Frequently Asked Questions
Do you take insurance?
I do not take insurance. However, I can provide a detailed out-of-network receipt. You may be able to submit this to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. I encourage all clients to check with their insurance company in regards to their policy coverage.
How much does a counseling session cost?
The cost for a standard, 50-minute counseling session is $150. I do not offer a sliding scale at this time.
How can I justify this cost? How do I know I'm getting my money's worth?
This is an important question to include because I am not blind to the financial commitment of counseling. It's also difficult to justify at times because "getting better" is not as visible as a physical wound. However, there is beginning to be a necessary systemic shift in the perspective on mental health within our culture. We are witnessing the effects of poor mental health and a lack of therapeutic intervention. Caring for the mind and the emotions is just as important as taking care of the body.
The second part of this answer is I am confident in my abilities as an Adolescent Therapist. I have worked in many different settings (foster home, psychiatric ward, residential home, victims advocacy agency, mentor program, public school, and private practice), continually researched relevant topics, and provided clients with an effective therapeutic space for years. One of the tenets of my practice is to involve the family as best I can. Through that exposure you can see the effects of counseling yourself. If you are still on the fence, I encourage you to call for a free consultation.
You mention including the family in sessions. What does this look like?
The age of the client largely directs my approach to family inclusion. Clients under the age of 14, I routinely bring the guardians in at the end of counseling. Prior to this, I had a discussion with the client about sharing what we learned in counseling that day. Ultimately it is up to the child to disclose any information. If it's difficult for them, that openness with family is something to work on within the counseling space. For clients older than 14, they have the right to privacy through HIPAA and I always do my best to respect that.
I do think family inclusion is vital so even above the age of 14 I am encouraging the client to share what was worked on in counseling. The only way progress can be made is if what is being taught in counseling is being reinforced everywhere else.
What counseling theory do you practice?
I largely have practiced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with a person-centered approach. CBT allows for the client to better understand the relationship between their feelings, emotions, and behaviors. Person-centered simply means I allow the client an active role in their counseling process. It is different than solution-focused which prioritizes providing a solution to the problem the client presents. I do not believe after meeting briefly that I am in a position to provide solutions and so I like working alongside the client in discovering the truth out themselves.
How long does counseling last?
The length of counseling can vary between individuals. Depending on the goals of counseling, we can have the conversation in therapy about our appropriate timeline. Therapy can last just a few months to many years for some people. I encourage all families to be open and honest about their expectations and desires.