Frequently asked questions
How can therapy help me?
Therapy is the one place where it is all about YOU! We set aside time to look at what has worked in your life to this point, and what has not been working. This can look like coaching to help you attain your goals, or a deeper dive into your past to look at where some of your unhelpful coping comes from. While I use a strengths-based approach and rely on principles of positive psychology, we can also unpack old trauma so it loses power over you. Therapists can provide support, enhance problem-solving, increase healthy coping skills, and clarify a sense of self and goals for the future.
How is therapy different than talking to my family and friends?
Family and friends want to help...and they all have an idea about what would work best for you. Or maybe they don’t want to hurt your feelings, so they only tell you what you want to hear. A therapist is different. I help you see yourself as if in a mirror. We work to uncover the real you and to figure out what life would look like living on your own terms. You never have to worry about what I will think of you because anything you say in therapy is ok. You will be in a judgment-free zone.
Why shouldn’t I just take medication?
Doctors often prescribe antidepressants or antianxiety medications. These can be life-saving by helping you reduce negative feelings enough to face life...until another situation throws you down. Therapy treats the root causes of anxiety and depression. In therapy, you heal the wounds that cause the pain and learn healthy coping skills to be able to better face life head-on. Medication without therapy is rarely a good, long-term strategy to manage mental health.
How do I get started?
We will schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if we will be a good fit. If we decide to work together, we will schedule your intake session and I will send you intake forms to fill out and send to me before our first session. This paperwork is essential for me to get to know more about you and where to begin. During the initial session, we will determine initial goals and find out how you best feel supported. We have many options for the way we do therapy, and I want to ensure that you feel empowered to make decisions.
Payment Methods
Private Pay: I accept cash, checks, and major credit cards. I require a credit card on file to charge in case of missed appointments and late cancellations.
Out-of-Network Benefits: Your insurance company may offer out-of-network coverage. This means that your insurance company may reimburse you for a portion of the therapy fee (usually between 20-80%). Check with your insurance provider or see FAQs for more information.
Health Savings Account: This is pre-tax money you may be able to set aside through your employer. This provides savings on the cost of therapy by using pre-tax contributions.
Reasons not to use insurance (if you can avoid it)
I want to provide you with the most options and highest quality care, and can help you decide how you want to pay for treatment based on your needs and goals.
Insurance companies require a mental health diagnosis and will only provide treatment as long as you meet the criteria for a diagnosis. Example: If you come in and have 5 out of 9 symptoms of depression, you qualify for “medically necessary” treatment. However, after a few weeks, you start to feel a little better and only meet 4 out of 9 symptoms, so you no longer qualify, even though your goals aren’t met.
As a holistic-focused therapist, this often limits the type and scope of goals that we can focus on because insurance can limiting length of sessions, frequency, and type of therapies covered.
Also, for some, having a mental health diagnosis attached to their medical record is something they want to avoid for personal or professional reasons.