Q: How do I schedule the appointment with you?
You can reach me by phone at 978-482-7480 or email me at gracechen@drgracechenlmft.com. You can also submit the request on my “Individual Therapy” and “Couple Therapy” pages. There is also a contact form in the bottom of this page.
Q: Do you offer consultation?
I do offer 15-min consultation. You don’t have to make an appointment. Please call between 12-1 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, if you wish to have a phone consultation to determine whether my service fits your needs.
Q: What is the process for scheduling an appointment with you?
- Please identify what time of the day and what day of the week, and when you would like to start receiving services. I will send you my available time that fits your time frame. I also request you leave your email and phone number to set up my client portal.
- Once we have a date and time for the intake, I will send you an email link to complete all the intake paperwork online. You fill out the paperwork at least 48 hours before the appointment so that I can review it before our session.
- You show up at the time of your appointment.
Q: What is your office hour?
Monday & Tuesday, 9-6 pm, and Wednesday & Thursday, 9- 12 pm. Wednesday and Thursday afternoons are available when I don’t have training.
I only accept clients for in-person office sessions for clinical services.
Q: What is a Therapy Intensive?
A therapy intensive is a condensed block of therapy, ranging from 90 minutes to 6 hours. It lets individuals or couples bypass the typical 50-minute weekly session format and provides dedicated time for deep trauma processing or relationship repair without interruptions.
Q: How do I know if an intensive is right for me or my relationship?
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For individuals, it can help those who feel “stuck” in talk therapy, are dealing with a specific traumatic event, or struggle with chronic anxiety and emotional triggers.
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For couples, it’s suitable for navigating infidelity recovery, gridlocked conflict, or the brink of separation.
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During the initial assessment, I will help determine the best track for your specific needs.
Q: Do you take insurance? How much does a session cost?
- Longer Blocks: When you book longer intensive sessions (such as 2-hour, 3-hour, or 6-hour blocks), your total fee is calculated proportionally based on this $240 per 90-minute rate.
- FSA/HSA: You can use your Flexible Spending Account or Health Savings Account to pay for sessions.
- Out-of-Network Reimbursement: If you have a PPO plan with “out-of-network” benefits, I can provide a receipt (superbill) for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.
- For Couples: Most couples seek therapy for communication, conflict, or infidelity, which insurance does not consider a “medical issue.”
- For Intensives: Insurance companies typically do not reimburse for extended, multi-hour intensive blocks or retreats.
Q: How long is a session, and how frequently do I go to counseling?
For traditional weekly therapy, each session is 53-60 minutes. Usually, I meet once a week unless we discuss otherwise. If you are filing for insurance reimbursement, the coverage is usually once a week.
I also offer Therapy Intensives, where you can book sessions in 90-minute, 3-hour, or 6-hour blocks for accelerated healing.
Q: Can I get on your waiting list?
I can arrange the initial intake sessions within two weeks, when I have availability to accept new clients. But motivation to participate in therapy for change is highest when a client calls to schedule an appointment.
However, I can’t predict how long a client’s therapy process will take, which makes it hard to know when I will have openings for clients on the waiting list.
In addition, a waiting list is a binding contract with the clients. As a therapist, I must safeguard clients’ confidentiality and privacy while agreeing to contact them when a time slot becomes available. However, a potential client’s mental health or relationship might deteriorate while waiting to be seen.
Therefore, I don’t have a waiting list for legal and ethical reasons. Please contact me again later if you wish.
Q: Can I first see you for individual therapy and have my partner join me later?
The answer is NO. I don’t mix and match individual and couple therapy. It’s a conflict of interest. Once I start seeing someone as an individual, I don’t work with them as a couple, except when the individual client is in a dangerous situation, such as suicide, and requires support from the spouse.
The reason for doing this is this: the couple relationship requires the therapist to stay connected and be trustworthy to both partners. Once I start seeing a person individually, we form a bond without the partner. Once the partner joins, it will make the partner feel as if I am aligned with my client before them. I don’t mix and match couples and individual therapy.
When I see a couple, I provide individual sessions if needed, but I will see both partners individually to balance my time with each.
Q: How long does counseling usually take?
Therapy length depends on your concerns, goals, history, and the treatment that best fits your needs. Many clients start with weekly therapy so we can build a therapeutic relationship, understand what brought you to treatment, set clear goals, and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
For weekly therapy, individual sessions are typically 50 minutes and couples sessions are typically 80 minutes. In the beginning, I generally recommend meeting consistently—often once per week—because regular contact helps create safety, build momentum, and support meaningful change.
Many clients report feeling some relief within the first month. I often describe this early improvement as calming down from the crisis. However, bigger change usually takes longer. Healing may include periods of progress alongside periods of discomfort, insight, or adjustment as you establish a new emotional or relational equilibrium. For longstanding patterns, complex trauma, or relationship difficulties that have developed over many years, therapy may take a year or longer. More recent or situation-specific concerns may require a shorter course of treatment.
For some individuals and couples, an EMDR or Couples Therapy Intensive may be a better fit than weekly sessions alone. Intensives provide longer, focused blocks of time for clients who feel stuck in recurring patterns, are navigating an urgent relationship crisis, are traveling a significant distance, or need a format that better accommodates a demanding schedule. An intensive is not simply a longer appointment; it involves careful assessment, treatment planning, preparation, paced therapeutic work, and follow-up or integration support.
Whether you choose weekly therapy, an intensive, or a combination of both, we will work together to determine the pace and format that best supports your goals, readiness, and well-being.
Cancellation Policy
– Cancellations or reschedules made with at least 48 business hours’ notice will NOT be charged.
– Sessions canceled with less than 48 hours’ notice will be charged $75.
– Sessions canceled within 24 hours or no-shows will be charged $160.
– If you are using insurance, this fee is your responsibility, as it cannot be billed to your insurance company.