Clinical Services

The First Appointment - What To Expect:

Some people wonder what to expect at the first visit. Like your doctor's office we first photocopy your insurance card. Then you will be asked to review and sign two forms. One form explains the legal limitations of CONFIDENTIALITY. The other form reviews the terms of your proposed FINANCIAL AGREEMENT with me and with Mass Bay Counseling. Parents must sign these forms for children under age 18. Finally, we complete basic registration items like address and phone numbers.

Once this paperwork is completed we begin the "clinical" part of the meeting. The initial session is divided into 3 parts: 1) Your description of the "presenting problem," that is why you are seeking help for yourself, your family or your son or daughter; 2) the second part of the meeting is devoted to reviewing the personal history of the client or the family. This could include prior attempts at counseling, childhood history, educational and social history, present and typical mood and emotional state, and work history; 3) the last part of the initial session is devoted to "treatment planning," that is, deciding what to "work on." This may involve setting "short term goals," deciding if structured assessment tools should be deployed (for example, a depression or anxiety rating scale), or discussing if other professionals should be involved, for example, a referral to a psychiatrist to consider medication. Plans may then be made for a follow up appointment.

This summary was intended to provide a glimpse into a standard first appointment. Certainly, client needs and interests vary and so may the emphasis given to the topics addressed in the initial interview.

Quinex Services

Address and Directions:
Robert Azrak, Ed.D.
Mass Bay Counseling
234 Copeland St. 3rd Floor
Quincy, MA 02169
617.786.0137

Fees and Registration
Fees vary depending on the class chosen, length of the meeting, and number of people taking the class together. For now, class size is limited to 2 people, to maximize the opportunity for individualized instruction. Payment is always due on the day of the class meeting. Health insurance may not be used to pay for Quinex classes.

To register, call the Quinex telephone number, (617) 786– 0137 and leave a message in my voice mailbox. I will return your call, and talk with you about your interest and needs. It will be important for me, with your help, to determine if the class is appropriate, or are your concerns to such a degree of difficulty and intensity that traditional mental health care is the recommended approach. Also, this brief interview should give me ideas about how to best individualize your class. If the class is appropriate for you, it is simply a matter of finding a mutually convenient time to meet.

Please feel free to call me with questions:
Robert Azrak, Ed.D. is a fully trained child, adolescent, and adult psychologist. He is an independent contractor and affiliate of Mass Bay Counseling, and the sole founder of the QUINEX PROGRAM. Dr. Azrak has been serving the Boston area since 1979.