Frequently Asked Questions
Where is your office?
Do you use Zoom for virtual therapy?
No. I use a platform called SimplePractice for your client portal.
SimplePractice organizes your appointments, hosts the video sessions, and assists with scheduling, form completion, and billing.
What are your hours?
Hours vary by week. You can view my schedule here.
What if your open days and times don’t work for me?
How long are your sessions?
How much do you charge?
I charge $125 for a 50-minute session.
If more time is needed, an additional $25 will be billed in 20-minute increments (e.g., a 70-minute session would be $150, or a 90-minute session would be $175).
Payment is due upon completion of the session. An invoice will be sent via email. All major credit and debit cards are accepted through your personalized, confidential client portal (website and app).
Do you take insurance?
How do I set up an appointment?
Please consult my schedule to arrange a free 15-minute consultation or an appointment.
What is your cancellation policy?
Appointments should be canceled 24 hours prior to your scheduled appointment time.
In the event of a late cancellation or “no show,” you’ll be billed $50 for the missed appointment.
That said, we understand extenuating circumstances and can waive the cancelation fee at our discretion.
With what age range do you work?
I work with ages 15 and above.
However, if you are a parent seeking performance-enhancement therapy for your child athlete, I will work with children 10 and up.
Do you work with women, men, or couples?
I work with men and women individually.
Occasionally, a client may benefit from having their partner or spouse attend a session. When that is the case, I will work with the couple.
What do you actually do in sessions with clients?
The initial session is spent reviewing your history, discussing the issues that have brought you to therapy, considering your treatment goals, and forming a plan for future sessions.
I will also give you a few different tools and techniques to give you immediate symptom relief.
Following the intake appointment, sessions are tailored to address your presenting complaint, past trauma, and preferred future outcomes.
Do your clients receive assignments between sessions?
Tools and techniques are discussed in session, which you’ll implement outside of session.
The more you invest in learning and using the skills between sessions, the better results you’ll get.
What modalities do you use?
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is designed to resolve unprocessed traumatic memories in the brain. If you feel “stuck,” it could be because your brain can’t work through a past event or current trigger.
By stimulating both sides of the brain, EMDR helps the brain resume its natural healing functions. Bilateral stimulation (BLS) can take the form of back-and-forth eye movements or using audio or physical taps on the left and right sides of your body.
EMDR is equally effective when done virtually or in person, and for many, it works faster than other psychotherapies.
What’s your professional training and experience?
I completed my first EMDR training in 2011 and have since mastered EMDR for groups and individuals suffering from trauma and various compulsions.
Over the past 15 years, I have worked as a psychotherapist, counselor, and coach for non-profit organizations, community counseling agencies, hospital systems, private practices, and coaching programs.
I’m also a trained magician. Just kidding! I wanted to see if you read this far. 🙂
What else do I need to know to make the most out of working with you?
I am not a butterfly-and-rainbows type of therapist. I am compassionate, empathetic, and kind… but I’m also direct.
If you just want someone to talk to, that’s not me. I will challenge you and support you as we address difficult issues.
I’m good at what I do, but therapy is only as effective as YOU allow it to be. I won’t work harder than you, and I expect YOU to do the work. When you show up, I will give you everything I have to help you create the life you desire and deserve.
Is it okay to swear in session?
You were listed as a Christian counselor. What does that mean?
I received my first communion at a Catholic Church while I was attending an Assembly of God Church with my family. I’ve gone to non-denominational churches, attended a Baptist college for my undergraduate education, and gone to a Lutheran college for my master’s degree. I worked in youth ministry for seven years, but I don’t attend church right now. So, I’m a “spiritual mutt” who doesn’t believe a church, denomination, or religion defines me.
My faith is a significant part of my life, but that doesn’t mean it needs to be a part of therapy sessions. Over the years, I have found a balance in incorporating faith into sessions with clients who want that. However, most of my work has been in secular systems (Aurora Health Care, community health, etc.), where spiritual conversations are rare.
In my practice, I will always respect and honor your belief systems. I follow your lead when it comes to faith and therapy.
What do you do for fun?
I watch a lot of youth hockey and soccer. My son plays hockey and baseball, and he’s thinking about trying lacrosse.
My daughter is in club soccer and competitive gymnastics. She also wants to try volleyball and play softball this spring.
So, most of my weeknights and weekends during the winter are spent at an ice rink, indoor soccer field, or gym. Summer months are filled with baseball games and soccer matches.
When my husband and I get a rare evening away, we enjoy a good dinner and a craft cocktail. I also love coffee and decorating for holidays and parties.