family therapy md
 
Below is a list if questions we commonly hear from new and prospective clients. If your question isn’t listed here, you are welcome to contact us by telephone or email. We are always happy to answer your questions.

What Is Couple and Family Therapy?

In couple (or marriage) and family therapy — which is often called CFT or MFT — the unit of treatment extends beyond the individual, even if he or she is seeking therapy alone.

What does that mean? Couple and family therapy focuses on the set of relationships in which a person has developed (their family or origin) and is currently embedded (their current family and/or couple unit). That focus makes the kind of therapy Lindsey Hoskins & Associates offers different from psychology, social work, or psychiatry because as licensed couple and family therapists, we’re trained to address the full spectrum of individual, couple, and family issues; and passionate about helping our clients find solutions to their problems in the relational contexts in which they exist.

However, if an individual within the treatment unit has been diagnosed with a mental health disorder, concurrent treatment with a psychiatrist may be necessary. In that case, we would communicate with an additional health provider to provide you with competent, collaborative care.

Bethesda Therapist

Bethesda Therapist

Bethesda TherapistWhen you make the decision to go to see an experienced therapist who serves the Bethesda community, you can expect to receive support and assistance no matter what kind of issues you are struggling with. Whether you have gone through a recent conflict with a loved one or have been dealing with an ongoing issue for years, the team at Lindsey Hoskins & Associates are eager to provide their professional help so that you can lead a more satisfying and meaningful life. With years of clinical experience, they understand the needs of their clients and guide them through their sessions. Through our experience in family and couples therapy, we have helped many clients develop more informed perspectives about themselves and their loved ones. 

How Can Therapy Help Me?

Maintaining strong connections with your partner or loved one can be exceptionally difficult. However, through therapy sessions we can help you develop insights and understand strategies for managing stress and resolving conflict. We are committed to helping you achieve personal growth. 

What Services Are Offered By a Family Therapist? 

An experienced therapist trusted by Bethesda residents offers a variety of services. Common services that a family and couples therapy therapist can assist you with include:

  • Individual therapy
  • Couples therapy
  • Premarital counseling
  • Medical family therapy

How Do I Find the Right Therapist?

Finding the right therapist can be hard. It may take a while to find a therapist that you’re comfortable with and also has the skills and experience that suits your specific needs. It can take a lot of trial and error, especially in the first few weeks. Some of the things that you should consider when you are searching for a therapist that is right for you include:

  • Level of experience. How many years of experience do they have? Do they have diverse experiences where they have helped clients of various backgrounds?
  • Clinical specialty. A therapist typically has multiple specialties or areas of interest, such as anxiety, trauma, grief, and women’s issues. You want to make sure that the therapist’s specialties align with the particular issues that you are facing. 
  • Availability. What are the therapist’s hours like? Do they offer virtual therapy in addition to in-person sessions? Many therapists have both day or evening sessions. They have flexible hours so that they can accommodate different clients. 

For many people, there is a lot of guilt and shame tied to the idea of therapy. Because of the stigma associated with therapy and mental health issues, many people avoid going to therapy at all. However, as people learn more about the importance of mental health, open discussion about therapy is becoming more encouraged. 

The decision to go to a therapist is deeply personal. However, if you are facing issues that you are struggling to deal with alone, seeking help from a professional can make a big difference. Reach out to a therapist early before your issues get worse. Schedule an appointment today with a qualified therapist that Bethesda, MD residents look to. 

Therapist in Bethesda, MD

Therapist in Bethesda, MD

Therapist in Bethesda, MDVirtual therapy gained a new level of prominence after the COVID-19 pandemic. While many therapists were happy to provide online sessions before, now it’s an essential service that makes life easier for clients and therapists alike.

If you’re concerned about your health and safety, or maybe you just don’t feel like dealing with traffic on your commute, you should reach out to Lindsey Hoskins & Associates to schedule a virtual therapy session. And if you’re still curious about whether virtual therapy is an effective tool for your personal challenges, feel free to read on and learn more about the benefits of virtual therapy, and see how a therapist in Bethesda MD can help you.

How Can Virtual Therapy Help Me?

Many people have come to rely on therapy to help them overcome certain challenges in their lives, whether it’s familial or personal issues. When the COVID pandemic started, the world was thrust into uncertainty, and the therapy field had to adapt to continue to provide services for those in need. Virtual therapy is just as effective as in person therapy, and in some cases it might even be more helpful.

How Is Virtual Therapy More Convenient?

This may seem like an obvious benefit of virtual therapy, but there’s more to convenience than a lack of a commute. When you plan a virtual therapy session, you have instant communication with your therapist and you’re able to stay comfortable during your sessions. And if you’re dealing with stress, avoiding a lengthy commute and a parking hassle will help you immensely during your appointments.

Is Virtual Therapy Confidential?

Privacy is valuable. When you attend an in-person appointment with a therapist, there’s always a chance that someone you know will see you – either during your commute, in the parking lot, or even in the waiting room. This can lead to some uncomfortable conversations, especially if you’d rather not confide in anyone but your therapist. On the other hand, when it comes to virtual therapy, you’re completely avoiding the risk of seeing anyone you know. Your sessions are between yourself and your therapist, and you can rest easy knowing your privacy is protected.

How is Virtual Therapy More Intimate?

Many people assume that because virtual therapy is through a phone or computer, it’s not as intimate as an in-person session. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Virtual therapy provides a window into your own life, and you’re free to walk your therapist through your home to show him or her more about yourself. And if your therapist is meeting you from their home, they can do the same. It can be very intimate to share information about yourself, and your sessions will benefit from the snapshot you offer into your living arrangements.

Contact Lindsey Hoskins & Associates Today

Virtual therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy, but it comes with added convenience, intimacy, and confidentiality. If you’re considering therapy, or you just want to cut out some stressful triggers in your life, virtual therapy can help you find the balance you need. Don’t hesitate to schedule your appointment today, and see how Lindsey Hoskins & Associates can help.

How Long Does Therapy Last?

Therapy is a unique process for each person and family, so there is no set length of time that works for everyone.

Those working on more severe issues (e.g., trauma, abuse, infidelity) may require more therapy. Weekly or bi-weekly sessions for three months to a year is considered average, but you may need more or less time depending on the specific issues you wish to address and the number of people involved.

Additionally, some clients find it helpful to continue therapy for less frequent “check-in” sessions after initial issues have been addressed, and this may continue for as long as it feels helpful and productive to you.

We understand that therapy is a significant investment of time and financial resources for our clients, and we don’t take this investment lightly. That’s why we are committed to helping our clients meet their goals — to guide them toward meaningful and lasting change — in the most efficient manner possible. The goal of therapy is to get to a level of understanding, connection, and functioning in which you don’t need therapy anymore. We don’t want clients for life — we want the best life for our clients. Nothing makes us happier than having a client tell us that therapy has worked for them and they don’t feel the need to keep coming to see us.

How Long Are Sessions? What Do They Cost? How May I Pay?

Clinicians at Lindsey Hoskins & Associates offer standard sessions lasting for 45-50 minutes; extended 90-minute sessions are also available. 

Extended sessions can be especially helpful for families and couples. Though much can be accomplished in just under an hour, having extra time each week can help clients make significant progress more quickly. Getting to the core of an emotional experience and sharing openly with each other is easier when time is less constraining.

First sessions for new couples and families are always 90 minutes in length. After that, your session length is up to you, and you don’t have to have the same session length each week.

Fees vary based on both the length of the session and which therapist you see. The fee for a 50-minute session starts at $150, and the fee for a 90-minute session starts at $225.

Packages

Lindsey Hoskins & Associates offers special packages for premarital counseling using the PREPARE/ENRICH program. These packages include five extended sessions (90 minutes) and an accompanying online assessment, plus all hard copy materials. Packages range from $950 to $1150, depending on which therapist is seen. Clients may choose to pay in installments, or in one lump sum.

Couples who wish to continue working together after completing the five specially priced extended sessions may continue at their therapist’s standard therapy rate.

Payment
Payment is due at the end of each therapy session. Clients may choose to pay in cash, by personal check, or by using a credit card.

Lindsey Hoskins & Associates accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.

Do You Accept Insurance?

Lindsey Hoskins & Associates does not bill insurance companies directly for several reasons.

Unfortunately, most insurance companies don’t believe treatment for relationship problems should be covered the way that medical or psychiatric care are covered. The way the system currently works, billing insurance companies requires your therapist to give you a mental health diagnosis for your insurance company to cover the cost of your therapy. Most clients we see don’t have a mental health diagnosis, and we’re not comfortable creating one when the people who seek our services are experiencing very normal couple and family relationship issues. Such a diagnosis would then become a part of your permanent record with that insurance company, and may follow you for the rest of your life and create difficulties in receiving future care or coverage.

Billing an insurance company also requires us to provide details about our work together to an employee or group of employees at the insurance company, who would then have a role in making decisions about your case (e.g., advising what kind of treatment we should provide, how long you should be allowed to come for therapy, etc.).

We think decisions about our work together should be made by you!

We’re happy to provide you with a statement of paid services, which you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. Many of our clients are successful in receiving reimbursement in this way, though it is usually not for 100% of the fee. If you are covered by a PPO, you may be able to use your out-of-network reimbursement options. Please contact your insurance provider directly to explore this option.

When Do You See Clients? How Soon can I Come to See You?

Lindsey Hoskins, PhD, LCMFT

Lindsey sees clients in both the Bethesda MD and Sterling VA offices. Bethesda office hours are Sunday (daytime), Monday (day and evening), and Thursday (evening); Sterling office hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings. Daytime appointments in Sterling may be available upon request.

Kara Smith, MS, LCMFT

Tuesday (daytime and evening) & Thursday (daytime).

Shy Porter, MS, LGMFT

Sunday (daytime) and Monday (afternoon/evening).

Hannah Lindsay, MSW

Weekday mornings; limited evening availability.

Janine Jolly-DeMars, MS

Janine sees clients in the Bethesda MD office; Daytime: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday; Evening: Tuesday & Wednesday.

How May I Schedule A Complimentary Phone Consultation, Or My First Appointment?

The easiest way to set up an appointment for an in-office visit or a telephone consultation is to call our office directly and speak to our scheduling staff. They can assist you in identifying a therapist that meets your needs in terms of clinical expertise, availability, and session fees. Please call the main practice telephone number (240) 752-7650  or email [email protected]. Our team will be happy to answer any questions you might have, and schedule a telephone consultation or your first appointment.

Lindsey Hoskins, PhD, LCMFT
If, after reviewing the information on our website, you would like to schedule a time to speak or meet with Lindsey, you may call the scheduling staff or reach out to Lindsey directly. Please call (240) 752-7650, ext. 2, or e-mail [email protected]. When we connect, we will discuss your goals for therapy and decide together whether pursuing therapy together will suit your needs. If you decide you would like to begin therapy, you will move forward by scheduling your first appointment.

Kara Smith, MS, LCMFT
To schedule with Kara, you may call her directly at (240) 206-1509, ext. 3, or e-mail [email protected]. Kara will be happy to talk with you about how she can help you reach your goals, and to schedule an appointment at a time convenient for you and your partner/family.

Shy Porter, MS, LGMFT

If you would like to schedule a complimentary telephone consultation or first appointment with Shy, you may call her directly at  (240) 752-7650, ext. 6, or e-mail [email protected]. Shy will be happy to speak with you about how she can help you reach your goals, and to schedule an appointment at a time convenient for you and your partner/family.

Hannah Lindsay, MSW

If you would like to schedule a complimentary telephone consultation or first appointment with Shy, you may call her directly at 703-951-6409, ext. 6, or e-mail [email protected].

Janine Jolly-DeMars, MS, LGMFT

If you would like to schedule a complimentary telephone consultation or first appointment with Shy, you may e-mail [email protected].

Where Is Your Office, and Where Can I Park?

Lindsey Hoskins & Associates is located in downtown Bethesda, Maryland. The address is 4905 Del Ray Avenue, Suite 301, Bethesda MD 20814. The office is easily accessed from all over the DC metro area, and conveniently located just a few blocks from the Bethesda Metro station (the red-line) and within easy driving distance of I-270 and I-495. The nearest major intersection is Old Georgetown Road and Arlington Road. If you are driving to the office, the easiest way to get to the building is to turn on to Del Ray Avenue from Old Georgetown Road. #4905 is a light-colored brick building on the Northeast side of the street (on your left if you are coming from Old Georgetown Road). Please refer to the below map, which will direct you to Google Maps. When you arrive at the building, please come in the front door, up the elevator or stairs to the third floor, and all the way to the end of the hall on your left to suite 301.You will enter into our waiting room, and your therapist will meet you there.

Parking: There are a variety of parking options located within easy walking distance of our building:

  • Meters on Del Ray Avenue or Norfolk Avenue – cost is $1/hour. Payment is accepted via coins, or through the Montgomery County ParkNow! system (requires you to set up an account, but then you can pay by phone or using a SmartPhone app). Payment is required from 9am until 10pm, Monday through Saturday, except county holidays. There is a 2-hour limit for parking at these meters.
  • Auburn/Del Ray Garage — located at the corner of Del Ray Avenue and Old Georgetown Road. Cost: $0.80/hour on level 2 or higher. Garage has meters for payment via coin or Montgomery County ParkNOW system. Parking is free on weekends (including Saturdays) and county holidays. Note that parking is more expensive and is limited to 2 hours on the bottom two floors; longer term parking is available on higher levels.
  • Please DO NOT park in the lot located behind our building. These spaces are reserved for permit-holders and your car is at risk for being towed.

MD Office Address
Lindsey Hoskins & Associates, LLC

4905 Del Ray Avenue, Suite 301,
Bethesda, MD 20814
Tel: 240-752-7650