Frequently Asked
Questions
In This Section:
Answers to Your General Questions
How do I schedule an appointment?
Are telehealth services available?
Yes—secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth sessions are offered for individual therapy and certain follow-up consultations. Telehealth can be especially helpful for clients with mobility or geographic constraints.
For evaluations requiring standardized in-person testing, telehealth may be supplemented with on-site visits or postponed until in-office assessment is feasible.
What should I bring to my first visit?
Please bring a government-issued photo ID, insurance card (if applicable), and any relevant documents such as previous psychological reports, school evaluations, or medical records.
If you’re taking medications, a brief list of dosages is helpful. Arriving 10 minutes early allows time to complete any remaining paperwork.
What is your cancellation policy?
We require at least 24 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule an appointment without penalty. Late cancellations or no-shows may incur a fee equivalent to the session rate.
If you need to change your appointment, please call the office as soon as possible so we can offer your slot to another client and help you find an alternate time.
Answers to Your
Individual Therapy
Questions
What is individual therapy?
Individual therapy is a collaborative, one-on-one process in which Dr. Markey helps you explore your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in a safe, confidential setting. Through guided discussion and evidence-based techniques, you’ll work together to identify underlying patterns and develop strategies for coping and growth.
Over the course of treatment, you’ll set personalized goals—whether that’s reducing anxiety, managing depression, or improving relationships—and track your progress session by session. This tailored approach ensures that therapy evolves to meet your changing needs.
Who can benefit from individual therapy?
Individuals of all ages—teens through adults—facing life stressors, emotional challenges, or transitions can benefit from individual therapy. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, or interpersonal conflicts, therapy provides a dedicated space to process your experiences.
Even if you’re not in crisis, many clients seek therapy to build resilience, boost self-esteem, or gain insight into personal goals and values. Dr. Markey’s flexible approach adapts to your unique background and objectives.
What therapeutic approaches does Dr. Markey use?
What should I expect during my first session?
Your initial appointment begins with a detailed intake: you’ll discuss your personal and medical history, current concerns, and what you hope to achieve through therapy. Dr. Markey will explain the therapeutic process, confidentiality limits, and any necessary paperwork.
By the end of that visit, you and Dr. Markey will outline a preliminary treatment plan with clear goals and session frequency recommendations. You’ll leave with a sense of direction and the opportunity to ask any lingering questions.
How long are sessions and how often should I attend?
Standard therapy sessions are 50 minutes long, which allows for focused work without being overwhelming. Most clients start with weekly appointments to build momentum and consistency.
As you meet your goals, session frequency can be reduced to biweekly or monthly check-ins. This flexible scheduling ensures continuity of care while respecting your progress and time commitments.
Answers to Your
Psychological Testing
Questions
What is psychological testing?
Psychological testing refers to the administration of standardized instruments—such as cognitive assessments and personality inventories—to measure specific domains like intelligence, memory, attention, and temperament. These tools provide objective data that supplement clinical impressions.
Results are compared to normative samples, allowing Dr. Markey to pinpoint strengths and weaknesses relative to the general population. This precision aids in accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment planning.
Which tests might be administered?
Depending on your referral question, assessments may include intelligence scales (e.g., WAIS-IV), memory batteries, academic achievement tests, and personality inventories (e.g., MMPI-2). Neuropsychological tests may be used when brain function is a concern.
The test battery is customized: Dr. Markey selects instruments that best address your specific needs, ensuring efficient and relevant data collection.
How should I prepare for testing?
To optimize performance, plan for a good night’s sleep and eat a light, balanced meal beforehand. Avoid excessive caffeine or stimulants on testing days, as they can interfere with concentration.
Bring any pertinent records—such as school reports, medical documentation, or previous assessments—and arrive a few minutes early to complete intake forms.
How long does testing take?
Most testing sessions range from 2 to 4 hours, depending on the number and complexity of instruments. For longer batteries, Dr. Markey may split testing into multiple shorter sessions to minimize fatigue.
Breaks are built in to help you stay fresh, and the pace is adjusted according to your comfort and endurance.
How are test results used?
Test findings inform diagnostic impressions, highlight cognitive or personality patterns, and guide evidence-based treatment or educational accommodations. In forensic cases, results may support legal arguments or competency determinations.
Dr. Markey integrates test data with clinical observations to generate clear, actionable recommendations—whether that’s a therapy roadmap, school plan, or expert opinion for court.
Answers to Your
Psychological Evaluation
Questions
What is a psychological evaluation?
A psychological evaluation is a comprehensive assessment combining clinical interviews, collateral record reviews, and standardized tests to clarify diagnoses, guide treatment planning, or inform legal decisions. It offers an in-depth understanding of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning.
In forensic contexts, these evaluations may address competency, sanity, custody, or independent psychological opinions. In clinical settings, they help differentiate conditions—such as ADHD or mood disorders—and tailor intervention strategies.
How do I know if I need an evaluation?
Evaluations are often recommended when diagnostic uncertainty exists, when multiple conditions overlap, or when a third-party expert opinion is required (for example, by attorneys, schools, or courts). Physicians and mental health professionals may refer you for clarity on complex presentations.
You can also self-refer if you’re struggling with persistent symptoms that haven’t responded to treatment or if you need formal documentation for accommodations, disability claims, or legal proceedings.
What is involved in the evaluation process?
Dr. Markey typically dedicates 10–15 hours to each evaluation, including face-to-face interviews, thorough review of medical, educational, or legal records, administration of standardized assessment tools, and scoring and interpretation of data.
Following data collection, he writes a detailed report outlining diagnostic impressions, test results, and evidence-based recommendations. An optional feedback session can be scheduled to review findings and answer questions.
Will my results remain confidential?
Clinical evaluations adhere to standard confidentiality practices: results are shared only with you and, if you authorize, your treating providers. For forensic evaluations, however, reports are provided to the referring party (e.g., an attorney or court), and absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed.
Before beginning, Dr. Markey will discuss these distinctions and obtain informed consent, ensuring you understand who will receive your evaluation findings and under what circumstances.
How soon will I receive my report?
You can expect a comprehensive written report within 2–4 weeks after completing all assessment components. This timeframe allows for careful analysis, interpretation, and report preparation.
If you choose the feedback session, it is typically scheduled shortly after the report is finalized so you can review results, discuss recommendations, and plan next steps.
Answers to Your Payment Questions
What payment methods are accepted?
Can I use my insurance for therapeutic services?
Yes. Dr. Markey is in-network with Tricare® insurance.
If you’re planning to use your insurance, we encourage you to verify your mental health benefits directly with your insurance provider to understand any copayments, deductibles, or coinsurance that may apply. For those who prefer not to go through insurance, private pay (out-of-pocket) options are available.
Do you accept insurance for forensic services such as psychological testing or evaluations?
What out-of-pocket costs should I expect?
If you’re using insurance, your out-of-pocket costs will depend on your specific plan and may include copayments, coinsurance, or a deductible. These costs are your responsibility and are due at the time of service. Accepted payment methods include cash, cashier’s checks, money orders, and credit/debit cards. We recommend contacting your insurance company in advance to fully understand what costs may apply.
Which insurance plans are accepted?
Dr. Markey is in-network with Tricare® insurance.
If your unsure about coverage, we recommend contacting your provider directly to confirm network participation and benefit details. Our office is also happy to help guide you through the verification process.