What about infrequently asked questions???

I want to start here because I think it is so important. WHATEVER questions you might have about therapy in general or me as a therapist, PLEASE ASK! There are no dumb questions. I had a ton of questions and apprehensions about beginning my own therapy and that was while I was in grad school to become a therapist! Whatever’s on your mind, give me a call or send off an email and I would be more than happy to answer your concern. Please don’t let whatever nagging question or hold up prevent you from accessing all the help and support that therapy can provide.

Is my problem big enough for therapy?

Research has shown that psychotherapy helps with all sorts of issues. In short, talking helps. It’s common for folks to wait too long to seek therapy because they feel they’re problem isn’t “worthy” or “serious enough.” Just the fact that you’re here on this website shows that you’re looking for some help on something and, nine times out of ten, if you’re considering therapy it’s probably a good time to reach out. Give a call to set up a free 15 minute consultation or shoot an email and we can do it digitally and take it from there. No pressure.

When should I see a therapist?

If there’s something getting in the way of the life you want, you’re a good candidate for therapy. Sooner is better than later and you don’t need to be suffering from “mental illness” or “psychological problems” for therapy to be appropriate. Similar to the above question, if you’re thinking about therapy it’s probably a good time to reach out.

What happens during the free consultation?

I’ll spend most of the time listening to you. I want to know about the issue, why it’s causing a problem in your life, and why it’s got you stuck. Then I’ll probably tell you a little about how I think I can help and ask if you have any questions. PLEASE ask me whatever questions you have…there are no dumb questions! If it feels like a good match, we can set up a first session from there. Or, if you want some time to think about it, you can get back to me whenever is good for you. And, if it’s not a match, please feel free to tell me that or just don’t call me back. Really. My feelings will recover. The most important thing is that you find a good match with a therapist and if I’m not it, that’s ok.

What is therapy like?

It all depends. I work collaboratively and like a lot of feedback. So, our work together will be unique to you. I have training in many different approaches to therapy and have plenty of tools in the toolbox. Sometimes the work is very structured, with specific goals and even homework assignments to keep things moving along. The work can also be is less structured, more exploratory, with a focus on depth, insight, and discovery. The most important thing here is not to feel intimidated….it is just two people talking and I’m a highly trained, Texas-licensed talker and an even better listener. We’ll work together to find what works best for you and make adjustments along the way.

Will anyone know what we talk about?

No. What gets talked about in the therapy room stays there. Confidentiality is one of the most important aspects of my job and I take my ethical and legal obligations on this issue extremely seriously; it is the cornerstone of trust that is the foundation of good therapy. As a mandated reporter, there are instances when I am legally mandated to disclose portions of therapy. These cases are rare and will be discussed with you during the onboarding process.

How long will therapy last?

It all depends what works best for you. If we’re working on something very specific, it could be four or five structured and targeted sessions. If the focus of therapy is an ongoing issue or deeper, more profound change, the therapeutic relationship can last much longer. It’s important to know that the process is flexible. There can be pauses and breaks, extra sessions if needed to help during especially trying times, and even infrequent check-in sessions as a sort of maintenance strategy. Folks also return to therapy after being gone for months or years; it all works. Again, it is up to you and to us to create the therapy the fits best for you.

Do you take insurance?

My private pay rate is $150 per 50 minute session. I am in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield TX and can verify your insurance before our first session. For out of network clients, I can offer what is known as a superbill. It is an invoice to present to your insurance to request out-of-network reimbursement. In these cases, please note that the private pay rate is due before the session and out-of-network reimbursement will need to be worked out independently.

What about COVID19?

I offer both in person and virtual therapy sessions. In person sessions are accomplished with masks and social distance in the therapy room. Virtual sessions require a webcam (preferably) or a cell phone to work.