Joseph Winn MSW, LICSW, CST

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Psychotherapy Services

Having practiced psychotherapy for almost two decades, I have come to believe there is no "one size fits all" in the treatment of human beings. Every person has a unique story, life experience, strengths and challenges that have contributed to the development of who they are. Since each person is different, therapy must is always tailored to the unique needs of the individual, couple, or family, that wishes to change some aspect of their lives. In this way an effective therapy evolves in several phases that invite a full range of emotion, reflection, and personal growth.
 
The first stage of an effective treatment is the development of trust, in which both parties agree on the issues that need to be addressed, and choose to work together towards a common goal. Secondly, we begin to understand, and challenge, what has become problematic in relationship towards self and others. Thirdly, we work together to develop new skills that allow one to change problematic beliefs, and patterns of behavior, while moving towards healing mind and spirit. Lastly, if our working relationship has been good enough, one utilizes the insights, skills, and tools, that therapy has offered in the service of taking full responsibility for shaping the direction of the life one wants to live.
 
While I draw from many theoretical models, the focus of therapy will remain on your needs and what works for you.
 
Services offered:
Individual psychotherapy
Couples therapy
Family therapy
 
Clinical Specialties include:
Recovering from Childhood Abuse and Neglect: Dealing with the aftermath of these painful experience

Adjustment Difficulties: Dealing with the challenges and stresses of everyday life and the emotional struggles that present with normative life transitions.
 
Compulsive sexual behavior: Issues related to multiple failed attempts to discontinue sexual behavior that results in emotional pain, family and employment disruption and that undermine interpersonal and emotional intimacy.
 
Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual coming out issues: Addressing and challenging the fears, internalized homophobia and challenges of accepting ones sexual orientation, and discussing the possibility of sharing this information with family, friends loved one and employers. This also applies to gay men and lesbian women coming out of heterosexual relationships.
 
Relationship with Partner, Family and Children: Dealing with the normative, and at times difficult, struggles that come with close emotional connection to those in ones life and emotional inner circle.
 
Sexual abuse: Addressing the Issues related to the violation of sexual abuse and rape. These services are offered to both men and women who have been the victims of childhood sexual abuse as well as those who have been sexual assaulted in adulthood, and exploring how to empower oneself in the here and now, moving from victim to survivor and learning to trust and love in intimate relationships.
 
Sex therapy: Working with all couples and individuals; heterosexual, gay and lesbian and trans-gendered, who have concerns, anxieties or questions about sexual practices, desire and performance issues as well as the role of sex and sexuality in their lives.
 
Sexuality issues: Struggles related to speaking about sex and sexuality, addressing concerns about sexual practices and sexual styles in addition to issues that one feels unsure about discussing or explore in a safe, non-judgmental and supportive environment.
 
Substance Abuse: Building on early recovery and creating supportive community resources to address the impact of healing from chemical dependency, as well as making peace and forgiving oneself for the damage that chemical dependency had created in ones life, relationships and career.
 
Survivors of Domestic Violence: Re-building the ability to trust and love in intimate relationships while allowing oneself to challenge the negative after effects and beliefs about oneself that may have arisen from being battered and having ones children witness this violence.
 
Transgender populations: Issues related to exploring the challenges and struggles related to accepting ones true gender identity, and discussing possible routes to address these challenges and struggles.
  
Should you have any questions regarding my practice, or would like to discuss the possibility of our working together, please feel free to contact me at the above provided telephone numbers, or you may email me at; josephwinnlicsw@josephwinnlicsw.com
 

Self pay rates 

For those choosing to pay out of pocket for psychotherapy services, my self pay fee is $140.00 an hour.

I also provide a reasonable sliding scale fee.

 

Insurance plans

I only all Blue Cross Blue Shield Policies 

 

I accept any insurance that offers an Out of Network Benefit, generally indicated by the following initials POS, PPP, or PPO.

Should you have an out of network component to your insurance policy - I will bill you directly for therapy services and provide you with a monthly statement indicating the expenses that you have incurred. The insurance company will then reimburse you for the cost of these services. Please contact your insurance provider directly to learn of the details, requirements and stipulations as well as the financial conditions of your out of network benefits prior to our first session. 

 

Practice Policies:

Length and frequency of treatment:

Psychotherapy involves regular sessions 50 minutes in length, at least once weekly. Duration and frequency of psychotherapy varies depending on the issues that are presented and your individual needs. In beginning with new clients, I schedule 4 consecutive sessions for purposes of assessment. At the end of this assessment period, I will discuss with you my recommendations for therapy and at that time we will begin to create a treatment plan that will become the focus of your therapy. However, if at the completion of my assessment I feel that that there are issues beyond my areas of expertise, I reserve the right to refer you to a more appropriate practitioner.

 

Confidentiality:

The Information that you share with me will be kept strictly confidential, and will not be disclosed without your written consent. However, by law, there are some circumstances which will require me to break that confidentiality. These circumstances include any or all of the following;

Disclosure of intent to harm yourself;

Disclosure of intent to harm another;

Disclosure that minor children are being placed at risk e.g., sexual or physical abuse and / or neglect.

Disclosure that elderly and / or handicapped people are being placed at risk e.g., sexual, physical or economic abuse and / or neglect.

If I need to discuss your treatment with a colleague, I will disguise all identifying information, including the use of a pseudonym.

 

Fee policies:

My fee for therapy sessions is $140.00 per 50 minute hour. If you are using your insurance there may be some form of co-payment based on your insurance providers determination. Payment is expected at the end of each session. I offer a reasonable sliding scale fee as well, with the lowest payment option being $90.00 per session. Payment/co-payments are due in full at the time of the session.

 

Missed Sessions:

If you need to cancel an appointment, please provide me with at least 24 hours notice; otherwise, you will be charged my full fee of $140.00 for the missed session. Re-scheduling sessions also requires at least 24 hours notice. Bounced checks will result in a $25 processing fee.

 

No Show Policy:

I will be unable to reschedule a session after 2 consecutive no show sessions. You will be billed for any scheduled sessions that you miss.

 

Phone and emergency contact:

If you need to contact me by phone, DO NOT HESITATE to contact me at (617) 461-8479. If I am not available, you may leave a confidential message at either (617) 461-8479 or (978) 897-1140. I am usually able to return phone calls the day they are made. You will not be charged for brief phone calls. If we have a scheduled phone session you will be billed at the regular rate. Phone calls lasting longer than 15 minutes will be billed at a prorated fee. If, during an emergency, you feel that you cannot safely wait for my return call please go to the nearest emergency room for immediate attention.

 

Freedom to terminate therapy:

If at any time you feel that the treatment is not progressing as you wished, please do not hesitate to inform me of this. I will do my best to accommodate your needs, and resolve any issues that you feel need to be addressed. You have the right to end therapy at any time. If you wish, I will give you the names of other qualified psychotherapists.