FAQ's
I've tried therapy before and it didn't help. Why will this be different?
There are a thousand different ideas as to how people change and heal, and I'm not out to convince you of any particular one. I don't have a system or a manual that you have to conform to, I only ask that you willingly create a therapeutic relationship. When that happens, and you experience a new way of being, incredible things happen. Fear gives way to courage. Despair opens up into hope. Loneliness leads to connection. Trauma leads to resilience. You find yourself to be engaged, alive, and capable of living a life you love to call your own.
Can you do EMDR online?
Yes. With innovative platforms that enable real time, therapist directed BLS (eye movement/sound/tapping) over the internet, online EMDR is a safe and effective way to process anxiety, grief, depression, addictions, and traumatic events.
How long does therapy take?
Ultimately you get to decide how long you want to be in therapy. I've been working with some clients for years, while others only engaged therapy for 5 to 6 months. It really depends on your concerns and what you want to get out of therapy. Some pain takes a little nudge, other pain is more entrenched. When exploring attachment and family of origin, we are addressing very old, deeply held beliefs that take time to transform. When addressing trauma, clients often experience relief from presenting problems within a few months, only to find bigger, more daunting concerns waiting around the corner. Therapy is a process of self reflection and integration, and it's a process full of things you 'didn't think you needed to talk about.'
How much do you charge?
My current rate is $160 for a 50 minute session, and $225 for an 90 minute session.
I accept payment in the form of cash, check, credit card, and HSA. If you elect to input your payment information into my client portal, I will charge your card following each session. If you pay via cash or check, I accept payment at the beginning of each session.
Do you accept my insurance?
My practice is private pay only, so I do not accept or bill insurance.
This policy is not intended to limit your access to much needed support, rather its aim is to increase the quality of care I can provide.
Insurance companies can (and will) limit the number of sessions that are covered, and they will request copies of your client record, which includes notes on what happens in your therapy sessions. Additionally, insurance companies require patients to receive a formal mental health diagnosis from the DSM V (i.e. Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, etc). This is required to 'prove' medical necessity for therapy, will become part of your permanent health record, and may result in you having a pre-existing condition.
Seeking support to process your story, alleviate suffering, and grow towards healing doesn't automatically mean you have an illness or need a diagnosis. Nor should any one other than you have the power to determine the quality and duration of the care you receive.
If you would like to use your insurance for therapy, I am considered an out of network provider. Some of my clients utilize their out-of-network (OON) insurance benefits and are reimbursed for a portion of their out of pocket costs. I am able to provide you with the appropriate documentation required to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement (called a Superbill).
The best way to determine what your insurance benefits would be for therapy is to call your insurance company directly. You can usually find the number on the back of your insurance ID card (if there’s a specific Behavioral Health number, call that one). When you call ask about your “outpatient, out-of-network, mental health benefits”.