During our first session, I will ask you a lot of questions about yourself, such as your background, when you first started dealing with the issue that brought you therapy, and yes, possibly about your childhood, too. Some may feel dismayed in wanting to feel immediate change after a first session, which is not something I can guarantee. I will, however, give you a better sense of what to expect down the line as we plan your treatment together. A first session is also a wonderful time for you to gain information about what it feels like to sit with me, and if that’s something you’d like to do more of.

Finding a therapist can feel a lot like dating, with specific qualities that need to add up: is your therapist available at a time that works for you? Does your therapist specialize in the specific issue you are looking to work on? Is their office not impossible for you to get to? I’d describe “good fit” as a therapist not only fitting your needs on paper, but also being someone you vibe with. You are revealing parts of yourself to someone, and feeling a level of comfort is necessary, especially when you are investing your time, attention, and money into this type of self-work. And like dating, “good fit” can be tough to assess after a short meeting, and sometimes needs a bit more time to figure out. Throughout your journey of finding a therapist, don’t be afraid to trust your gut, as it likely holds a wealth of information about what feels right.

As a relational therapist, I see the relationship we build as an important instrument to change. This means that the beginning stage of therapy is when we set a foundation for the work by building our relationship. Meeting consistently each week will lead to feeling more of a difference in therapy. Once this foundation has been laid, meeting biweekly, or monthly, may make more sense.

It’s hard to say, and largely depends! I aim to provide tools that will assist with feelings of intense overwhelm, or feeling shut-down, and hopefully help you to feel more stable. Often, there is no specified timeline for when we get to the deeper work of exploring how we got to that place of overwhelm or shut-down. The saying “healing is not linear” hugely applies to the work you do in therapy, and like the rollercoaster of life, we will experience some ups and downs, and hopefully find some acceptance for the rollercoaster. Some may perceive therapy as an hour block of time where you can vent your thoughts, and that’s that. To truly feel a sense of change, it does also require a willingness to try things differently in your day-to-day. The amount of work you are willing to put in can make a huge impact on the type of change you experience.

I do not take insurance, and provide out-of-network services. I can provide you with a superbill, or a document that you later submit to your insurance provider. A superbill offers a review of services offered each month, alongside a diagnostic code. The money you invest in therapy will then go towards your deductible for possible reimbursement. This largely depends on your specific plan. I recommend reaching out to your insurance company using the number on the back of your insurance card to learn more about what benefits your plan offers for mental health, and if your plan covers you for out-of-network providers.

In compliance with the No Surprises Act, you are entitled to a good faith estimate for any medical service that is paid out-of-pocket (so without the use of your insurance). These documents are available upon request, and provide a review of specific services, the fees of those specific services, alongside diagnostic and health codes. Click here for more information.