Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I talk to a therapist? Isn’t that what friends are for?

 Friends are great, but they might not be completely neutral with their opinions and advice. Seeing a therapist gives you a non-bias perspective. Therapists also have training and experience with a wide range of issues and can offer tailored techniques to help you. And, sometimes friends don’t have time or emotional space to be fully present.

What should I do to prepare for my first session? What can I expect?

 First, set up a time for a 20-minute consultation to make sure working with me is a good fit for you. Between the consultation and your first session, reflect on your goals in therapy and what prompted you to make the call in the first place. This is what the majority of the first session will be about, presenting problems and goals; as well as some brief history about yourself. The most important part of therapy, in my opinion, is rapport. The relationship you build with a therapist takes time and probably won’t happen in one session. Forms you will need for your first session can be found on the homepage. These forms also highlight confidentiality and informed consent, which will be discussed in your first session.

How do I know if therapy is working and how long do I need to go for?

Therapy is not linear. This means that there will likely be periods of breakthroughs and periods of stagnation, spurts of growth and a series of setbacks. It’s a process, and the best way to know if therapy is working is to remember why you started in the first place. Everyone’s reason for coming to therapy is specific to them, measuring therapy’s effectiveness is similar in nature. Since therapeutic goals can change over time, the duration of therapy is also something that is unique to each individual. Themes from past experiences can show up in current situations throughout life, therefore therapy is an ongoing process. I would initially suggest a weekly or bi-weekly frequency of sessions, depending on your availability and financial flexibility, until suggested otherwise or until you feel comfortable with a decrease in frequency. Most clients work with me for six months to two years, during which we focus on cultivating self-compassion instead of self-judgment. You deserve to feel confident and empowered in your growth, as an individual and within relationships. As therapy progresses, your goals may evolve, and I will support you in achieving those goals—whether focused on individual development or strengthening your relationship as a couple.

Is virtual therapy as effective?

Virtual therapy has the benefit of convenience, which for some makes it more effective because it is less of a stress to schedule. However, like mentioned before, virtual therapy has some drawbacks to rapport building and the therapeutic relationship can feel impersonal at times. Also, it’s more helpful and effective for me, the therapist, to be able to observe body language and other non-verbal cues. After all, most of what we say isn’t really said with words.

How do I pay?

Pricing for sessions begins at $135 per 60-minute session. Payment for session will be made at the time of the session and preferrable payment methods are cash, Zelle, or Venmo. Currently I am not working with insurance, but I can provide you with an invoice called a superbill if you would like to submit this to your insurance company for reimbursement. I have partnered with Mentaya to assist you in utilizing out-of-network benefits. With Mentaya, they submit the superbill to your insurance company for a 5% fee. Sometimes insurance companies can be tough to work with and they assist you in getting the most out of the benefits you are paying for through insurance. On my homepage and scheduling page feel free to check your benefits to see if this service may be something you are interested in.

What if I’m in a crisis and I can’t wait for my scheduled session?

If you are in a crisis and are a risk of harm to yourself or others, please call 211 for local resources or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255. If you are not a risk of harm to yourself or others that requires immediate attention, I will do my best to accommodate sessions either virtually or in-person sooner than your scheduled appointment. The cost of a crisis appointment is no different than the cost of a regular scheduled session. 

What if I need to cancel my session?

If you need to cancel, I ask that you provide 24-hour notice. If something comes up and you cannot provide 24-hour notice, I would ask that you reschedule. I understand that life happens, and you will not be charged for the first missed session. After the first missed session, I will begin to take a deposit and any following missed session will be billed as a full-priced session.