Psychological Services
Individual Psychotherapy,Couples/Family Counseling
Goal:
- To help individuals understand and manage their mental illness to improve day-to-day life and long-term happiness, and achieve a higher level of satisfaction and healthier functioning in the relationship with partners and family members.
Participant Profile:
- Individuals who are seeking assistance in dealing with depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, trauma and other psychiatric conditions that are interfering with day-to-day functioning.
- Couples and families who are experiencing ongoing conflict and desire a higher level of relationship satisfaction. In bi-cultural couples and families, cultural issues are examined to determine the degree to which they may be contributing to the difficulty being experienced.
Format:
- Weekly sessions focus on educating individuals about their mental illness and developing the skills and support systems to effectively manage their incapacitating symptoms. For couples and families, sessions may focus on understanding why the relationship is not working well and making the changes and developing the skills needed to turn it into a highly satisfying and well-functioning relationship.
- An assessment of broad areas of functioning, personality, life-style, and strengths of each individual, as well as roles, interpersonal dynamics, areas of conflict and strengths of a couple or family will be made in the first sessions. Cognitive and behavioral techniques are used to encourage the active engagement of the individuals in making a positive change.
- For individuals taking medication for their illness, the therapist may consult with the prescribing psychiatrist prior to and during treatment. The therapist will also ask individuals to seek a consultation with a psychiatrist, when deemed necessary for a successful treatment. Please be aware that we do not provide medications.
- For Virginia and Washington, DC residents with physical impairments or busy travel schedules, it may be possible to arrange on-line sessions once a positive working-relationship is established after a period of face-to-face sessions. Technical and confidentiality issues and comfort levels related to conducting online sessions will be discussed.
Cost:
- $175 for initial intake. $175 for 45-50 minute session, $200 for 60 minute session, $225 for 80 minute session (Longer sessions are often necessary when multiple individuals are involved). Selected insurance plans may be accepted (see below "Payment Methods and Insurance Plans").
- There are usually separate fees associated with preparing written documentations (for benefits, work, court, etc) that are not covered by insurance (see below).
Hours and Clinicians:
- Dennis Hunt, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist is available to provide services in Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons. For questions please e-mail hunt.ipcs@gmail.com or call 703-309-3185.
- Ms. Caise Castle, M.A., Licensed Professional Counselor is available to provide services in Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday evenings and Sunday morning. ***Please note that her evening and weekend hours are currently full. If you wish to be put on a wait list or if you have questions please e-mail castle@ipcspositivechange.com or call 571-458-1654.
See here for professional credentials.
Assessment/Written Documentations
- We currently provide assessment/evaluation services only for selected cases. An assessment of current psychological functioning of an adult could be completed using a clinical interview and standardized assessment tools. For a child, a brief evaluation may be possible, but we do not provide comprehensive educational or neuropsychological assessments.
Cost:
- Fees are varied depending on specific requirements and will be discussed with you. Below are some guidelines.
- $100 per page for filling out forms provided.
- $350 ~ $550 for a short summary/letter describing current psychological functioning and difficulties.
- $550 ~ $2,500 for an evaluation requiring multiple assessment tools and a written report.
Payment Methods and Insurance Plans
- Individual therapy and couples/family counseling services may be reimbursed by health insurance. Please verify your benefits with the insurance company and that IPCS or Dr. Dennis J Hunt (Psychologist) is listed as an in-network provider under your plan (even if you are seeing Ms. Castle). Please bring insurance card and driver's license (or other form of identification) to the first session.
- We currently accept Aetna, BlueCross and/or BlueShield, UBH/United, Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, Cigna, and MHN/Managed Health Network. However, the coverage differs for each insurance plan. Please check with your insurance regarding the number of sessions allowed, your deductible and co-pay/co-insurance amounts (for behavioral services with a psychologist), and Dr. Hunt's provider status under your plan.
- We will bill the insurance company directly. However, you will be responsible for a co-pay or co-insurance at each session, and a deductible if it has not been met. A payment is requested by cash, check, or credit card (American Express, Visa, Master Card, Discover).
- Some insurance plans require pre-approval before you begin services. Please check with your insurance company if this is the case and obtain an authorization number and the period of time or number of sessions approved. Please let IPCS clinician know if the insurance company requires any information from us.
- You will be responsible for fees for additional services that are not covered by insurance, such as shorter communications (e-mail or phone consultation), written statements for court, workplace or school testimony, and travel and waiting time if required.
- When we schedule an appointment for you, we set aside that block of time for you exclusively. To make our practice viable, we generally require 24 hours notice for a cancellation; otherwise, you will be charged $25.
Make an appointment or request more information
If this is your first appointment,
- Download and complete the Initial Information and Informed Consent forms below.
- E-mail the Initial Information form to IPCS Clinician (Dr. Hunt: hunt.ipcs@gmail.com; Ms. Castle: castle@ipcspositivechange.com) prior to your appointment. This helps ensure our services are appropriate for you.
- Click on the "Schedule an Appointment" below and select Intake Appointment, and desired IPCS Clinician (Dr. Hunt or Ms. Castle). ***Please note that Ms. Castle's evening and weekend hours are currently full. If you wish to be put on a wait list for those time slots please e-mail castle@ipcspositivechange.com or call 571-458-1654.
- Bring the signed Informed Consent form to the initial session.
- Please call your insurance company to verify your benefits: a. your co-pay or co-insurance amount, b. unmet deductible amount, c. the number of sessions allowed for psychotherapy sessions for behavioral health and whether pre-approval is required, and d. if Dr. Hunt is in-network for your particular plan.
For on-going Therapy Sessions, please select times and your clinician by clicking on the "Schedule an Appointment" below.
Please note:
- Appointment times are usually available for the next 8 weeks. An appointment needs to be made or canceled at least 24 hours in advance. A confirmation e-mail will be sent to you, through which you can cancel or reschedule if necessary.
- Appointments are given on the first-come, first-served basis, so please try scheduling your sessions in advance.
- You can contact Dr. Hunt via e-mail at hunt.ipcs@gmail.com (preferred) or hunt@ipcspositivechange.com, and Ms. Castle at castle@ipcspositivechange.com. Please be aware of privacy limitations when using general emails. E-mails from us sometimes end up in your junk mail folder. We try to get back to you as soon as we can, but it may take a few days.
- Please be aware of fees associated with preparing written documentations that are not covered by insurance.
| initial_information_ipcs.docx |
| ipcs_informed_consent.pdf |
Please note that due to COVID-19, we are currently providing services through a virtual office (video visits). We will provide you a link to click to enter the office once the appointment is confirmed.
Please read the HIPPA policies implemented at IPCS outlined in the below document.
| hippa_privacy_disclosure.pdf |
