactions so you can respond more intentionally to stress. EMDR helps process distressing experiences that may still be shaping how you see yourself or respond to situations today.
These approaches help clients better understand their patterns while learning practical tools they can apply in everyday life.
What is EMDR and how is it different from talk therapy?
EMDR is a research-supported therapy designed to help the brain process overwhelming or distressing experiences.
While traditional talk therapy focuses primarily on understanding experiences through conversation, EMDR also works with the brain’s natural processing system to help memories feel less emotionally intense.
Many people find that once certain memories are processed, the beliefs connected to them—such as “I’m not good enough” or “I have to keep everyone happy”—begin to shift.
Do you offer virtual therapy?
Yes. I offer both in-person sessions and virtual appointments through Doxy, a secure HIPAA-compliant platform.
I provide therapy for adults located in Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, and Maine. Telehealth services are available for residents of South Carolina under a telehealth authorization.
Virtual therapy allows many clients to access care from the privacy and comfort of their home.
What can I expect in the first session?
The first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other.
We’ll talk about what’s bringing you to therapy, what you’ve already tried, and what you hope might feel different in your life. We’ll also begin identifying patterns that may be contributing to stress or emotional overwhelm.
From there, we can start thinking about goals and the approaches that may be most helpful.
How long does therapy usually last?
The length of therapy varies depending on your goals and what you would like to work on.
Some people benefit from short-term, skills-focused therapy. Others choose longer-term support to explore deeper patterns or process past experiences.
We check in regularly to ensure the work continues to feel helpful and aligned with your needs.
Do I have to be in crisis to start therapy?
No. Many people begin therapy simply because something in their life feels stuck, overwhelming, or out of balance.
You might notice patterns of anxiety, difficulty setting boundaries, people-pleasing, or a sense that you’ve been putting others first for a long time.
Therapy can help you understand these patterns and begin responding in ways that feel steadier and more authentic.
What is your approach to therapy?
My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in over 20 years of clinical experience.
I believe many of the patterns people struggle with today once developed as ways to cope or stay safe. In therapy, we take time to understand how those patterns formed while also building practical skills that help you stay connected to yourself in relationships.
The goal is not to change who you are, but to help you respond to life with greater clarity, steadiness, and self-trust.
What are your rates?
My current fees are:
• Intake session (90791): $285
• 60-minute session (90837): $275
• 45-minute session (90834): $250
Payment is due at the time of service.
Do you accept insurance?
PearlmanTherapy, LLC currently participates with Standard Medicare.
If you do not have Standard Medicare, you may still be able to use out-of-network benefits. I recommend contacting your insurance provider to better understand your coverage. Helpful questions to ask include:
- Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits?
- What percentage of the fee is reimbursed?
- Is there a deductible I need to meet first?
- Do I need a referral or authorization?
I provide a superbill after each session that you can submit for reimbursement.
What information will I receive for insurance reimbursement?
After each session, I’ll provide a superbill you can submit to your insurance provider. It includes everything they’ll need:
- Date of service
- Diagnosis code
- Procedure code (for example, 90834 for a 45-minute session)
- Session fee and proof of payment
If you’d rather not handle the submission process yourself, Mentaya is a third-party service that can do it for you. They charge a small fee per claim. Visit their site for current pricing and details.
What billing codes are used for sessions?
If your insurance provider asks for treatment codes, the most commonly used are:
- 90791 – Intake session
- 90837 – 60-minute session
- 90834 – 45-minute session
How do I get started?
You can reach out by phone or email to schedule a free 20 minute consultation. During that conversation we’ll talk about what you’re looking for and determine whether working together feels like a good fit.
If it does, we’ll schedule your first session and begin the process.
Still Have Questions?
If something isn’t covered here, feel free to reach out. I’m happy to answer your questions and help you decide whether this feels like the right next step.