• Frequently Asked Questions

    Frequently Asked Questions

    So you are considering trying therapy and have some questions…

    I love questions! And it is natural to ask questions when starting anything new. Below are some answers that might help. For more information, check out my Office Policies & Treatment Consent form. Also, please feel free to contact me. I’d be happy to set up a free 15 minute consultation at your convenience.

    Not at all. It takes courage to ask for help. In our work together, I’ll help you explore and utilize your strengths, while developing new tools to add to your tool box.

    Life can be tough and at times we need extra support. Sometimes our feelings and behaviors can feel overwhelming to the point of affecting our relationships, physical health, and the ability to function in our daily lives. When how we respond to the challenges isn’t working or creating more problems, counseling can provide the support you need to heal, adapt and thrive.

    All of our conversations are confidential, except where mandated otherwise by law. For more details, feel free to review my Office Policies & Treatment Consent Form.

    Initially, I ask my clients to plan on meeting weekly. This helps build momentum and provides support for you to make the changes you long for.  If symptoms are severe and you need more support, meeting twice a week or scheduling extended sessions are a possibility as well. As therapy progresses, it is natural to increase the intervals between meetings to every other week.  This is something we will discuss throughout our work together.

    Everyone’s circumstances are unique. The length of time depends on a number of things, including your goals, personal history, involvement and commitment to the process. Some clients realize the growth and change they are seeking in as little as 3-6 months. Others, who have a history of trauma or long term struggles, find the work can take up to a year or more. We will assess your progress throughout our work together and make adjustments along the way as needed. In my experience, the people who are more invested in the process outside of our sessions notice the most rapid growth.

    I'm glad you asked! Below are some suggestions that will help make your counseling experience successful.

    1. Make a regular commitment to yourself and your therapy. Be consistent and make the effort to keep your appointments and do your work. Inconsistency can slow down your progress significantly.

    2. Take time to think about your sessions during the week. The amount of change you experience is often proportional to the amount of time you put in between sessions. Make the most out of your investment.

    3. Be open to new ideas and challenge yourself. Be open to new ideas. You might be surprised by how they'll help you achieve your goals. Try out the things you are learning and see what happens. Be willing to experiment a little.

    4. Be honest with yourself and your therapist. This includes expressing how you're feeling about the process or the relationship with your therapist. If something is bothering you or isn't working, let's talk about it. Give yourself permission to take care of yourself, not your therapist 😊.

    5. Allow yourself to make mistakes and give yourself grace. You will be learning new behaviors, skills, and ways of thinking. It is normal to fall back into old patterns. This doesn't mean you haven't made progress. Lasting change takes time and perfection is a myth.

    6. Be patient. Growth and change can be uncomfortable and takes time. You have developed different habits and ways dealing with life for a long time. And change takes time. At the same time, you can expect to notice positive change early on in therapy. If you feel like you aren't making the progress you'd like, let's talk about it. You are the expert on what it's like to be you in the world.

    7. Go at your own pace. Therapy can be tiring and is often painful. If you notice yourself feeling overwhelmed or overly tired between sessions, tell your counselor and together you can adjust the pace of your work.

    8. Find a therapist you can work with. Counseling is a personal thing and your relationship with your therapist is important. Choose someone who challenges you and yet with whom you feel comfortable.

    To achieve your goals for therapy, be an active invested partner. Take responsibility for your part...therapy works if you do.

    The current fee for a 50 minute session is $200. When extended sessions are requested (75 or 90 minutes), fees will be prorated accordingly. In certain situations, sliding fees are possible.

    Counseling is definitely an investment. An investment in you, your family and those you interact with. You probably have spent a long time building up to feeling this tired, this frustrated, this hurt and possibly you haven’t taken care of your needs in a long time. Investing in your mental health pays benefits well into the future and the future of your loved ones.

    I accept payment at the time of services. If you have an HSA or FSA account, you can use the card connected with that account to make payment. I do not bill insurance companies. However, if you have a PPO insurance plan, I will provide you with a monthly Superbill that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. Often health insurance covers a percentage of my fee after a deductible is met. To determine your coverage, contact your insurance company.

    Your therapy time is specifically reserved for you. I understand that sometimes life happens and you may need to cancel a session. However, please note that cancellations must be made 48 hours in advance in order to avoid being charged the full session fee.

    I currently see clients Mondays through Thursdays. My first available appointment is usually 11 AM and my latest is 6 pm.

    I work with a variety of clients and seek to support them in a manner that is sensitive to and consistent with their values, spirituality, and worldview. Although I welcome the opportunity to discuss the client's spiritual journey and what it has meant to him or her, some of my clients choose not to discuss their spiritual beliefs during therapy, which I respect and honor as well.


    “Learning is by nature curiosity”
    – Plato