Beginning Psychotherapy
About Your therapy sessions.
How do I start therapy?
When you are ready to begin therapy, you must contact our office. You can telephone us at (412) 963-6540 or use the Contact Us page to request an initial appointment. If you have specified a preference of therapists (Karen or Chuck), one of us will be able to speak with you briefly and discuss available appointment times.
After an initial appointment date and time have been made, you will receive a few forms and documents that must be completed and/or signed before your first appointment. The forms will be sent by email (or, if necessary by USPS). Soon these forms will be available on this website for you to read. If you have questions, contact Chuck Kuhn, who is therapist as well as practice manager. In addition, please provide us with either a scanned copy or photocopy of the front and back of your health insurance and/or Medicare card(s).
What should I expect?
Appointments with Karen J. Stickel, LCSW, BCD or Chuck Kuhn, LCSW, BCD run approximately 50 minutes in length. Your initial first (and sometimes second session) are for gathering personal information and to understand the nature of the issues to be addressed.
Next, you and your therapist will discuss treatment options and make a plan with mutually agreed upon goals.
When a client first begins therapy, we recommend that sessions be at least once a week for a few weeks and then you, as the client, and your therapist can decide how frequently on-going sessions ought to be.
How much does it cost and how do I pay?
Most of our clients have some or all of the expense of therapy covered by their health insurance plan, Medicare™ or TriCare™. Karen J. Stickel and Chuck Kuhn are in-network for nearly all health plans as well as many Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and the most common ones are listed on this page.
We are sorry that neither Chuck nor Karen are providers for Medicaid, if you reside in Allegheny County. Chuck, however, is a provider for Medicaid, if you reside in Westmoreland, Fayette, Washington, Greene, Indiana, Armstrong or Butler County.
Some insurance plans require the client to pay deductibles, copays or coinsurance and those fees vary from one health plan to another. We urge you to read your plan benefits booklet or call the phone number on the back of your insurance card to find out more about your payment responsibilities. Copayments and coinsurance can be paid by VISA™, MasterCard™, Discover™ or American Express™.