FAQs

I do not contract with insurance companies. I accept payments via cash/check and major credit cards. I do not bill insurance, but I can provide an itemized receipt if you’d like to submit it to your provider. Please note that insurance companies require a diagnosis, which may or may not be reimbursed. 

If needed, we can discuss the possibility of a sliding scale and find a plan that works for you.

It is important to understand that you will get more results from therapy if you actively participate in the process. 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, your therapist may suggest some things you can do outside of therapy to support your process – such as mindfulness exercises, breathwork practice, reading a pertinent book, journaling on specific issues that evoke an emotional response, noting particular behaviors or taking action on your goals. People seeking therapy are ready to make positive changes, are open to new perspectives and take responsibility to discover peace and joy in their lives and relationships. It is hard work but worth it!

Every journey is unique. Some people feel shifts in just a few sessions, while others benefit from ongoing work. I promote personal growth and healing by hearing your story and encouraging your active participation so together we create lasting change.

The foundation for all counseling work begins with the therapeutic relationship between client and therapist. A critical component in connecting and building that relationship is trust, therefore confidentiality is one of the most important components between client and therapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is not discussed outside the therapist’s office without consent. Every therapist should provide a written copy of their professional confidential disclosure agreement. This “Informed Consent” will be signed by both the client and therapist. This reassures that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone. If the client requests to share information or give an update to someone (physician, naturopath) they need to provide specific written permission. By law your therapist can only provide this information if a signed ROI (release of information) is completed. 

However, the "duty to warn and protect" is a legal and ethical obligation, where therapists must take reasonable steps to protect their client or potential victims from harm when a client poses a serious threat of violence. This may involve warning the intended victim, notifying authorities or taking other protective measures. 

Breaking confidentiality only includes:

• Reporting suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders to the authorities, including Child Protective Services and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources.

• If the therapist has reason to suspect their client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threatened to harm another person.

There are a number of benefits available from therapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, anger issues, body image issues, and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to exploring self, managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of 24/7 daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or guide you on a path towards peace and a  solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice new tools learned and practiced in session. Some of the benefits available from therapy include: Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals, and values~ Developing skills for improving your relationships~ Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy~ Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety~ Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures~ Improving communication and listening skills~ Changing old behavior patterns and developing healthy ones~ Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage~ Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

In my opinion EVERYONE DESERVES THERAPY! We all go through challenging situations at some point 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. Think of it as an un-biased, caring third party that seeks to see you THRIVE. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand- that is courageous, something to admire. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you’re at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.

People have many different motivations in seeking psychotherapy. Some may be going through a major life transition such as divorce, unemployment/new job, even a move, which can lead to “situational depression” when not handling stressful circumstances well. We all deserve extra support after experiencing a loss, resulting in grief, especially of a loved one. Complicated grief exists when we try to simply press-on without giving time and energy to the grieving process. Some people need assistance managing a range of other ongoing issues such as low self-worth, depression, anxiety, addictions, relationship problems and spiritual conflicts. Therapy can help provide some much-needed encouragement and help with skills to get them through these periods. Others may be at a point where they are ready to learn more about themselves or want to be more effective with their goals in life. In short, people seeking psychotherapy are ready to meet the challenges in their lives and find courage to make positive and lasting change.

Because each person has different issues and goals, therapy will be tailored to YOU, the individual. In general, you can expect to discuss current events happening in your life, dive into your personal history- telling your story, and report progress (or any new insights gained) from the previous therapy session. Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term, for a specific issue, or longer-term, to deal with more difficult patterns, weighted challenges, or your desire for more personal development. Either way, it is most common to schedule regular sessions with your therapist, initially weekly or every other week, then less frequently as needed. I am always here for support and value the therapeutic relationship once established. 

EMDR therapy is a successful, relatively new form of psychotherapy developed in the 1980’s designed to minimize the stress associated with traumatic memories, events from the past that manifest in PTSD or ASD. While recalling the distressing experiences, the client engages in a form of bilateral stimulation, like tapping either side of the body or side-to-side eye movement. Safe and calm techniques are crucial and used each session in EMDR therapy. These grounding exercises help clients regulate their emotions and establish a sense of safety allowing the brain to relax. This is essential for effectively processing traumatic memories and ensuring clients do not become overwhelmed or retraumatized.

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 symptoms, therapy addresses the root cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. I firmly believe you can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness and holistically exploring mind, body and spirit. By working with your medical doctor and/or seeking medication management with a psychiatric provider (specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders, the ability to prescribe medication) you can determine what’s best for you.  In some cases, a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action.