Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

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Why seek out help from a therapist? How does therapy work?

Despite therapists being everywhere it seems, therapy can still seem like a mystery. The media doesn't help as it promotes the vision of someone laying on the couch, whining, while some man or woman nods their head, legs crossed, pen and paper in hand, saying very little. This can be very off putting for survivors of sexual abuse and other traumas, as it feels deeply impersonal.

Therapy is not one size fit all. In my practice I see clients online, from the comfort and safety of their homes (and sometimes in their cars if they are running late). The point of therapy is to meet you where you and create a safe space for you as we begin to unpack everything that you've buried deep inside that is keeping you stuck in life. Not only that but I like to incorporate a lot of sensory and somatic techniques, which focus on movement and the mind body connection.

Therapy works by getting to know you the individual and your story, and also for you to get to know me and my skill set. In the beginning there is a lot of talking as we ask each other questions to learn more and feel more comfortable. As your therapist I don't just listen to the words you say or stories you share, but I look at your face and your body. I notice those slight shifts in your tone of voice or facial expressions that signal emotional distress. Often times these signs are so subtle that you don't even notice them, but I do.

When I notice these shifts I might stop you and have you attune (pay attention) to what's going on in that moment. This is the power of therapy. You see often times we just go on automatic all the time. Never really taking the time to notice whats going on inside unless its really big and by then it can often feel overwhelming. When you're overwhelmed you feel powerless and out of control, unsure of what to do. But by paying attention to those subtle signs you can often stop a trauma reaction (fight-flight-freeze) before it becomes full blown. You can also better identify your triggers and take the steps necessary to either avoid them or work through them if they are unavoidable.

Finally, therapy is about getting you unstuck from unhealthy patterns of behaviors that leave you feeling like crap. Whether this be dating the wrong person, an inability to speak up for yourself, or anger outbursts towards people you care about, therapy helps get to the root of the problem and gives you the tools you need to stop these behaviors, and new skills to replace them with.

Therapy is powerful and life changing, so get started today. Schedule your 90 minute intake session.

What is included in services?

Helping you find success on the road to healing and recovery from your past trauma is my highest priority, which is why I provide top notch services. These services include online sessions at a time and place that works best for you, email using a secure and confidential platform so that you can share what comes up for you in between sessions, and text messages to confirm or cancel appointments easily.

During each session we talk about what's going on for you, review the homework assignments given (yes you get homework-skills you learn in session to practice outside of session to increase your progress), and we may utilize movement such as yoga, grounding exercises, or whatever else fits your needs that day. You will typically leave each session with homework.

I know that seeking help can be scary but I hope that by making things easier for you, starting out with scheduling your assessment online, the process feels a little less scary for you.

Why don't you offer free consultations?

I understand that scheduling an appointment can be intimidating and you want to know what you're getting before you start. Many therapists offer a free consultation in order to get to know a persons needs more and for potential clients to ask questions to see if it's a good fit before deciding to work with them.

I believe that all of these are important and encourage you to get to know your potential therapist by asking them many many questions. What I have found is that when people come seeking help they have been holding everything in for so long that once they begin to share it's like a flood of emotions. By providing you with a 90 minute intake session you are able to share your story and ask all the questions you need. More important I gather information for the NMT brain map (learn more about that here) which is something you can take with you and share with a different therapist if you choose to go that route or better yet something that helps get us started much faster, as I can use the information to determine what areas to hone in to first.

The 90 minute assessment is an important start to our journey together. It's an opportunity for us to get to know each other, for you to share your goals, and to leave that session with actionable steps to help you on your path to healing and recovery.

Let's get started today, schedule your intake session now

How long does therapy last?

Therapy is a process of changing previous behaviors and interactions, which have been present for a long time which have been hiding you back, and engaging in new behaviors and interactions that move you forward to achieving your dreams and goals. In the beginning there is some resistance to this change, as change often makes us feel uncomfortable. We feel uncomfortable and anxious because we don’t know what we are getting ourselves into. What will the outcome be? This is why it is hard to say exactly how long therapy will last. On average I see clients, weekly, for about 9 months, but therapy can last any where from 3 months to many years. Each of us has our own pace and process and it’s ok if the process does not fit within this listed time frame, but please know that my ultimate goal is to graduate you out of therapy, with new found confidence and love for yourself that hasn't be present before.

Why does therapy cost so much? Why don't you accept insurance?

Therapy, like any expertise, comprises of experience and education, as well as time and materials. My rate is based on my clinical knowledge which includes my specialized skill set (trauma/child sexual abuse) and brain mapping certification (NMT). I understand that the cost can feel like a burden, primarily with all of the other stressors and expenses going on in your life. The cost of participation in therapy is the cost of taking care of yourself and your family's needs. To help you feel more confident and empowered. Therapy can help you find calm and sanity as you juggle everything in your life.

I do not accept insurance but I can provide you with a super bill, which you can provide to your insurance company to try to get reimbursed for the services (this is a very common practice that I can help you with). A super bill is an invoice for the services that you have received which includes diagnosis, code for services, the therapists information, etc. (Click here to see an example of the super bill I provide). I also offer a limited number of reduced fee services for members of the Open Path Collective

Ok I’m ready to schedule, how do I get started?

First off I know how hard it is to call up a therapist and talk about what is causing you pain, so I applaud you for taking this first step.

Second, getting started is incredibly easy. As an online therapist everything is done online. You start by scheduling a 90 minute intake. This can be done by going here. This is the time where we get to know each other. I gather a detailed history for the brain map and ask you about your goals. You get to also ask me anything so you feel comfortable.

If we determine that it would be a good fit we schedule our first session and I send you the opening paperwork via secure email. Then we conduct each session online using a secure and hipaa compliant server called zoom.