Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do You Offer Online Appointments? 
Yes, I offer online sessions through an encrypted, HIPAA-compliant web portal. Online sessions may be covered by insurance. Online sessions are also eligible for Health-Savings Account and Flexible-Spending Account reimbursement.

Q: What Is Your Approach To Treating Anxiety?
During our first meeting, I’ll hear your story including family background, social history, medical history, and current symptoms. We’ll also discuss a plan based on your individual needs. Some or all of the following are usually included in anxiety treatment:
– Education to understand the role of the autonomic nervous system and fight/flight response in mood regulation, and the role of behavioral responses in amplifying or minimizing anxiety and panic attacks
– Understanding and managing the physical symptoms of anxiety
– Learning to identify cognitive processes that contribute to anxiety, and how to get control over them
– Distress tolerance training and relaxation skills training
– Mindfulness training
– Identifying and setting boundaries, and Assertiveness Training
– Exposure Plans, when the symptoms of anxiety include avoidance of people, places, or situations

Q: Do I Have to Take Medication If I Have Anxiety?
Symptoms can frequently be reduced without medications, and my goal is to help you to develop the skills and tools to manage anxiety and related conditions regardless of whether medication is used. However, some people find more success and better symptom relief from both medication and therapy.

Q: Do you offer therapy for other issues, or just anxiety?
Yes, I have significant experience with many other issues that people typically seek therapy for including: depression and other mood disorders, grief and loss, healing from past trauma, Family-of-origin issues, and life transitions.

Q: What Is Mindfulness? 
Simply stated, mindfulness is about being in the here-and-now, instead of getting distracted by the past or the future. Mindfulness helps develop awareness of our habitual mental and emotional processes and can be an effective way to gain control of anxiety, stress, depression, emotional eating and addictive behaviors, and other life challenges. I’ve been specializing in this type of work since 2003 and am excited to offer it, as I know it to be a highly effective tool for relieving suffering.

Q: Do You Take Insurance? 
I’m an in-network provider with Premera Blue Cross (plus some other Blue Cross/Blue Shield plans) and Aetna. If you have questions about whether my services are covered by another insurance plan, please contact me at 206-313-1921 or email me at madeleine@madeleine-lewis.com

Q: What are your Fees?
My standard fee is $130 for a 55-60 minute session. The fee for the initial appointment (diagnostic evaluation) is $175. For those without insurance coverage, I do offer a limited number of reduced fee or sliding scale appointments, though there may be a wait list. Please contact me to find out about current availability at madeleine@madeleine-lewis.com, or 206-313-1921.