FAQs — Alison Newcomer PhD

PRACTICE INFORMATION

Frequently Asked Questions

Begin by completing the consultation inquiry form. After reviewing your inquiry, I'll reach out to arrange a brief, complimentary phone call to discuss your concerns, answer questions, and determine whether my practice is an appropriate fit. If we decide to proceed, we'll schedule an initial evaluation and complete the necessary intake paperwork.
The initial evaluation is an opportunity to discuss your concerns in greater depth, review relevant history, and identify your goals for treatment. We'll also discuss my clinical recommendations and develop an initial treatment plan.
Treatment length varies depending on the concerns being addressed, their severity, and your individual goals. Some clients benefit from a relatively brief course of treatment, while others require more extended work. We'll review progress regularly and adjust the treatment plan as needed.

My practice is entirely telehealth-based. Sessions take place through a secure video platform, allowing you to participate from a private location in a state where I am authorized to practice.
The initial evaluation is an opportunity to discuss your concerns in greater depth, review relevant history, and identify your goals for treatment. We'll also discuss my clinical recommendations and develop an initial treatment plan.
I provide telehealth services to clients located in Maryland and participating PSYPACT states. Your eligibility depends on your physical location at the time of each appointment.
You can view the current list of participating states on the official PSYPACT map.

I am an out-of-network provider and do not bill insurance companies directly. Payment is due at the time of service.
If your insurance plan includes out-of-network mental health benefits, you may be eligible for partial reimbursement. I provide superbills that you can submit to your insurance company.
I recommend contacting your insurer before beginning treatment to confirm your benefits, deductible, and reimbursement requirements. Reimbursement is determined by your insurance plan and is not guaranteed.
Fees for the initial evaluation and ongoing treatment are provided in my email response to your consultation inquiry, so you can review them before scheduling a phone consultation.
We can also discuss the anticipated frequency of appointments and answer any questions about the financial aspects of treatment before scheduling.

My work draws primarily on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure and response prevention (ERP), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Treatment is individualized, active, and focused on helping clients change the patterns that maintain anxiety and OCD.
Research supports telehealth as an effective way to deliver evidence-based psychological treatment for many concerns, including anxiety and OCD. Treatment involves the same clinical approaches used in person, adapted to the video format.
Telehealth can also make it possible to practice new skills and complete exposures in the environments where difficulties occur.
Yes. Parent-based treatment can be an effective approach for childhood anxiety and OCD, even when a child is unwilling or unable to participate directly in therapy.
I work with parents to identify and change patterns that may unintentionally maintain anxiety, while helping them respond to their child's distress in ways that support greater independence and coping.