On September 11, 2001, our world was changed forever by the cowardly Al Qaeda terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. As Department Psychologist and Director of the Critical Incident Stress Management Program (CISM) for LA City Fire Department (LAFD), I knew immediately what might lay ahead for me and our team. Given that the […]
Critical Incident Stress Management & Intervention for First Responders
Firefighting / EMS work is an inherently dangerous and stressful profession. In one segment first responders may be exposed to more trauma, loss, death and destruction than the ordinary citizen may see in a lifetime. Emergency responders are well trained and prepared to deal with these daily exposures and crises. In fact, given your resilient […]
Dr. Scott & FDNY/IAFF Firefighter Support Team Leaders Share ‘Lessons Learned’ From 9/11
Dr. Scott & Firefighter Support Team Members Share Findings & Lessons Learned at 2003 ICISF World Congress on Stress In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, Dr. Scott and his LAFD CISM Team spent two weeks at Ground Zero providing crisis intervention and firefighter peer support as […]
How Private is Therapy?
Though laws may vary slightly from State to State, the law protects and safeguards the confidentiality of communications between a patient and a therapist just like a physician and a patient. There are exceptions to this rule of confidentiality — a few of those exceptions are listed below: Suspected or observed abuse of a child […]
Do You Accept Insurance?
I work with most major health insurance carriers. While as a client you will always be ultimately responsible for the costs of your psychotherapy treatment, I do accept most insurance plans as partial payment for your treatment. Usually most plans require members to pay a portion or co-pay of their psychotherapy costs. Currently I am […]
What is Therapy Like?
Psychotherapy is not easily described in general statements. It varies depending on the personalities of the psychologist and client, and the particular problems clients are experiencing. There are many different methods therapists use to address the problems client’s present. Psychotherapy is not like a medical doctor visit. Instead, it calls for a very active effort […]