Question 1

Where is your office located?

Accepted Answer

My office is conveniently located between Downtown Crossing (Orange Line) and the Financial District (Red Line-South Station) at the following address:

https://goo.gl/maps/PBfvPtyZsjwfQw6H6

Currently, I am seeing client via Telehealth (Mon-Fri) and in person at my Devonshire office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, especially for Trauma, EMDR and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy. My workspace takes necessary COVID related precautions including masks, social distancing and cleaning.

Question 2

Where should I park?

Accepted Answer

Although metered parking is available in the neighborhood, I HIGHLY recommend that you use public transportation. Parking is difficult and expensive.

Question 3

Is your office handicapped-accessible?

Accepted Answer

Yes.

Question 4

How long is a typical session?

Accepted Answer

Sessions are 50 minutes long.
Group Sessions are 75 minutes long.
KAP Sessions (https://www.croteaulicsw.com/ketamine-assisted-psychotherapy-kap/)are 3-4 hours long.

Question 5

How do I get started?

Accepted Answer

It’s simple. Contact me (https://www.croteaulicsw.com/contact)for a free consultation, and we’ll go from there.

Question 6

Do you accept insurance?

Accepted Answer

I don’t accept insurance.
However, I can either provide you with the necessary invoices (Superbills) to file claims on your own, or I can submit the claims on your behalf such that your insurance plan reimburses you directly.
In either case, you are responsible for paying fees at the time of service.

Question 7

What are your fees?

Accepted Answer

Initial Diagnostic Appointment $275 – 75 min session.
Individual Therapy $250 – 50 min session.
KAP Session (https://www.croteaulicsw.com/kap/)(Preparation, Dosing, Integration) $860 (3 hours).
KAP Integration Sessions follow ups  $250 – 50 min session (at least 1 is required following a KAP session within 24-48 hours).
Couples Therapy $275 – 75 min session.

Question 8

How do I make an appointment?

Accepted Answer

Call me at (617) 398-7(tel:6173987506)506(tel:6173987506)
Email me at grcroteau@gmail.com(javascript:void(0);)

Question 9

What is your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

I have a 24-hour cancellation policy.
Appointments cancelled within those 24 hours are billable for the full fee of the appointment.

Question 10

What is a free initial phone consultation?

Accepted Answer

This is a short phone conversation during which we discuss how my services can meet your needs. We then set up your initial appointment.

Question 11

With what age range do you work?

Accepted Answer

I work primarily with adults 18 years of age and above.

Question 12

How long have you been in practice?

Accepted Answer

I began working as a psychotherapist in 2002 in a community mental health center and have been in private practice since 2014.

Question 13

Are you LGBTQIA friendly?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I have a large percentage of clients who are gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and identify as transgender and non-binary.

Question 14

Do you prescribe medications?

Accepted Answer

I am not a licensed prescriber.

Question 15

Do you work with people from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, and religions?

Accepted Answer

I have experience working with many ethnicities, religions and economic backgrounds.

Question 16

What can I expect in the first session?

Accepted Answer

Our initial appointment gives me the opportunity to get a better understanding of you and what brings you to therapy.
It is also an opportunity for you to get to know me and assess whether I am a good fit for you.

Question 17

How long will I be in therapy?

Accepted Answer

That is entirely up to you.
Some people find therapy necessary to address very specific problems and discontinue once that problem is solved.
Others use therapy to explore deeper their understanding of themselves and how they have experienced their lives.

Question 18

Does anyone cry in front of you?

Accepted Answer

People often come to therapy because they’re struggling in their lives. They carry great burdens of pain and suffering.
In the course of telling their stories, they often release emotions in the form of tears and laughter.

Question 19

Who benefits from therapy?

Accepted Answer

Most often, the client is the beneficiary of the therapeutic process.
However, family, friends and co-workers often benefit from experiencing you as more authentic and joyful.
Finally, the joy, compassion and fulfillment of therapy benefit the therapist, too.

Question 20

What is EMDR?

Accepted Answer

I use Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) primarily to help people with traumatic experiences better deal with their emotions as they pertain to the trauma.
See my section on EMDR (https://www.croteaulicsw.com/trauma-and-emdr/)for more information.

Question 21

What is Ketamine Assisted Therapy (KAP)?

Accepted Answer

I offer a therapeutic modality called Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) in partnership with an organization called Journey Clinical.
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a holistic modality in which ketamine is used as a complement to psychotherapy to help eligible patients experience more frequent breakthroughs and sustained improvement in symptoms. I take on the psychotherapy portion of the experience, while Journey Clinical’s medical team supports you on all medical aspects. This includes determining eligibility, developing a custom treatment plan, prescribing the medicine and monitoring outcomes.

Click on KAP FAQ category above for more information about Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy.

Question 22

What kind of groups do you have in your practice?

Accepted Answer

I currently run one group.
A Therapy Group for Men (https://www.croteaulicsw.com/group-therapy/)that meets on Tuesdays evenings via Zoom, 7:00-8:15pm.

Question 23

Is our work confidential?

Accepted Answer

YES! Our work is strictly confidential. All outside contact requires your overt and specific permission and signed consent.
(For Couples) Of course, I hold the work of therapy with the deepest of confidences. 
However, I tell couples from the beginning that I do not keep secrets for them.
If you tell me something that I believe will interfere with the therapy, I will work with you to divulge the information. Therapy can’t work properly if secrets are kept.

Question 24

Do couples fight in front of you?

Accepted Answer

It is rare, but it does happen. However, I’m very direct when working with couples and do not allow abusive behaviors to manifest during therapy sessions.
I work hard to keep negative or hostile emotions directed at me, and, for the most part, couples work hard to make reparative moves during therapy.

Question 25

Do you take sides?

Accepted Answer

During couples therapy, I focus most on the relationship itself and not the specific individuals.
I don’t believe any particular “side” is ever right or wrong. There is only one’s perspective that demands understanding and respect.

Question 26

How long have you been in practice?

Accepted Answer

I began working as a psychotherapist in 2002 in a community mental health center and have been in private practice since 2014.

Question 27

What do you enjoy about being a therapist?

Accepted Answer

My greatest reward in being a therapist is the trust that clients give me. It is always an honor to bear witness to people’s suffering, stories, and celebrations in life.

Question 28

Have you been in therapy yourself?

Accepted Answer

I did my most intense self-discovery in the 1990s.
Since then, I occasionally seek professional guidance regarding my clients and my own personal relationships, personal and professional  growth.
I also practice meditation and occasionally attend meditation retreats for proper self care.

Question 29

What is your educational background?

Accepted Answer

I earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from University of Hartford and a master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from Boston University.
I have subsequently attended many formal trainings including in the work of trauma, groups, EMDR and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy.

Question 30

What is the best way to get in touch with you?

Accepted Answer

Leave a voice message at (617) 865-2612 (tel:6178652612)or email GRCroteau@gmail.com.(javascript:void(0);)

Question 31

Are you licensed?

Accepted Answer

I hold a LICSW in the state of Massachusetts, # 112057.

Question 32

Do you take notes?

Accepted Answer

I do take notes during our first two sessions.
Thereafter, I make clinical notes outside our clinical work. This process allows me to maintain consistency in our work together.

Question 33

What is therapy like with you?

Accepted Answer

Past and current clients have told me that I am easy to talk and share with. I come to therapy sessions with an open mind and open heart.

Question 34

Do I have to tell you everything?

Accepted Answer

What you share in therapy is entirely under your control.
Together, we seek to find understanding and truth about your authenticity.

Question 35

Is your furniture comfortable?

Accepted Answer

Very!  My clients often comment on the comfort of my office.

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c6f9d3_eb14278d2ec74495ac85d3e470b115e7~mv2.jpg

Question 36

Do I have to lie on a couch?

Accepted Answer

You don’t have to lie on the sofa, although you’re very welcome to make yourself as comfortable as you wish.
I have clients who love my thick and soft blanket to wrap themselves in during therapy. I also have a weighted blanket that can help with stress and anxiety.

Question 37

Am I allowed to ask personal questions?

Accepted Answer

As a client, you’re allowed to ask anything you like.
However, I reserve the right to not answer questions of a personal nature that do not have material relevance to our work together.
While I have strong boundaries as a clinician, I am not a “blank slate” and do share a bit of myself when clinically appropriate.

Guy R. Croteau, LICSW

Frequently Asked Questions