FAQ

Take your time to read through my website. If you sense that I may be a good fit, you can schedule a free phone consultation.

When we speak, you will get a feel for my vibe and can ask me any questions you have. Together, we can determine if it makes sense to work together.

If you decide to move forward with me, the first sessions are like an experiment. You will be able to experience the collaborative nature of our work and reflect on the parts the feel most helpful to you, and the parts you’re not a fan of.

The reality is that my personality and approach may not be an ideal fit for everyone - that’s okay! If you want to stop our work together at any point, I totally understand and will do my best to guide you to a mental health provider that will best meet your needs.

It’s hard to talk about painful things. It's natural to feel hesitant about sharing some of the difficult stuff you’ve been through. The good news is that YOU get to decide when you’re ready to bring in difficult topics. It doesn’t have to be the first session.

I'll be there to guide you toward making choices that align with your values and goals; however, you’re ultimately in the driver’s seat.

Many folxs come to therapy fearing that what they say or do in the counseling space could "get out." While there are some exceptions to confidentiality (such as if you are in danger or you are planning to cause harm to someone else), the time we spend together is protected. I am legally and ethically obligated to keep your privacy.

I highly value your trust. If you have specific questions about how confidentiality works and would like to hear more about the exceptions to confidentiality, you can ask during your free phone consultation or anytime during our work together.

You might be asking about how long therapy will take because you are currently struggling and want relief fast. If this is true for you, I want you to know that many of my clients have reported that, within the first few weeks of therapy, they gained a better sense of what is going on for them, have started using new skills, and feel a greater sense of hope for change in their life.

The total duration of therapy greatly varies from client to client, as each individual comes in with a unique history and skill set. Within 2-6 months, clients have typically learned numerous strategies to change their relationship to their feelings and thoughts so that they can live a more purposeful and fulfilled life. While some clients choose to end the therapy process at that time, other clients prefer to participate in longer-term therapy.

Overall, you can think of the first session as a conversation during which we are able to identify what you are hoping to achieve from therapy. I will invite you to share more about yourself and we can also talk about what’s worked or not worked for your mental health in the past.

Some questions that I like to ask during a first session include:

• What brought you to therapy?

• Have you gone to therapy before? How did that go?

• What goals would you like to reach by going to therapy?

You can ask me questions as well. You might be curious about why I'm a psychologist or how I've helped other clients like you.

The most important part of a first session to get an sense of what therapy with me is like and to determine if you want to continue working together. If you feel supported, seen, and at-ease with me, we can discuss if you’d like to meet again.

My fee is $275 per session. I can provide a “superbill” for reimbursement. I do have some discounted spots as well.

I do not take insurance as an in-network provider; however, I am an out-of-network provider for most insurance companies. It is possible that your insurance provider reimburses a portion of out-of-network services. If your insurance covers out-of-network outpatient therapy, I can provide a monthly superbill that you may submit to your insurance for reimbursement.

To find out what your insurance may cover, contact your insurance and ask if you have out-of-network mental health coverage. You may also want to mention the type of license that I have to ensure services with my type of credential are covered.

Other things you may want to ask about are:

• What your co-insurance payment will be

• Your deductible for out-of-network services

• How many visits you get per year

• If you need authorization for your visits

• The process of submitting a superbill

I accept all major credit cards (American Express, Discover, Mastercard), checks, Health Savings Accounts (HSA), Paypal, Venmo, and Zelle.

To cancel a scheduled therapy session, you need to let me know at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment. If you are unable to let me know that you cannot make our session at least one day before, you will be charged the full fee for the missed session. We will discuss this policy in our first meeting, and I can clarify any questions you may have.

As a health care provider, I am legally obligated to provide clients who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.

This estimate is called a "Good Faith Estimate" and explains how much your therapy services will cost. Here are a few key things about your Good Faith Estimate:

• You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.

• You may ensure that I give you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 3 business days before your therapy services. You can also ask me for a Good Faith Estimate prior to scheduling.

• If you receive a bill that is $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.

• It's recommended that you save a copy of your Good Faith Estimate for your records.

For further information about your Good Faith Estimate:

• visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises

• call 800-985-3059.

I get it. It’s anxiety-inducing to start with a new therapist OR to begin the therapeutic process for the first time. You are not alone in that feeling. As your therapist, I will create space in our sessions to process these fears. It can be scary to think of opening up or crying in front of someone new, especially if you have shame around feeling your feelings.

It takes courage to get the help you need.

Therapy is a space where you can be yourself and bring all of the feelings you may have into session, including feeling nervous. I’m committed to finding a way to care for your fear and ensure sessions are as comfortable as possible.

I’m here if you want to talk about it during a free phone consultation.