what happens in therapy, stays in therapy

what happens in therapy, stays in therapy

HOW IT WORKS

CONNECT

Following your initial contact, we will complete insurance verification (if applicable) to determine your co-pay. If you choose to move forward following this information, we will schedule a 15 minute consultation call. After getting to know you a bit, we will begin the intake process and schedule your first session. At this time, I only offer virtual sessions.

GET STARTED

The intake process consists of completing the following forms:

  • Intake questionnaire

  • Telehealth/email/text consent

  • Informed consent for treatment

  • Privacy policies

  • Credit/debit card payment consent

  • Late cancellation and no-show policies

All listed forms are completed digitally and must be signed before meeting for our initial session.

FIRST SESSION

Our first session is less of a therapy session and more of an opportunity to get to know one another and set expectations. We’ll explore a brief mental health and family history, identify current underlying obstacles, explore treatment goals, and create a plan that feels doable for you.

At the end of the session, we will determine if we are a good fit for one another. If we are, we will schedule our next session(s). I always recommend booking at least four sessions at a time to ensure scheduling availability.

WHAT’S THIS “THERAPY THING” ALL ABOUT?

IT’S ALL ABOUT YOUR NEEDS

All sessions are 45-53 minutes based on your payment method.

Therapy looks different for everyone. Some of us may need therapeutic support long-term, while some of us may need it short-term.

My long-term clients often use therapy to process trauma, manage chronic mental health symptoms, and/or continuously process various life events/stressors that arise.

My short-term clients often use therapy to achieve a primary goal and/or process a certain event.

This is collectively determined by your personal needs and my therapeutic suggestions.

Once you’re using therapy, this does not mean that you will always have be in therapy. There are often ebs and flows. However, if you feel you need to participate in therapy for the entirety of your life, that is okay too! Both are perfectly valid and common human experiences.

BENEFITS OF THERAPY WITH ME

  • A judgment-free environment where you will feel seen and heard

  • The opportunity to increase self-awareness and insight

  • Mental health symptom management

  • Increased ability to regulate emotions

  • Learning coping skills that are relevant to your needs

  • An increased sense of hope

  • Vulnerability, trust, and a sprinkle of humor

IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU

My therapeutic approach is compassion focused, person-centered, and trauma informed. I specialize in trauma/PTSD, bipolar disorder, and life transitions. I have experience working with clients that struggle with substance abuse, anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder, mood disorders, relationship issues, stress, body image/self esteem issues, and general men’s/women’s issues.

I currently see clients in young, middle-aged, and late adulthood. As a military child and spouse, I value working with active-duty, veterans, and their family members.

I believe that the best course of treatment often involves a combination of therapeutic techniques. I utilize the following techniques in my approach: attachment-based, cognitive behavioral (CBT), dialectical behavior (DBT), emotionally focused, family systems, motivational interviewing, and strengths-based.

THERAPEUTIC APPROACH

WHAT WILL OUR THERAPY SESSIONS LOOK LIKE?

Therapy sessions look different for everyone. However, it is important to remember that like many aspects of life, you get out of therapy what you put into it. It is normal to be a little guarded initially, however, overtime it is important to express transparency and openness.

The outcome of your treatment depends largely on your willingness to engage in this process, which may, at times, result in considerable discomfort. I can promise to support you, do my best to understand you and repetitive patterns, and help you clarify what it is that you need and want for yourself.

YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, I HAVE ANSWERS

  • Not everyone “needs” therapy, but I strongly believe that we can all benefit from it in some form or fashion!

  • My doctorate is in clinical social work, therefore I am not able to prescribe medication, however, I am happy to provider referrals for providers that do!

  • I currently am unable to provide formal assessments for diagnoses including but not limited to: attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

  • I try my best to collaborate with individuals that are on disability benefits/disability accommodations in efforts to provide advocation. I am always happy to provide a formal letter that discusses your diagnoses and our past/current therapeutic progress.

  • There can be various reasons we may not be a good fit: inability to commit to current policies, issues that do not align with my specialties, etc. Whatever the reason may be, my goal will always be to help you meet your needs. I will happily provide referrals for other providers if either of us determine that we are not be a good fit.

  • Of course! I strongly believe that the therapeutic process thrives off of getting to know one another. However, there may be times that I am unable to answer certain personal questions that have the potential to violate the ethical code my license mandates.

  • If there is ever a possibility that we have a mutual relationship that may compromise the therapeutic process, we will discuss the possible implications.

    If I at any point identify a mutual relationship, I will always discuss it with you and ask that you do the same.

  • Due to the ethical code my license mandates, we are not able to follow one another on social media, even when/if our therapeutic relationship ends.

  • You are always welcome to say hi. I will never initiate contact in efforts to maintain your confidentiality.

  • We will collectively make this decision as everyones’ needs differ. I have clients that I meet with 2x a week, weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly. This often fluctuates based on life-changes!

  • PLEASE! I often try to follow your lead on what is discussed and brought up in sessions. However, I can sometimes “miss the mark”. Therapy is your time, your dime, and for YOU. At any point you can shift to something that feels more useful or pressing to you.

  • This often comes down to your achieved goals and identifying how we’ll know if we’re heading in the right direction.

    There’s no “right way” to do therapy. It looks different for all of us.

  • I’m invested in remembering and recording important aspects of our sessions in order to provide you with the best possible care.

    If you utilize insurance, insurance companies require documentation in order to accept claims.

    If you are at any point curious about my notes, I am happy to discuss them with you.

  • Ask away! I don’t always have an answer, but I will always try my best to provide you with one.