Policies
Confidentiality: content of sessions is kept confidential except in situations as mandated by law or by explicit consent from clients.
Payment: billed at $180 per session, payment is expected at the time of service. Sliding scale is available for those with a demonstrated need.
Cancellations: 24-hour notice is required for all cancellations without resulting in a charge for the session. Consideration is given for emergencies.
Insurance: Megan is in-network with Aetna, BCBSTX PPO, and Medicare. If you are with another insurer, you can choose to pay out-of-pocket and can be furnished documentation to process with your insurer upon request.
FAQ's
What can I expect the first session to be like?
What is Sex Therapy?
What is your treatment philosophy and what are your treatment methods?
How do you work through your own issues?
How do you deal with religious issues in therapy?
What is your policy about contact outside of the session?
What happens when I have a crisis on the weekends or on holidays?
What is your position on medications?
Do you practice collaborative care?
Are there any topics that are off limits?
What will you expect from me?
What can I expect the first session to be like?
The initial session functions as an assessment for both you and I. This allows us to identify problems, goals, and discuss various outcomes. I also provides us with an opportunity to determine if we will "fit" in a way that is helpful for you as you take your journey. I ask a lot of questions to try and get as full a picture as possible. I include a period to discuss my thoughts on the best approach to take based on our session, and then we proceed to work together and/or I provide you with an appropriate referral to other services within the community.
Sex therapy is a unique and specialized form of counseling designed to help people address their concerns about their sexuality, sexual functioning, and expression. Many issues may arise during sex therapy, but may include problems with:
- Desire or frequency discrepancies
- Arousal or inability to reach orgasm
- Sexual anxieties and inhibitions
- Painful intercourse
- Sexual identity or orientation issues
- Premature (rapid) ejaculation
- Erection problems
- Medical problems affecting sex
- Unusual sexual desires and/or behaviors
- Sexual expression or function
Therapy will never involve any form of sexual or other inappropriate physical contact between therapist and client, nor with the performance of any sexual activity be part of any therapy session.
What is your treatment philosophy and what are your treatment methods?
I believe that people seek therapy to better understand their situations and/or to make change(s). I also know that change is incredibly stressful--even change that is desired. Believing that change is a life-long process, we have ample opportunity to learn and grow. I view growth as permanent change.
For therapy to be successful, clients have to feel safe. Thus, I do my utmost to provide a safe experience for my clients. If you feel safe, you are able to go to places that may be scary, but necessary to change and grow.
Thus, I ask questions to gain an understanding of the challenges you are facing and to help you determine how to best tackle them. I also identify patterns: in your skills, choices, opportunities. I do not tend to prescribe homework (other than thinking about certain issues) unless a situation specifically warrants it or you are enrolled in a PREPARE/ENRICH program.
How do you work through your own issues?
Like you, I am human. Thus, I am flawed and have problems. Whenever I am struggling, I try to face my issues. I often seek the input of loved ones and do my research. If I am struggling with a case, I may seek supervision from a qualified professional. Whenever I do this, it is always in a way that maintains client anonymity and confidentiality.
How do you deal with religious issues in therapy?
I address them. I believe that spirituality is a deeply personal realm in a person's life. Religion is a system of expressing and experiencing spirituality. If religion &/or spirituality come up in session, I certainly will ask questions. This is with the purpose of understanding my clients' beliefs. I do not view my role to include judging nor changing anyone else's beliefs. I ascribe to the credo of "safe, sane, & consensual."
What is your policy about contact outside of the session?
I am happy to have contact with my clients. I encourage clients to contact me if needed (whether to keep me informed or when there are problems). If a client requests a response, I always try and comply. Phone conversations in excess of 10-minutes may be billed. Excessive contact may be an issue to be dealt with in sessions.
Due to confidentiality, I never acknowledge a client as such outside of my office without express consent (sometimes a client will introduce me as their therapist, indicating consent).
What happens when I have a crisis on the weekends or on holidays?
I encourage my clients to contact me outside of sessions, as needed. If there is a life-threatening emergency, I encourage my clients to go to an emergency room or contact the police for assistance.
What is your position on medications?
I believe that medication can be an appropriate tool to help us achieve optimal health. New discoveries are made all the time showing the complex interconnectedness of mental and physical health. However, I believe that medicine is one of many tools available to us. I am not a medical doctor, so I cannot prescribe nor recommend specific medications. I do endorse each client researching their options, being an active participant in their care, and following physicians orders.
If a client is taking medications, I ask to be kept apprised of prescriptions, dosage, any restrictions, and that the client is working in conjunction with an appropriate physician to manage the medication.
Do you practice collaborative care?
I strongly recommend and enjoy collaborative care. Other practitioners (be they doctors, other counselors, professionals) can be a font of useful information and resources. I only collaborate with express consent from clients and I keep my clients informed of the information being requested and/or shared. I find that often, practitioners only have part of the picture that comprises the client's life. We can only help if we know what needs are yet unmet.
Are there any topics that are off limits?
Nothing is strictly off limits (except the exact number on my scale!), but I may decline certain conversations if I deem them counterproductive to the therapeutic goals of our work or if they would possibly compromise safety. Having worked with a range of clients (from teenagers to severely mentally ill inmates), I have had many discussions about all kinds of things. I am rarely offended. If I am, I am unafraid to speak up (in a respectful manner). I encourage clients to be open with me. I often ask about areas of life that are difficult to face and discuss. I feel it is imperative for a client to feel they can be fully themselves, examining any facet of their life.
I expect you to respect the boundaries of our sessions with regards to schedule and billing. If you can't make it or are running late, let me know. If you can't pay for your services, let me know.
I expect you to be honest.
I expect you to let me know if I say or do something that feels wrong to you. I may challenge you on it, but I respect that this is your process and I do make mistakes. If you don't let me know there's a problem, we can't work through it.
I expect you to take care of yourself. This includes getting help if you are unable to take care of yourself.
I expect you to expect the same from me.
5959 W Loop South, Suite 410
Bellaire, TX 77401
Phone: (281) 974-2726 Fax: (832) 201-9271 megan@meganpollocktherapy.com
Please note that unsolicited advertisements are not welcome at the above phone number, fax number, and/or email.
A Good Faith Estimate of costs is available upon scheduling or upon request.