Affordable online counseling Life-balance-wellbeing
As a business woman & mother or two, I know the challenges you face. Having time for you, your family, friends, and work can be a struggle – therapy should not be. That is why I started Forward Focus Online Therapy, affordable online counseling. I provide support, a fresh perspective, as well as practical, evidence based interventions that build on your strengths to help you achieve your goals. Since our work with be online or phone you get the added benefit of working with an experienced psychologist, while you are in your preferred location, at a convenient time! No worries about child/eldercare, traffic, parking, or any of the other complications that may come from traditional therapy.
Change can be challenging, scary even but with it come endless new possibilities. The skills and techniques you may develop can help you feel prepared to meet the demands of today’s world. My goal is helping you achieve your goals, by meeting you where you are & building on your strengths. I strive to make you feel understood and to help you effect the change you desire.
Online counseling can help and in my experience, there are three ingredients needed for effective therapy: a desire for change, evidence based therapy and a positive relationship with your therapist. If you want a therapist who will not be overwhelmed by anything you say in therapy, that you can trust, and who will be both direct and kind then this may be the right place for you. If you want a therapist who you can trust, & who will be both direct & kind then this may be the right place for you.
Taking this first step can be really difficult but you can do it. Move forward to future that you want.
Adoption
Anxiety & Worry
Autism spectrum
Anger/frustration
Behavioral Consultation/Parenting
Coping & Communication
Sadness & Depression
Communication
Parenting
Emotional Control
healthy relationships/boundaries
Grief & Loss
Stress
Self Harm
Self Harm
Trauma
Trauma & Self Harm
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, La Salle University
Master's Degree in Psychology, The New School for Social Research
Bachelor's degree in Psychology, West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Master's Degree in Human Services Psychology, La Salle University
Licensed Professional Counselor Pennsylvania, USA
Licensed Psychologist in Pennsylvania, USA
PsyPact License 1/22/2021
PSYPACT approved for online therapy as a psychologist in the following states: Alabama – (Effective June 1, 2021), Arizona, Arkansas - (Effective end of July 2021), Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas (Effective 1/1/22 Kentucky - (Effective June 29, 2021), Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio - (Effective July 26, 2021), Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia - (Effective July 6, 2021)
Forward Focus Therapy specializes in weekend and evening appointments
How can online therapy/counseling help me?
I have seen the powerful effect of therapy my personal life and I’ve also been a witness to the positive impact it has on others. counseling is most effective when you are motivated and you have a positive relationship with your therapist. Therapy is that it is based on what you want and need. It can assist in problem solving strategies, it can help improve your current communication, social and relationship skills, it can help you develop new tools for dealing with life’s stressors and it can help you manage your emotions better. You can gained increased self-confidence, resiliency for future stressful situations, and increased self-efficacy.
How do I contact you?
Appointments can be made in several ways. You can schedule a consultation, session or send a secure message through the portal! You can call 484-558-0343. Please leave a message and I will call you back as soon as possible.
What is a client portal?
The client portal is a place where you can:
Schedule appointments
Pay for sessions
Send secure messages and texts
Send us documents and views notes and documents sent to you
You can also sign documents
View you appointments
Start a video session
The client portal is encrypted and redundant and data there is backed up hourly!
At this time we do not have physical office, we see individuals online for counseling throughout Pennsylvania and the following states via PsyPact:
Arizona – AZ HB 2503 (Enacted on 5/17/2016)
Colorado - CO HB 1017 (Enacted 4/12/2018)
Delaware - DE HB 172 (Enacted 6/27/2019)
Georgia - GA HB 26 (Enacted 4/23/2019)
Illinois - IL HB 1853 (Enacted 8/22/2018)
Missouri - MO HB 1719/MO SB 660 (Enacted 6/1/2018)
Nebraska - NE L 1034 (Enacted 4/23/2018)
Nevada - NV AB 429 (Enacted on 5/26/2017)
New Hampshire- NH SB 232 (Enacted 7/10/2019)
Oklahoma - OK HB 1057 (Enacted 4/29/2019)
Pennsylvania - PA SB 67 (Enacted 5/8/2020)
Texas - TX HB 1501 (Enacted 6/10/2019)
Utah - UT SB 106 (Enacted on 3/17/2017)
Virginia - VA SB 760 (Enacted 4/11/2020)
North Carolina - NC 361 (Enacted 7/1/2020) *Effective 3/1/2021
Initial 10 minute consultation is Free
50-minute session is 80.00
40-minute session is 65.00
There is a 15% discount when two sessions are booked and paid for in advance.
This discount is only for individuals paying the standard session rates.
How often do people attend therapy?
Most people attend once a week but you may attend more or less frequently based upon your needs.
When do you have time available?
You can visit my confidential portal to see when we have availability. Most sessions occur during the evening or weekend!
I am an out-of-network therapy provider which means that you pay the full amount up front and may be reimbursed by your insurance plan. You will need to contact your insurance company to determine the percentage of coverage. I can provide you an invoice for you to submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. Please check with your provider for details about your eligibility and coverage.
**Please be aware that I have no control over the confidentiality of your information once it is received by your insurance company.
Do you keep what we discuss in therapy confidential?
Therapists are bound by law to maintain confidentiality. This means is that anything we discuss in person or in any communication, can’t be discussed with anyone else without your written consent. There are limits to confidentiality:
Threats of serious bodily harm to another person or persons, which must be reported to the police and the intended victim(s).
In addition, if you choose to cover any portion of your therapy costs with insurance, then your insurance company will have access to the dates of your appointments and to your diagnosis.
What should I expect on my consultation or first session?
You will need a computer, tablet or phone that has video capability for a tele-therapy session or a phone for a telephone session. I will be in a secure location free from others and I ask that you do the same. During the consultation we will talk about your therapy needs and what you would like to work on. I will listen closely to you to develop an understanding of both the hopes and concerns that bring you to therapy and to answer any questions that you have. You will get a sense of how we work together and whether or not we are a good fit. After that, you can take time to think about it or you can schedule a session. Once you have scheduled a session you will be asked to complete a HIPAA form, consent for Tele-therapy, and an intake form.
How long will counseling take?
Counseling varies depending on the individual and the goals of therapy. Some clients may achieve their goals in a few sessions while others it may take years. We will identify your goals for therapy together and work at a pace that feels comfortable. Insurance may authorize a certain amount of sessions and we would have to work within those parameters. Otherwise, we would consistently assess the progress toward your identified goals and determine when they are achieved and when therapy feels complete.
If you are ready to begin the journey, contact me. You can schedule a consultation, session or send a secure message through the portal! Please leave a message and I will call you back as soon as possible.
This notice describes how protected health information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information. Please review it carefully.
Privacy is a very important concern for all those who come to this office and who work here. It is also complicated, because of the many federal and state laws and our professional ethics. We are required to abide by the terms of our Notice of Privacy Practices currently in effect. Each time you visit us a health care provider, information is collected about you and your physical and mental health. It may be information about your past, present, or future health or conditions, or the tests or treatment you got from us or from others, or about payment for health care. All this information is called “PHI,” which stands for “protected health information” which means its privacy must be protected. This information goes into your medical or health care records. Protected health information may be information about health care we provide to you. If you have any questions, your therapist will be happy to help you understand our procedures and your rights. When you understand what is in your record and what it is used for, you can make better decisions about what other persons or agencies should have this information, when, and why.
How we use and disclose your protected health information (PHI) with your consent
We will use the information we collect about you mainly to provide you with treatment; to arrange payment for our services; and for some other business activities called, in the law, “health care operations.” We will ask you to sign a separate consent form to show that you understand these ways we handle your information. If you do not agree and won’t sign this consent form, we will not treat you. If we want to use or send, share, or release your PHI for other purposes, we will discuss this with you so you fully understand it, and ask you to sign a release-of-information form to allow this.
Your Rights
When it comes to your health information, you have certain rights. (let us know if you need help with any of them)
Get an electronic or paper copy of your medical record
You can ask to see or get an electronic or paper copy of your medical record and other health information we have about you.
We will provide a copy or a summary of your health information, usually within 30 days of your request. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee.
You also have a right to have a copy of this notice
Ask to correct your medical record
You can ask us to correct health information about you that you think is incorrect or incomplete. We may say “no” to your request, but we’ll tell you why in writing within 60 days.
Request confidential communications
You can ask us to contact you in a specific way (for example, home or office phone) or to send mail to a different address. We will say “yes” to all reasonable requests.
Ask us to limit what we use or share
You can ask us not to use or share certain health information for treatment, payment, or our operations.
We are not required to agree to your request, and we may say “no” if it would affect your care.
If you pay for a service or health care item out-of-pocket in full, you can ask us not to share that information for the purpose of payment or our operations with your health insurer.
We will say “yes” unless a law requires us to share that information.
Get a list of those with whom we’ve shared information
You can ask for a list (accounting) of the times we’ve shared your health information for six years prior to the date you ask, who we shared it with, and why.
We will include all the disclosures except for those about treatment, payment, and health care operations, and certain other disclosures (such as any you asked us to make). We’ll provide one accounting a year for free but will charge a reasonable, cost-based fee if you ask for another one within 12 months.
Get a copy of this privacy notice
You can ask for a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive the notice electronically. We will provide you with a paper copy promptly. You can ask for a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive the notice electronically. We will provide you with a paper copy promptly.
Choose someone to act for you
If you have given someone medical power of attorney or if someone is your legal guardian, that person can exercise your rights and make choices about your health information.
We will make sure the person has this authority and can act for you before we take any action.
File a complaint if you feel your rights are violated
You can complain if you feel we have violated your rights by contacting us 64 East Uwchlan Ave Suite 110, Exton PA 19341 // You can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights by sending a letter to 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201, calling 1-877-696-6775, or visiting www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/.
We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
Your Choices
For certain health information, you can tell us your choices about what we share. If you have a clear preference for how we share your information in the situations described below, tell us what you want us to do, & we will follow your instructions.
In these cases, you have both the right and choice to tell us to:
Share information with your family, close friends, or others involved in your care
Share information in a disaster relief situation
Include your information in a hospital directory
Contact you for fundraising efforts
If you are not able to tell us your preference, for example if you are unconscious, we may go ahead and share your information if we believe it is in your best interest. We may also share your information when needed to lessen a serious and imminent threat to health or safety.
In these cases we never share your information unless you give us written permission
Marketing purposes, sale of your information & most sharing of psychotherapy notes
In the case of fundraising
We may contact you for fundraising efforts, but you can tell us not to contact you again.
Uses & Disclosure
We typically share information in the following ways:
Treat you
We can use your health information and share it with other professionals who are treating you.
Run our organization
We can use and share your health information to run our practice, improve your care, and contact you when necessary
Billing
We can use and share your health information to bill and get payment from health plans or other entities.
We are allowed or required to share your information in other ways – usually in ways that contribute to the public good, such as public health and research. We have to meet many conditions in the law before we can share your information for these purposes. For more information see: www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/consumers/index.html
Help with public health and safety
We can share health information about you for certain situations such as: • Preventing disease• Helping with product recalls• Reporting adverse reactions to medications• Reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence• Preventing or reducing a serious threat to anyone’s health or safety
Research We can use or share your information for health research.
Comply with laws We will share information about you if state or federal laws require it, including with the Department of Health and Human Services if it wants to see that we’re complying with federal privacy law.
Respond to organ and tissue donation and requests
We can share health information about you with organ procurement organizations.
Work with medical examiner/funeral director
We can share health information with a coroner, medical examiner, or funeral director when an individual dies.
Address workers’ compensation, law enforcement, and other government requests
We can use or share health information about you:
For workers’ compensation claims
For law enforcement purposes or with a law enforcement official
With health oversight agencies for activities authorized by law
For special government functions such as military, national security, and presidential protective services
Respond to lawsuits and legal actions
We can share health information about you in response to a court or administrative order, or in response to a subpoena.
Our Responsibilities
We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information.
We will let you know promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information.
We must follow the duties and privacy practices described in this notice and give you a copy of it.
We will not use or share your information other than as described here unless you tell us we can in writing. If you tell us we can, you may change your mind at any time. Let us know in writing if you change your mind. For more information see: www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/consumers/noticepp.html.Changes to the Terms of This Notice.
We can change the terms of this notice, and the changes will apply to all information we have about you. The new notice will be available upon request, in our office, and on our web site.
This Notice of Privacy Practices applies to the following organizations.
All providers, contractors and employees
The effective date of this notice is 09/27/2020
This notice describes how protected health information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information. Please review it carefully.
Privacy is a very important concern for all those who come to this office and who work here. It is also complicated, because of the many federal and state laws and our professional ethics. We are required to abide by the terms of our Notice of Privacy Practices currently in effect. Each time you visit us a health care provider, information is collected about you and your physical and mental health. It may be information about your past, present, or future health or conditions, or the tests or treatment you got from us or from others, or about payment for health care. All this information is called “PHI,” which stands for “protected health information” which means its privacy must be protected. This information goes into your medical or health care records. Protected health information may be information about health care we provide to you. If you have any questions, your therapist will be happy to help you understand our procedures and your rights. When you understand what is in your record and what it is used for, you can make better decisions about what other persons or agencies should have this information, when, and why.
How we use and disclose your protected health information (PHI) with your consent
We will use the information we collect about you mainly to provide you with treatment; to arrange payment for our services; and for some other business activities called, in the law, “health care operations.” We will ask you to sign a separate consent form to show that you understand these ways we handle your information. If you do not agree and won’t sign this consent form, we will not treat you. If we want to use or send, share, or release your PHI for other purposes, we will discuss this with you so you fully understand it, and ask you to sign a release-of-information form to allow this.
Your Rights
When it comes to your health information, you have certain rights. (let us know if you need help with any of them)
Get an electronic or paper copy of your medical record
You can ask to see or get an electronic or paper copy of your medical record and other health information we have about you.
We will provide a copy or a summary of your health information, usually within 30 days of your request. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee.
You also have a right to have a copy of this notice
Ask to correct your medical record
You can ask us to correct health information about you that you think is incorrect or incomplete. We may say “no” to your request, but we’ll tell you why in writing within 60 days.
Request confidential communications
You can ask us to contact you in a specific way (for example, home or office phone) or to send mail to a different address. We will say “yes” to all reasonable requests.
Ask us to limit what we use or share
You can ask us not to use or share certain health information for treatment, payment, or our operations.
We are not required to agree to your request, and we may say “no” if it would affect your care.
If you pay for a service or health care item out-of-pocket in full, you can ask us not to share that information for the purpose of payment or our operations with your health insurer.
We will say “yes” unless a law requires us to share that information.
Get a list of those with whom we’ve shared information
You can ask for a list (accounting) of the times we’ve shared your health information for six years prior to the date you ask, who we shared it with, and why.
We will include all the disclosures except for those about treatment, payment, and health care operations, and certain other disclosures (such as any you asked us to make). We’ll provide one accounting a year for free but will charge a reasonable, cost-based fee if you ask for another one within 12 months.
Get a copy of this privacy notice
You can ask for a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive the notice electronically. We will provide you with a paper copy promptly. You can ask for a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive the notice electronically. We will provide you with a paper copy promptly.
Choose someone to act for you
If you have given someone medical power of attorney or if someone is your legal guardian, that person can exercise your rights and make choices about your health information.
We will make sure the person has this authority and can act for you before we take any action.
File a complaint if you feel your rights are violated
You can complain if you feel we have violated your rights by contacting us 64 East Uwchlan Ave Suite 110, Exton PA 19341 // You can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights by sending a letter to 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201, calling 1-877-696-6775, or visiting www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/.
We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
Your Choices
For certain health information, you can tell us your choices about what we share. If you have a clear preference for how we share your information in the situations described below, tell us what you want us to do, & we will follow your instructions.
In these cases, you have both the right and choice to tell us to:
Share information with your family, close friends, or others involved in your care
Share information in a disaster relief situation
Include your information in a hospital directory
Contact you for fundraising efforts
If you are not able to tell us your preference, for example if you are unconscious, we may go ahead and share your information if we believe it is in your best interest. We may also share your information when needed to lessen a serious and imminent threat to health or safety.
In these cases we never share your information unless you give us written permission
Marketing purposes, sale of your information & most sharing of psychotherapy notes
In the case of fundraising
We may contact you for fundraising efforts, but you can tell us not to contact you again.
Uses & Disclosure
We typically share information in the following ways:
Treat you
We can use your health information and share it with other professionals who are treating you.
Run our organization
We can use and share your health information to run our practice, improve your care, and contact you when necessary
Billing
We can use and share your health information to bill and get payment from health plans or other entities.
We are allowed or required to share your information in other ways – usually in ways that contribute to the public good, such as public health and research. We have to meet many conditions in the law before we can share your information for these purposes. For more information see: www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/consumers/index.html
Help with public health and safety
We can share health information about you for certain situations such as: • Preventing disease• Helping with product recalls• Reporting adverse reactions to medications• Reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence• Preventing or reducing a serious threat to anyone’s health or safety
Research We can use or share your information for health research.
Comply with laws We will share information about you if state or federal laws require it, including with the Department of Health and Human Services if it wants to see that we’re complying with federal privacy law.
Respond to organ and tissue donation and requests
We can share health information about you with organ procurement organizations.
Work with medical examiner/funeral director
We can share health information with a coroner, medical examiner, or funeral director when an individual dies.
Address workers’ compensation, law enforcement, and other government requests
We can use or share health information about you:
For workers’ compensation claims
For law enforcement purposes or with a law enforcement official
With health oversight agencies for activities authorized by law
For special government functions such as military, national security, and presidential protective services
Respond to lawsuits and legal actions
We can share health information about you in response to a court or administrative order, or in response to a subpoena.
Our Responsibilities
We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information.
We will let you know promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information.
We must follow the duties and privacy practices described in this notice and give you a copy of it.
We will not use or share your information other than as described here unless you tell us we can in writing. If you tell us we can, you may change your mind at any time. Let us know in writing if you change your mind. For more information see: www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/consumers/noticepp.html.Changes to the Terms of This Notice.
We can change the terms of this notice, and the changes will apply to all information we have about you. The new notice will be available upon request, in our office, and on our web site.
This Notice of Privacy Practices applies to the following organizations.
All providers, contractors and employees
The effective date of this notice is 09/27/2020
Welcome, I am Dr. Gina and I have over 20 years of experience in teaching people effective strategies to achieve more satisfaction out of their lives.
I received my doctorate in Clinical Psychology from La Salle University in May 2005. I completed my Internship and post doctoral experience in Crisis and Multicultural psychology in Houston, Texas.
I developed clinical expertise by seeking out diverse work and training experiences including outpatient settings, in home services, residential treatment centers, crisis centers, and schools. Most recently I worked at Erik Young Counseling as a psychologist and I currently work with youth in a residential settings for over 10 years. I have worked with children, teens, adults, couples and families.
Although I have a wide range of experiences I currently am specializing in the following:
Adoption
Anger Management
Anxiety
Autism Spectrum/Asperger
Behavior management
Depression
Grief and loss
Skill building: Coping, communication, and social skills.
Stress Reduction & relaxation