FAQs

FAQs

+ - What days are you available?

I see clients by appointment, Tuesday through Thursday.

+ - Do you provide online therapy or in-office counseling?

I offer both options depending on the needs and requests of my clients. If you are interested in online/teletherapy, please state that in the comments when you request an appointment.

+ - Do you take insurance?

I do not work directly with any insurance plans, but I am able to provide the necessary documentation for you to file for out-of-network reimbursement. I accept cash, check, or credit card payment at the time of service. If you are interested in filing for out-of-network reimbursement, please contact your insurance provider prior to your first appointment to verify out-of-network benefits and preferred procedures for seeking reimbursement.

+ - Is there something wrong with me?

No. All of us face difficulties at some point in our lives and in those times it is helpful to find a professional to help you process what you have experienced and what you’re going through so that you can come out better and stronger on the other side. It takes strength and courage to ask for help. You are making the right choice.

+ - Will I really benefit from therapy?

People come to therapy for many different reasons and therapy has many benefits. People coming with depression or anxiety may want to learn how to feel better. The therapist will address issues contributing to these feelings and teach skills to begin to alleviate the negative emotions. Others may seek counseling to manage major life stresses like job burnout, the death of a loved one, family conflict, or a move. Therapy will focus on specific skills and steps than can be taken to address these issues. Clients also come to therapy because of trauma they have experienced. Trauma can be anything that makes you feel like your life or the life of someone you love, is threatened. It could be a car accident, a child’s severe illness, your house being burglarized, childhood abuse, or a sexual assault. When resolving trauma, EMDR therapy is often the most efficient way to help clients heal. Thinking patterns will also be addressed to resolve negative beliefs, guilt, and shame, and to help you begin to experience hope and healing.

+ - Do you offer Christian Counseling?

We are mental, emotional, and spiritual beings and I believe in a holistic approach to counseling. I provide Christian based therapy to those that request it, but I work with people from all faith backgrounds. I strive to help people find hope and freedom from the pain they are experiencing using the values and belief system they bring to therapy.

+ - How many sessions should I expect?

That depends greatly on your needs. During the initial evaluation, we will discuss what brings you to therapy, your background, and set specific counseling goals. Depending on the complexity of issues, some people feel better after just a few sessions and others may take longer. Whatever the case, you are in the driver’s seat and I am here as long as you need assistance.

+ - Do I need medication and can you prescribe them?

I cannot prescribe medications, but we can discuss whether medication will be helpful at your initial evaluation. There are times that medication is needed to resolve a chemical imbalance in the brain. It is important to pair counseling with medication so that the underlying issues that caused the imbalance are addressed. If I feel you would benefit from medication, I will refer you to a psychiatrist for an evaluation and prescription.

+ - What is the difference between a psychiatrist, a psychologist, and a therapist/counselor?

Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MD) and are able to prescribe medications. They focus on prescribing and monitoring medication for mental health issues. Psychologists have a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), depending on whether their focus is on clinical practice (PsyD) or in research (PhD), Psychologists generally provide psychological testing and evaluations. Therapists and counselors are generally master’s level clinicians (MS or MA) and provide therapy to a broad range of clients.

+ - I've never done this before. What can I expect at our first appointment?

I will start our first session by answering your questions and going over some basic introductory information. The first visit is mostly about helping me get to know you, so I will ask questions about what brings you to counseling, your symptoms, your support system, and relevant historical information. Before we wrap up, we will set some goals for what you would like to accomplish in therapy. I promise, it won't be scary. I'm here to support you on this journey to healing.

+ - How much do you charge?

I charge $150 for a 50-minute session and $225 for a 80-minute session. Most sessions are 50 minutes, but occasionally, we may agree to meet for longer in order to process deeper issues.

I realize that investing in counseling is a big step. If you are on the fence, ask yourself how much it might cost you emotionally, if you don't invest in your mental health. Your well-being is important and you are worth it!