Question 1

How do I get started?

Accepted Answer

After you contact me through the website, we’ll set up a time for a phone consultation (they usually take about 10 minutes). If you’re phone-averse, please let me know and we can do the consultation using zoom or email. I’ll ask you for a broad overview of what you’re hoping to work on in therapy so that I can get a better idea of whether I think I can help or not. I’ll tell you a little bit about how I work and give you an opportunity to ask any questions. If we both think it’s a good fit, we’ll schedule a first session and I will send you the consent forms and intake paperwork.

Question 2

What happens during the first session?

Accepted Answer

I’ll start out by getting your history so that I have a better context for understanding your challenges and struggles. From there, you’ll tell me what you want to work on in therapy, and we will build a treatment plan around your goals (this plan can be revised and added to at any time). This is the foundation that we’ll build from. Based on your goals, I’ll share with you some techniques and approaches that I think might be useful, and we’ll decide together how we want to start.

Question 3

What happens during a therapy session?

Accepted Answer

Most of my sessions start with the client catching me up on what’s happening in their life. If there’s a new development that needs immediate attention, we’ll start with that. Otherwise, we’ll pick up where we left off last session. Sessions run for 50 minutes with lots of time for you to talk and ask questions.

Question 4

How many sessions will I need?

Accepted Answer

It varies from person to person, and it's ultimately up to you. Some people come in with a very specific issue that might only take a few sessions to work out, while others are looking for more long-term support. I’ve had numerous clients take a break from therapy and return to address a new stressor later on.

Question 5

What if I feel like it’s not working?

Accepted Answer

I love getting feedback from clients on what’s working, what isn’t, and how I can better tailor your therapy to you. If you feel that something isn’t working or that your therapy isn’t progressing like you hoped, please bring it up in session, and we can work together to restructure our sessions. If you feel like I’m perhaps not the best counselor for you, I’m happy to provide referrals for other counselors.

Question 6

Do you provide letters for HRT, ESAs, etc.?

Accepted Answer

I’m happy to write letters for established clients (people I’ve seen for at least 6 sessions) if we have decided that such a letter would be beneficial. The charge for a letter is $50.

Question 7

How much does therapy with you cost?

Accepted Answer

My standard fee for individuals is $125 for a 50-minute session.

Question 8

Do you offer a sliding scale?

Accepted Answer

I strongly believe everyone should have access to mental health care regardless of their financial situation. I offer need-based reduced rates when I can. This is based on the number of current clients paying the full fee. If you can afford to pay the full rate, you will be helping provide a much-needed service to someone else by leaving a sliding-scale spot open. If you need a sliding scale fee, be sure to tell me during the consultation.

Question 9

Why don't you work with couples or polycules?

Accepted Answer

For now, I am only seeing clients online, and I have found the telehealth platform difficult for couples/polycule sessions. It is my goal to offer high-quality counseling services, and I do not feel like I can meet this goal for couples and polycules at this time.

Question 10

Do you take insurance?

Accepted Answer

I do not accept insurance. However, I am covered by many insurers as an out of network provider. I provide superbills upon request at the end of each month that can be submitted to insurance companies. Based on your insurance plan, you may be eligible for reimbursement or application of payments to your deductible.

Question 11

Why don’t you take insurance?

Accepted Answer

This article,(https://www.envisionwellness.co/why-i-no-longer-accept-insurance/) written by a Florida psychologist, gives a through list of reasons why many therapists don’t accept insurance. I don’t so much relate to the section on low rates (mainly because my rates aren’t as high as theirs), but the rest of the article is applicable.

Question 12

What is your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

I require at least 24 hours’ notice for rescheduling or cancellation. The cost of a late cancellation is the full fee unless we can reschedule that same week (dependent on whether I have appointments available). A no-show appointment will always result in the full fee being charged. Payments are charged the day of the appointment.

Question 13

Do you assign homework?

Accepted Answer

That all depends on you and whether you’d like to have homework or not. I think it can be a great way to move you more quickly toward your goals, but I will abide by your wishes. Homework can look like many different things – a worksheet, reading part of a book, journaling, calling a friend, or even making time in your schedule for something you enjoy.

Question 14

How will I feel after sessions?

Accepted Answer

Most of the time, clients report feeling better at the end of session that at the start, but this isn’t always the case. Therapy can bring up memories of distressing experiences from the past and painful beliefs about oneself and the world. For sessions spent on challenging topics like trauma, I try to structure them so that we have time towards the end for grounding and planning for post-therapy self-care.