faq

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need an outside perspective. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct irrational thinking and behavior patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face. 

If you are having symptoms such as difficulty sleeping, lack of concentration, feeling out of control, experiencing depressed moods beyond the normal ups and downs, feeling irritable, nervousness or moodiness that is interfering with your quality of life, it may be time to seek help. Isolating yourself from friends and family, increased arguments and interpersonal conflicts are also signs that help is needed. It is important to seek help before the problems worsen. 

There is no set number of sessions recommended for people entering therapy. Some people need more time to work through deep issues which have been present for years. Other times, a solution-focused approach can help individuals through difficult life transitions in a short amount of time. It is important to know that change does not happen overnight. It takes active participation and a willingness to be open minded about potential solutions.  Many people come weekly for the first 6 to 8 weeks, then may decrease to every other week, then to monthly after some time. Once a week is typical for most people, however during certain periods and situations, twice a week is recommended. And some people opt for sessions every other week due to scheduling conflicts or financial constraints. We will work together to find the right balance for your session attendance.

Call for a free phone, video, or in-person 15 minute consultation. One of the most important aspects of successful counseling is the client/therapist relationship. It is important that you feel comfortable with me and I with you.  It’s important to engage in the free consultation so that you have some time to get to know me, ask questions, and ensure you are able to be open and honest in communicating.  My style isn't the best fit for everyone and my most important concern is that you receive the care that you need.

My practice accept cash, check, credit/debit cards, Zelle, and Venmo.  The first session for individuals is $150 and each session after is $125. I occassionally offer longer sessions when needs dictate that range from $175 to $225 per session. The need for these longer sessions can be discussed on a case by case basis.  I do not accept insurance.  However, you will always have access to the billing on my counseling portal where, upon request, I can provide you with a diagnosis that will allow you to submit your charges to your insurance carrier for out-of-network provider reimbursement (if your provider allows this).  You will need to contact your insurance company regarding this request to determine if they will make any reimbursements to you directly.  

For those who can’t get to the office due to COVID concerns, location, or time restraints, I offer virtual counseling through secure video conferencing. Contact me for a free demo and consultation.

Your initial visit is a chance for us to learn about one another and make sure working together is a good fit. We’ll talk about what brings you in. We’ll decide together when and how long we will meet and determine together the goals of the sessions. Some common goals of counseling are reduction of emotional distress, increased tolerance for stress and discomfort in everyday life, enhanced relationships, increased goal-directed behavior, enhanced sense of self, improved coping tools, or improved outlook and quality of life.  

After the initial “getting to know you” session, our time will usually be spent talking about what’s on your mind, about any homework assignments you had between sessions, and doing specific activities that are related to your counseling goals. The direction of counseling is always up to you.  Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term, for a specific issue, or longer-term, to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development.  

The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn in session back into your life.  Therefore, beyond the work you do in therapy sessions, I will likely suggest some things to be done outside of therapy to support your process - such as reading a pertinent book, journaling on specific topics, noting particular behaviors or taking action on your goals.

It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness.  Working with your medical doctor you can determine what's best for you, and in some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. Upon request, I am able to coordinate with your doctor to provide my professional overview of your case to assist in a seamless approach when medication is part of the solution.