Yes, I am currently accepting new clients. We can speak during a phone consultation to check in about scheduling and see if we are a good fit.
I have limited availability for evening and weekend sessions. Please reach out and I can do my best to accommodate your schedule.
The first step to starting therapy is to have a phone consultation to discuss reasons for seeking support and to decide if we are a good fit. After that, you will complete new client paperwork from the website.
We then will have a scheduled intake appointment for 60-90 minutes where we go over what you're wanting from therapy, your background, and so on. If you are utilizing insurance, a mental health diagnosis will likely be discussed during this intake appointment.
After the initial intake session, sessions generally last around 45-50 minutes where I support you with your goals, ask questions to gain some insight, and give research proven techniques to support your needs.
I have the expectation that my clients will come to session with topics and situations to discuss and share insight about their week. We can talk about emotions, thoughts, practice scenarios, make plans, and engage in activities to support more positive relationships, more understanding of self, and better control of emotions.
Sessions generally occur every week, but can be changed to accommodate needs and scheduling.
For the safety of my clients, my community, and my family, I am currently providing the majority of my therapy services online with telehealth therapy. There are benefits of telehealth such as convenience, less wait times or commutes, less barriers for attendance, and studies have shown that it is just as effective as in person therapy.
Telehealth is therapy provided through a HIPAA compliant video platform. That just means that it is more secure than Skype or Facebook video chat. A client can access this platform from their smartphone, tablet, or computer as long as there is internet connection. Streaming a television show or movie uses about the same amount of internet as telehealth therapy does. Telehealth is also called video therapy, teletherapy, remote therapy, or e-therapy.
I ask clients to find an appropriate place where they are comfortable to speak freely, often not being able to be overheard. Different people utilize different places such as an office, car, or room in their home. A public place generally will not allow someone to speak as freely and honestly as needed for therapy.
On average, clients are seen for three to nine months, but I don't make a decision about how long therapy would last. Some people want to work through several sessions on a specific area or problem. Others want to learn about themselves, their symptoms, those around them or even deal with a major traumatic event and how this affects their life. I support clients in the length of treatment that works best for them.
Sometimes the best techniques are, in fact, utilized outside of the therapy sessions. I often ask people to view exercises as experiments and notice behaviors, changes, reactions, and goals in their week. Meeting together will support change, but often the most progress is made by those who are willing to take techniques into their everyday life.
Not every therapist is a good fit for every client. The right fit is important in making progress and gaining the support and safe space needed to succeed in therapy. Phone consultations can make it easier to figure out if I would be a good fit for you or if there would be another therapist that would be a better fit.
It is a good thing to have gained insight from previous experiences and this can be helpful for a therapist to know as well. If we are working together and it doesn't feel like the right fit, I support your desire to discuss changes or what may work better for you during sessions. If the right fit doesn't happen with me, I do want you to find the right fitting therapist. I have a network of therapists, and could refer to one that has availability if that is helpful.
I do not have the ability to prescribe medication. I start therapy by looking at your needs and working to reach goals by utilizing effective strategies. If everything is tried and these tools are not giving you the support needed, a referral can be made to a psychiatrist on your request. If you are currently on prescribed medication that benefits you, I support that. In my experience, medication can be a needed addition and I will support you in whatever decision you make regarding medication.
Payment is accepted through Blue Cross Blue Shield and United insurance (if there is a mental health diagnosis previously given or diagnosed at the intake appointment). I also offer self pay agreements with cash or major credit cards. I contract through a HIPAA compliant company, IvyPay, for all of the credit card charges. Additionally, I can provide a Superbill for your insurance company and, at times, insurance companies may reimburse some therapy fees.