Richard B. Boswell, LCSW, LLC

(314) 645-5333

Compassionate | Focused | Responsive

Richard B. Boswell, LCSW

9506 Olive Boulevard, #408

Olivette, MO 63132

Phone: (314) 645-5333

email: richard@rbboswell.com

General Information

Therapy can help!

We know that psychotherapy can be helpful. The process of psychotherapy has been well studied, showing that about 80% of the time treatment can lead to lasting positive changes.

Pick a therapist who is right for you.

Finding a therapist who is right for you is important to the success of your therapy. There are common factors in all types of psychotherapy that, research has shown, are associated with positive outcomes.

Having a strong alliance between the therapist and the client is a well-established factor for successful therapy. The alliance is defined as a collaborative relationship of trusting partners working together constructively towards an identified goal. Simply put, the client should feel comfortable with the therapist.

Another feature of successful therapy is that the client has hope that the therapist and the therapy can help. The client should have an expectation for a positive outcome.

The final factor in successful therapy is that the therapy should be focused on the specific needs and issues of the client. The client’s concerns must be dealt with directly, not avoided.

In addition to the above common factors, therapists should be licensed by the state to practice in their profession, have specific advanced training in their area of expertise, and continue to advance their training throughout their career.

All of these criteria may be reviewed with the therapist you choose to establish whether he or she is a good fit for you and your situation.

Does therapy require a psychiatric diagnosis?

A psychiatric diagnosis is necessary if you plan to use your insurance to pay for the services. The insurance company needs to know that the care is medically necessary and a diagnosis substantiates this for them. Please be aware that your diagnosis will become a permanent part of your medical record. In the case where you do not plan to use your insurance then a “medically necessary” diagnosis is not required.

Is therapy confidential?

Therapy is based on the client knowing that the issues he or she works on will be held in confidence. Your privacy is of the utmost importance. Therapists follow the guidelines in the HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices.

How is therapy paid for?

Generally speaking, there are three ways to pay for therapy.

1. “Fee for service” or “out of pocket”: The client pays the therapist

     directly. This allows you to have control over the selection of a

     therapist, the type and goals of therapy, how long therapy will

     last, and who has access to the your confidential information.

2. “Third party payment”: You and your insurance company each

     pay for a portion of the service. Your portion is known as a

     deductible or co-pay. To use third party payment, the therapist

     must have an agreement or be “in network” with the insurance

     company. Third party payment gives the health insurance

     company some control over which therapist you see, the amount

     of money or time allowed for the therapy, the type of therapy

     utilized, which affects the goals of therapy, and your confidential

     information. Once confidential information enters the company’s

     computer system, It's privacy cannot be guaranteed.

3. “Out of Network Payment” In some situations, when a therapist is

     not in your insurance company’s network, you can pay for the

     services directly and can file to receive out of network benefits

     that are paid directly to you.

In each case, you are responsible for paying for the services. You can discuss this with your therapist and come to a knowledgeable choice that is best for you and your needs.

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© 2015 - 2018  Richard B. Boswell, LCSW, L.L.C.

Call me at (314) 645-5333 to discuss your specific situation