Serving Greater Boston and surrounding areas | mbloom@ptbtherapy.com | (617) 863-7162
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of clients do I work with?
I enjoy working with clients who are open to exploring the therapeutic process and are willing to embrace new perspectives, try new behaviors, and adopt new ways of being. While I primarily work with individuals in their early 20s to early 40s, I am open to working with others who feel we’d be a good fit.
Common areas I specialize in include anxiety, relationship difficulties, life transitions, and self-esteem concerns. Please refer to my specialties page for more details or feel free to contact me directly.
How do I make an initial appointment?
The best way to get started is to reach out to me by email at mbloom@ptbtherapy.com or complete an initial consult form. I can also be reached by phone or text at (617) 863-7162.
What is the point of an initial consult?
It’s a free, low-pressure way for you to ask questions about my approach, share what you’re looking for in therapy, and discuss any concerns you may have. This consultation helps ensure that we’re a good match in terms of your goals and the type of support you’re seeking. If, after the consultation, we both feel confident moving forward, we can discuss next steps and schedule your first intake session.
What to expect during my initial intake?
In our first session, we’ll take time to get to know one another and begin the intake process. I take a semi-structured approach to intakes, meaning that I will ask you open-ended questions in a conversational and flexible manner. This will give me a chance to learn more about you, what brings you to therapy, and further determine if we’re a good fit for working together. We will collaborate to set clear goals for therapy and outline the steps we can take to begin making progress toward those goals.
If, after the intake session, I determine that we are not a good fit for your treatment needs, I will refund the intake fee and provide you with a list of referrals to other providers.
Where are you located? Do you offer in person or virtual sessions?
I offer both in-person and HIPAA-compliant telehealth therapy. Sessions can be fully in-person, fully virtual, or a hybrid model. I am happy to be flexible with the meeting modality (e.g., changing from in-person to virtual due to a conflict, or vice versa) if provided sufficient notice.
I am currently in the process of finalizing my office location in the Somerville/Cambridge area. In the meantime, I offer virtual sessions, which allow us to begin our work together. I’ll be sure to update this page as soon as my in-person office details are confirmed.
How long is a session and how often will I see you?
At the start of therapy, weekly 50-minute sessions are crucial for building trust and establishing a strong therapeutic relationship. Consistent sessions help create a safe, supportive environment where we can begin to work together effectively. If clinically indicated and mutually agreed upon, sessions can also be scheduled twice a week.
As therapy progresses, we’ll regularly assess whether weekly sessions are still the most beneficial for you. The frequency of sessions is flexible and can be adjusted to ensure that you’re continuing to make meaningful progress.
How much do sessions cost and how do I pay?
The cost for a 50-minute individual therapy session is $225. Please note that there is a one-time intake fee of $250 for the initial session. If you require a longer or shorter session, the fee will be adjusted accordingly. Payment is due at the time of service. I accept credit or debit cards, as well as Zelle, for your convenience.
Do you take insurance?
I do not accept insurance directly. However, I can provide you with a detailed receipt, often called a “superbill,” that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. Please check with your insurance provider to see if they offer out-of-network coverage for therapy services. If you need any assistance understanding how this process works, I’d be happy to help!
No Surprise Act and Good Faith Estimate
- Under the No Surprise Act, you are entitled to receive a Good Faith Estimate of the expected costs of your therapy services. This estimate outlines the anticipated charges for care, including the cost of sessions, and helps ensure transparency in billing. If there are any significant changes to the estimate during treatment, you will be notified. The goal of this law is to protect you from unexpected medical bills, including out-of-network costs. Please feel free to reach out if you have questions or need more information about the cost of services.
- For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises/consumers, email FederalPPDRQuestions@cms.hhs.gov, or call 1- 800-985-3059. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me directly.