Elaina A. Vasserman-Stokes, PhD, LPC
Child and Adult Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis
The Lourie Center for Children's Social and Emotional Wellness
Postdoctoral Fellowship
George Washington University
Assistant professor in Clinical Psychology and Counseling
Initial Contact
Please email me at drevstokes@gmail.com to schedule a free initial phone consultation and a first appointment. Initial phone consultations typically last 10-15 minutes and provide an opportunity for you to briefly share your reasons for seeking help, and for me to summarize my practice and approach.
After we set our first appointment, please fill out the forms below - these are important to starting our work together. By completing these forms ahead of time, you will allow us more time to talk during our first few sessions.
Before We Meet
I am considered an out of network provider. I recommend that you contact your insurance carrier to see if any portion of my services as an out-of-network provider will be covered and/or their out-of network reimbursement rates. I will provide you with a monthly statement that you will be able to submit to your provider for out-of-network reimbursement. Services may be covered in part by your health insurance and in full by your flexible spending account. Please check your coverage carefully by asking the following questions:
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Do I have mental health insurance benefits?
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What is my deductible and has it been met?
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How many sessions per year does my health insurance cover?
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What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
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Does my insurance cover out of network providers?
Our First Session
The first session typically last 50 minutes. I will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the concerns you are bringing to counseling as well as your background and current state of well being (mental, physical, spiritual, etc.). I will gather this information through active listening and thoughtful questioning--and sometimes through the use of more formal assessment tools we agree upon together. For children's appointments, my practice policy is to meet with the parents first.
Payment
My fees are industry standard for DC. All major credit cards accepted for payment. I have a limited number of reduced fee hours for patients with financial necessity. Don’t be afraid to ask.
Going Forward
Our first 5 meetings are considered an assessment period during which we both decide whether this therapeutic relationship is a good fit and provides a clinically appropriate level of care to help you feel supported. I believe that progress in therapy is stronger and longer lasting over time, and requires patience, commitment and a strong therapeutic relationship. This is achieved by meeting 1 -3 times per week. The length of each treatment depends on the details of each case.