Question 1

How do I set up a consultation?

Accepted Answer

Send me a message or call 808-895-1584 to schedule a free 10-15 minute consultation.

Question 2

Who do you work with?

Accepted Answer

I work with adults and adolescents. I provide individual, couples, and group therapy. I am licensed in Georgia, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, and Washington. As a result, for clients residing in these states, I am able to accept insurance. After living in Hawaii for nearly 20 years, I have a deep appreciation of cultural differences. As a result, I have a particular interest in extending services to those less likely to reach out for help due to cultural stigmas.

Question 3

Do you have a specialty?

Accepted Answer

Anxiety, depression, compulsive sexual behavior, anger, self-esteem, communication, LGBTQ+ community

Question 4

Where is your office located?

Accepted Answer

Presently, I am only seeing clients virtually (special arrangements can be made to meet in-person depending on location and need).

Question 5

How long are therapy sessions?

Accepted Answer

Sessions are typically 45 - 50 minutes.

Question 6

What insurance do you take?

Accepted Answer

Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Empire BCBS, Oxford, UMR, Oscar, UH Student Resources, Medicare, Emblem Health.  For those without insurance or who choose not to use insurance, sessions are $150.

Question 7

Is there a cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

Clients are asked to provide 24 hours notice if they are unable to keep their scheduled appointment.  Failure to provide notice may result in a fee of $75 which is expected to be paid before scheduling another session.

Question 8

Why a starfish?

Accepted Answer

I often get asked why I do what I do. Perhaps this is best summarized by a story I heard years ago that captures what motivates my work:

An old man was walking on the beach one morning after a storm. As he was strolling along, he saw a young woman picking up starfish and gently throwing them into the ocean.

"Young lady, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" he asked her. "The sun is up and the tide is going out....if I don’t throw them back in, they will die," she replied. “But young lady, do you realize that it’s such a long shore and hundreds of starfish are there? You cannot possibly make a difference!”

The young lady listened politely, then bent down, picked up another starfish, threw it into the sea, and said, “It made a difference for that one!”

Question 9

What is therapy?

Accepted Answer

There are lots of misconceptions about therapy. A lot of people assume therapy is for crazy people. Actually, therapy is a useful way of gaining an alternative perspective and getting “unstuck.” Therapy is an opportunity to sort things out with an impartial professional and resolve conflict. A lot of people assume therapy is just a place to vent. I believe therapy is more effective by taking a more active approach. It's a place to share thoughts and feelings about problems faced. Then the client can work with the therapist to identify tools, strategies and solutions to more effective manage issues.

One of the analogies I use to describe therapy is one of going to the gym and hiring a trainer. Many of us go to the gym but feel as though we have plateaued in our workouts and are not achieving our physical goals. We are trying to get in better physical shape but no longer see progress. We may have gone with friends but we find ourselves talking with them more than working out or can see that our friend has no more knowledge about training than we do. Perhaps the plan of action at that point is hiring a personal trainer who has the training and expertise to challenge us in our workouts, encourage us in the process and help us get to the next level physically. I see the relationship between the client and therapist in a similar manner. We are trying to address current problems but feel stuck. We may have talked with friends or family but they are not professionals and can’t help us the way an unbiased, trained professional can. Working with a therapist--building that trusting relationship--can help us to grow and develop more mastery over our issues. Like utilizing the trainer for physical goals, the therapist can help to take us to the next level with emotional and psychological goals.

Michael Ham LCSW-R

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