Laurie Persh, LCPC, LMFT
Laurie Persh, LCPC, LMFT
Couples, Individuals (Adults and Adolescents) and Family Therapy
Bethesda Office Location
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT — p. 301-887-3644
PERSONAL BIOGRAPHY AND INTRODUCTION
Laurie Ann Persh, LCPC, LMFT is a licensed professional counselor, licensed marriage and family therapist, and nationally board certified clinical mental health counselor. She has over 30 years of experience across a variety of settings, with first hand familiarity of inpatient and outpatient facilities. She recently served as Clinical Director of a full service family and child clinic for Childhelp, Inc in Virginia.
Laurie has particular expertise in the areas of trauma, multicultural work, and family systems. She continues to pursue on-going training to keep up with the latest research and maintain the highest standards as she works with couples and family relationship issues. She is trained in the dynamics and treatment of the Gottman Method of Couples Therapy, Bowenian and Adlerian Family Therapy, working with foster and adoption families, and military families. Additionally, she has certification, training, and experience with Gestalt therapy, Trauma-Informed Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, psychological testing, work-life balance, domestic violence and abuse, Active Parenting, Disaster Mental Health, and Critical Incident Stress Management. She is bilingual and has traveled extensively, including work on behalf of immigrants and refugees.
In Laurie’s words:
Sometimes it helps just to have a caring nonjudgmental person to talk to and bounce ideas off. Sometimes, people need a gentle push along with clear steps to take to make things better. After 30 years working with clients from children to adults, in public and private settings, I have learned what differences to respect and what common themes and needs to honor for all human beings. Throughout my career as a counselor/psychotherapist, my strength continues to be my ability to understand human nature. I share with my clients knowledge, respect, and guidance. It is a two way learning process; and what I continue to learn keeps me fresh and interested even after all these years.
I lean toward a cognitive-behavioral approach, always keeping in mind that individuals and couples are part of larger systems of relationships. Much of my work and interest has focused on working on surviving and moving beyond trauma and/or grief and loss, codependency, women’s and relationship issues, and cross-cultural issues.
My Training and Affiliations: As a lover of learning, I have extensive formal training, but equally appreciate what I have learned from my personal life experiences. I am a certified teacher as well as a therapist; I spent a few years teaching Spanish in public school and adult education, and I was an adjunct professor of Psychology at the college level for many years. My Masters degree in Community Counseling is from Lehigh University and I did post-graduate work in Psychology and Family Therapy mostly from the Adler-Dreikers Family Counseling Institute of Bowie State University. I have also pursued on-going training in various psychotherapy methodologies, including those mentioned by my associates; so that I can draw on a variety of approaches to match the approach with the needs of my clients. I am particularly interested in approaches and techniques that are research-based, flexible, and holistic.
Personal Story: My personal life has included growing up with a disabled sister, family struggles related to issues of discrimination, grief and loss, marital separation, eating disorders and body image concerns and addictions influences. I also raised a daughter and a son struggling with ADHD as a single parent (with the help and support of a wonderful extended family despite imperfections). These struggles have shaped my capacity for empathy and an appreciation for counseling. I am proud to say that my ex-husband and I have done well over the years in our co-parenting across a distance, and I happily continue to work on a second marriage that has lasted over ten years.
Professional Affiliations: I am a member of the American Counseling Association, the American Mental Health Counselors Association, Employee Assistance Professionals of America, the International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors and the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development.
FEES AND PAYMENT:
Payment is expected at each session. Checks or cash are preferred. Please make checks payable to “Keith Miller Counseling, LLC.” We also accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover (see credit card form below).
Individuals, 50 minute: $150
Couples, 50 minutes, $160
Couples, 80 minutes, $240
Specialized assessments - negotiable depending on needs
APPOINTMENT HOURS: Weekdays and evening hours available
We offer a 20-minute free consultation if you’re uncertain about scheduling your first regular appointment.
INSURANCE:Because we are licensed as professional social workers and counselors, our professional services do qualify for patient reimbursement under most insurance plans. Coverage varies widely from policy to policy, so you may want to review your benefits to determine your expected reimbursement.
Most insurance companies will not reimburse specifically for “marriage counseling,” “couples counseling,” or “relationship counseling.” The procedure code I use for couples that is generally reimbursable is called “conjoint psychotherapy.” This procedure code is 908.47. Use this language when inquiring with your insurance about reimbursement for couples counseling.
My services are provided directly to you, and your payment is made directly to me at the time of each session. If you decide to use your insurance, you can file for reimbursement with your insurance carrier, using the statement we will provide.
However, before making the decision to use your insurance coverage to reimburse you for therapy, please consider the following:
Confidentiality: All insurance companies require some information about the reason for psychological treatment in order to process your claim. In addition, managed care plans often require detailed information regarding the problem for which you are seeking help, history, symptoms, family life, work life, and so on. The information is entered into increasingly large information systems, and current regulations are not strong in protecting confidentiality.
Control of Treatment: Managed care companies may use the information to decide if treatment is medically necessary, what kind of therapy is approved, and, later, if it should continue. Many of the insurance company employees who make these decisions have limited training, and of course have never met with you.
Psychiatric Diagnosis: Health insurance is designed to pay for the treatment of illness. Therefore, a psychiatric diagnosis code must be given before most insurance companies will pay.
CANCELLATION AND INCLIMATE WEATHER POLICY
Since the scheduling of an appointment involves the reservation of times specifically for you, a minimum of 24 hours notice is required for re-scheduling or canceling an appointment. Unless we reach a different agreement, the full fee will be charged for sessions missed without such notification. Most insurance companies do not reimburse for missed sessions.
In inclimate weather the cancellation policy is in effect unless the federal government is closed.
Please enter your information or call Laurie at: 301-887-3644
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