What exactly is therapy?

Therapy – also referred to as psychotherapy or counseling – is the process of meeting with a credentialed professional on an ongoing basis to help you recognize and change deep-rooted, potentially self-sabotaging mental and emotional behaviors, thoughts, and patterns that are hurting you and keeping you from living your best life.

What can I expect from our first session?

Our first in-person meeting is what’s known as an intake session. During our first session, I will be gathering your case history and an understanding of your background. Together we’ll talk about why you have chosen to pursue therapy, as well as what your goals are for our time together. It’s also an opportunity for you to get to know me, to ask any questions you may have, and to see how you feel about the experience. At the end of our session, we can decide together if it feels right to move forward in scheduling another session and beginning the rest of the therapeutic journey. Please note that I charge my full fee for the intake and assessment session. It is not complimentary.

If you would like to assess if we’re a good fit before the first session, I do offer a complimentary 20-minute consultation call. Please book this before you sign up for your intake session.

Do you accept insurance?

No, I don’t accept insurance. I want to protect your privacy and provide tailored therapy to address your needs without having to submit a diagnosis to an outside agency with information regarding the issues we are addressing.

However, I’m happy to work with you to provide itemized receipts for your insurance company for partial or full reimbursement for your out-of-network therapy benefits.

Therapy’s an added cost. Is it worth it?

Therapy is an investment in yourself. It improves the quality of your life by increasing your awareness of self-sabotaging patterns and replacing them with healthier ways of functioning. This carries over throughout your life and into your personal relationships. The ability to think and behave more effectively with clearer boundaries and self-awareness positively impacts your relationships, your work, your health, and even your finances. I truly believe that investing in therapy as an act of self-care can be a continued investment in your overall well-being and success in life.

I only want to come into therapy every other week. Is that something you do?

Initially, I only see clients on a weekly basis. Psychotherapy works best within the context of a trusting and caring relationship and, in my experience, it takes weekly sessions to create a strong, effective container which allows for us to deepen the work – for you to experience the change you desire. Working on an every-other-week basis simply doesn’t allow the work and change to deepen or happen as effectively. After having worked together and implemented some changes, we will reexamine where we are and assess if it is necessary to come in as frequently.

How do I know if you’re the right therapist for me?

Choosing a therapist is a very personal decision. There are people you want to tell your story to, and there are people you don’t. Therapy is only as effective as the relationship between therapist and client. Because of this, I believe the best way to determine if a psychotherapist is right for you is to book a session and simply meet. Trust your instincts when you are with them. Ask yourself: “Can I see myself feeling safe and comfortable with this person? Does it seem like they understand me?” You can also ask yourself this question during an initial phone consult before you book that first session.

What kind of clients do you work with?

I work with individuals, couples, and families of all different identities and ethnicities from all over the world. While some of my clients have been to therapy before, the vast majority are embarking on a journey of self-discovery through therapy for the first time. While my clients’ professions, ages, ethnicities, gender expressions, sexual orientations, religions, family backgrounds, and lifestyles vary widely, all of them share something in common: they are people who are in pain and who are at a point where they’re willing to commit and invest in themselves – in therapy – in order to create something different in their lives.

How long does therapy last? How will I know when I’m done?

The duration of therapy looks different for everyone. For some, six months following an acute stressor (such as a breakup or loss of a loved one) is adequate. For others looking to change deeply-rooted patterns and belief systems, the process may take longer. On average, I see my clients for minimum of 12 months. You can trust that you and I will keep checking in throughout our work together to determine if it feels appropriate and timely to end therapy.

Is online video counseling confidential and private?

Yes! As much as it possibly can be. I conduct online video counseling primarily through FaceTime, as I have found that it is most convenient for most of my clients and more secure than other modes. I also insist that clients take their online video sessions in a closed, private room to ensure privacy. I do everything possible to comply with data privacy and security provisions for safeguarding your medical information.

How does online video counseling work?

At the start of your scheduled session time, I will have you FaceTime me. When I accept the call, a window will pop up with my face, you will see and hear me, I will see and hear you, and then you can then begin your 50-minute session as you would if you were sitting here in my office. At the end of the 50 minutes, we will end the video call.

Is online video counseling as effective as in-person therapy?

It certainly can be! Whether you are in-person or video conferencing, the single biggest thing that will make therapy effective is whether you and I have a good bond and if you feel comfortable with me. In my experience, I have found that there are advantages and disadvantages. Clients appreciate being in the privacy of their own homes. They are not stressed by traffic and challenges arriving at my office on time. For many clients it has been more beneficial. It allows me to monitor more subtle emotional shifts in a client as I am looking closely at their faces.

That said, what’s ideal is if you can make it into my office at least once to meet me in person if your life and schedule allows. This can often make the connection feel “more real” but, again, it’s not necessary and many of my clients who live far away find the connection just as effective as if they were working with someone in person.

I actually want things to change things in my life, not just to discuss how I’m feeling.

I think there’s a big misconception out there that therapy means just talking and talking about the past without ever acting on the present. I certainly don’t operate that way as a therapist. While we will always create space to talk about your past and the feelings that surface as we explore this, I’m a very direct and engaged therapist who actively works with my clients to design interventions, exercises, and thoughtful action steps if that’s what you’re looking for as part of therapy.

There must be something wrong with me if I need therapy; I should be able to handle this and figure it out on my own, right?

Making the decision to seek out therapy isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a wise act of self-care to reach out for support from a trained professional. You’d reach out to a doctor for help setting your broken bone or to a lawyer if you needed help filing divorce paperwork, wouldn’t you? It’s no different when it comes to your mental and emotional health. Reaching out for professional support is an act of self-care to address the challenges you’re facing.

What are some reasons people might want to work with you?

New clients reach out to me for a number of different reasons. Some may be in crisis: the death of a loved one, a devastating break up, a son or daughter with addiction issues. Some clients have a general sense that things just aren’t working in their lives – they feel anxious or depressed. But I would say that almost all of my clients begin working with me because they have a sense of wanting something better for themselves – whether it’s a loving, committed relationship, work that they adore, or a greater sense of freedom, joy, and ease in their lives – and they don’t quite fully know what it will take to get there.

It is always an honor when someone feels that I understand them and can join them in finding a healthier way of life. Most of my clients experience me as honest and authentic. I work hard to understand my clients and meet them wherever they are – with no judgment or preconceived notions about who they are or what they should do. Therapy is not about giving advice! It’s about empowering YOU to make the right choices for you and your best life.

How do you work as a therapist?

As your therapist, I work hard to create a safe environment where, for 50 minutes each week, the world slows down. Together we can compassionately explore, understand, and transform behaviors, thoughts, and patterns that hold you back from ultimately living the life you want to live. My style as a therapist is warm and challenging, direct and engaging. I’m relationally-oriented. What that means is that I truly believe that it is through our early relationships, certain patterns are established and certain wounds are created; it is only then through relationship that these can shift and be healed. When we work together as therapist and client, it’s actually the relationship between us that becomes the therapy in addition to the all of the ways we explore, address and clarify the content you bring into the room.

How long is a therapy session?

Therapy sessions are 50 minutes in length. Occasionally, and as my schedule permits, my clients will book a double session of 100 minutes if they are experiencing a crisis or acute stress in their lives that week.

Is what I share confidential?

Absolutely. What you share with me in our sessions is completely confidential except in the case of 1) immediate threat of harm to self or other, 2) suspicion of child or dependent elder abuse, 3) in the case of a court subpoena. We’ll discuss all of this and my other office policies during your initial intake session.

Where are you located? Is there parking?

I am located in East Nashville and there is easy parking.

What if you’re not the right therapist for me?

I know that choosing the “right” therapist can sometimes feel overwhelming and confusing, and I want to help you feel totally at ease about booking a session with me. This is why I encourage you to check out my specialties, my bio, my FAQs,  and my testimonials. After this, if you’re still not sure if I’m the right therapist for you, please feel free to contact me to set up a 20-minute consultation call so I can answer any remaining questions you have. If it turns out that I’m not the best therapist match for you, I’ll provide with you additional referrals to other therapists who may be a good fit.