After years of working with older adults and their family members, I realize that there is a great need for personalized practical information about aging concerns. In order to address this need, I started Embracing Aging. It is a consultation service for individuals and families, often middle aged adults, to resolve specific issues and concerns. Examples of these issues include:
- Promoting healthy aging
- Improving communication and decision making among family members
- Understanding physical and/or cognitive changes due to aging or medical concerns
- Maintaining independence while considering safety issues
- Addressing concerns about driving
- Evaluating choices of residing at home or alternatives
- Assessing financial issues due to increasing needs
- Utilizing professional and supportive services
- Maximizing Medicare and other insurance benefits
How do Consultation and Psychotherapy Differ?
Consultation usually focuses on problem-solving and taking action. We have the flexibility of having one or more sessions that might be longer than a psychotherapy session, especially if several family members are involved in the meeting.
Consultation is not psychotherapy. It doesn’t require a diagnosis and treatment plan with goals which are treated using psychotherapeutic interventions. These are the factors which are required in order to bill Medicare or another insurance company. While doing a consultation, if a person requests psychotherapy, I will make referrals to trusted colleagues. Likewise, if a person is receiving psychological services, that will remain private and confidential as it isn’t part of the consultation. It is important that I maintain my role solely as the consultant.
A consultation can be in person in my Encino office or online with people in California, the state in which I’m licensed.