I may be biased, but I think almost everyone can benefit from being in therapy at some point in their lives. Life is challenging, and even those who are fortunate in life can have serious struggles coping at times. Some indicators that therapy may be needed are symptoms like anxiety, panic attacks, poor sleep, depressed mood and low motivation, loss of pleasure in life, engaging in unhealthy or unhelpful behaviors like excessive use of substances, alcohol, or food to cope with boredom or negative feelings. People who find they have trouble maintaining relationships or find that they have unequal or unsatisfying relationships can use therapy to learn about why this may be so and how to make changes that result in more fulfilling relationships. This can be true of unhappy work situations as well. Therapy can provide valuable support for those in periods of change or loss. People who are struggling with serious mental health issues such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, severe anxiety disorders, or personality disorders absolutely benefit from therapy. Some people who are “just” feeling unhappy, restless in life, or feel that they just don’t know who they are can find answers and a renewed sense of self and purpose through therapy. And finally, people who are survivors of all kinds of trauma, big and small, can find long-lasting relief.

I have worked with hundreds of clients and seen so many benefits from working in therapy. I, too, have experienced the transformative power of psychotherapy in my own life. If you have read this far, chances are probably pretty good you are thinking therapy may be for you. You are free to schedule a consultation call with me to discuss your situation and whether you think therapy is needed, and if I am the right provider to help.

It depends on what your goals are and how complex your situation is. I work with each client to form a plan for treatment that addresses what is needed for healing and considers a client’s availability for sessions. Some folks can accomplish what they want in a short period of time, and others may need months or years to achieve the recovery they want. Some people choose to accomplish some goals and take a break from treatment and then return later if they feel the need. Whatever the case, the length of treatment is ultimately up to the client.

Abundant research shows that the most important factor in the success of psychotherapy is the quality of the relationship between the client and therapist. My intent is to partner with a client to create a space where they feel safe to fully be themselves and bring any problem to the work without fear of judgment or being misunderstood. My style is collaborative and fairly active (in other words, I don’t simply listen and nod). I love to provide education and resources so that a client is empowered to develop their understanding of themselves and their significant others and develop their own “inner therapist” skills that will last a lifetime. I use an eclectic blend of perspectives and modalities that I have gathered over my 15 years of practice with diverse populations and work to tailor each client’s sessions to their particular strengths and needs. I enjoy the use of humor and expressive arts when appropriate, and always appreciate questions and feedback about how I am showing up in the therapy room. Therapy thrives on feedback, and one of the skills I hope to help clients with is being able to be able to speak up for what they need.

As a clinical social worker, I do not prescribe medications. That is the role of a physician or nurse practitioner.

I am familiar with most medications and the conditions they are prescribed for, having worked in clinical settings alongside prescribers for many years.

I am supportive of the use of medication for mental health conditions and happy to coordinate care with your medication management provider.

However, medication alone is not usually enough for optimal recovery. Lifestyle and behavior changes are important, and I can support clients in those as well.  

I do not accept health insurance for payment of my services. The primary reason is that insurance companies have control over the work we can do together in ways that are not beneficial to your recovery or to my process as a clinician. Your insurer will only pay for the treatment of a medical problem and one that they deem serious enough to pay for. This requires that I provide a diagnostic code, and this becomes part of your medical record. The insurance company can dictate how long a session can be, how often we meet, and what kind of work we do together, and how much they will pay. Additionally, they have access to my therapy notes and can audit them to ensure that you are still “sick” enough to need treatment and that, in their assessment, my interventions fit the diagnosis. They can decide after the fact that the care was not warranted and take back payment. Billing insurance for services and following up can be time-consuming and frustrating. I’d rather spend my time working for my clients on their recovery and well-being and increasing my training and study. 

I’m dedicated to providing a high level of care that gets results for my clients. To do so, I need to limit the number of clients I am meeting with per week. And to do that, I need to charge a somewhat higher fee than the insurance companies allow and eliminate the costs that come with the administrative duties needed to manage insurance claims. 

This is certainly possible, depending on your insurance coverage. You can check online to see if you have “out-of-network benefits.” You can find this under your summary of benefits. Call your insurer and ask the following questions:

• Do I have out-of-network coverage for mental health/behavioral health services provided through telehealth? (If the answer is “no,” then you will not be eligible for any reimbursement when you see an out-of-network provider). If yes, proceed.
• What is my annual deductible? How much of the annual deductible has been met this year?
• How many sessions per year does my plan cover?
• How much does my insurance plan reimburse for an out-of-network provider for CPT code 90837?
• What is my copayment or co-insurance (if applicable)?
• Do I need a referral from my primary care physician?
• What is the home and mailing address you have on file? (It’s important to ensure checks are issued to the correct address.)
• How do I submit a superbill? Is there an online portal or fax number, or do I need to mail in a copy?
• What is the time limit to submit a “superbill”?

My hourly rate is $185 for individual therapy and $200 per hour for couples or family work. EMDR Intensives are $150 an hour. Therapy is an investment in yourself, your relationships, and your future. Paying out of pocket for therapy can be a significant expense, but the value of reducing suffering and achieving healing and growth can certainly be worth it.