Frequently Asked Questions

 What types of issues can you help me with?

I am a trauma informed therapist and strongly believe in healing trauma in order to help resolve or improve other symptoms such as anxiety and depression. I provide professional and meaningful support for many life challenges, including but not limited to: self-esteem, relationship issues, body-image, grief and loss, trauma (including childhood wounds stemming from obvious abuse or neglect to less obvious forms of trauma), and processing life adjustments/transitions.

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Does it matter if I’ve never done therapy or counseling before?
Therapy can be helpful for anyone desiring support or change in their life. No previous experience is necessary! If you’ve been in therapy previously, you likely have some tools you can use in our work together and I encourage you to build upon them. In short, therapy can be helpful no matter if you’ve been before or if this is your very first time.

 

What is confidential (kept private) in counseling?
Everything disclosed in counseling remains confidential between those physically in the therapy room. There may be instances where I may suggest you to share information with someone in your life for your own therapeutic benefit. In accordance with Colorado state law, I am required to break confidentiality in the following instances: 

1. If you disclose intent, means & access to attempt suicide (this can be very different from feeling suicidal – ask me for further clarity in person or by phone)

2. If you disclose a plan to physically harm someone in the future and reasonably identify the person or their whereabouts (Tarasoff law)

3. If I have reason to believe that you, or someone you know, abused/neglected a minor (17 years of age or younger) or an elder (65 years of age or older)

 

What can I anticipate in my first counseling session?
Your first appointment will begin with reviewing the mandatory paperwork you were sent through the client portal. Completing the paperwork is required prior to our first session. You will be asked to give background information about yourself, any previous experience in therapy, and details about what you’re looking for in the therapy process. 

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Our first few sessions will be about getting to know each other, building a relationship, discussing what you'd like to work on, and getting comfortable with the therapeutic process. We will determine what goals you have and what you'd like to gain from therapy. 

 

Every person is different so the therapeutic process will look different for everyone. My approach incorporates different modalities to tailor my services to best meet your individual needs. 

 

How much does therapy cost & how long are appointments?
A typical counseling session is $175 for a 50-minute session. EMDR sessions are recommended to be 80 minutes as this helps reduce the length of therapy overall and increase progress during a single session, but this cannot be guaranteed. 80+ minute sessions are prorated. Longer sessions for individuals and couples are available upon request. Please contact me to learn more.

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Can I use my insurance or HSA/FSA?
I do not bill insurance directly. Upon request, I am happy to provide documentation (or superbill) that you may submit for reimbursement if you have out of network benefits. Please consult your insurance or HSA/FSA providers regarding your benefits.

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*Medicaid clients may not pay out of pocket for services and will need to use a Medicaid provider due to Medicaid guidelines. 

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Please see the Standard Notice and Consent Documents Under the No Surprises Act

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Reasons why I choose not to partner directly with health insurance:

Most people I work with are seeking counseling because they are struggling with complex life challenges. They are seeking healing and growth, but that does not mean they are "sick" or have a mental health disorder. In order for insurance to pay for therapy, the therapist must diagnose you with a "mental health disorder" and the therapist must prove that their work with you is "medically necessary." This limits confidentiality because a third party (the insurance provider) is involved with your therapy sessions and they get to determine if the work we are doing is valuable. And I want you to determine if you think the work we are doing is valuable.

 

To continue therapy using insurance, therapists have to show that you are still "sick" but that you are "progressing." While there are some very real mental health disorders that do require specific therapeutic treatments and medication to manage, the majority of the clients I see are not necessarily suffering from a "mental health disorder" but rather the repercussions of trauma, circumstances of environmental factors, and the struggles of being human. So, while many of the clients I see do not have diagnosable disorders, they do benefit from therapy. I work from a wellness model (rather than the sickness model) and much of my work is preventative in nature.

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Additionally, by not working with insurance companies, this allows me to spend more time directly with clients rather than filing paperwork. It allows me more time to complete continuing education and research, which directly benefits my clients. And it allows me to maintain a better work-life balance, which is something I encourage my clients to strive for as well. 

 

How long does counseling take?
The therapy process varies depending on your personal needs and goals for counseling. Therefore, it is difficult to give a time frame estimation. Please feel free to contact me to discuss this in more detail if you have questions. Long term healing and change takes time; it's a commitment to yourself. 

 

How often are therapy appointments?
Therapy appointments are recommended once per week for new clients. As clients reach their goals, they are then encouraged to step down to bi-weekly or monthly check-ins until they feel comfortable fully graduating from therapy with me. 

 

Where is your office located?
I provide teletherapy or virtual/remote therapy throughout Colorado so you can engage in therapy from the comfort of your own home or a safe, private, place that feels appropriate to you. 

 

What’s your cancellation policy?
To cancel an appointment you may email, call, or text me. I have a 48-hour cancelation policy, meaning that 48-hours notice must be given prior to you scheduled appointment. If you need to cancel your appointment in less than 48-hours prior to scheduled time, you will be charged for the full missed session fee. However, if there is availability in my schedule, you will be offered an opportunity to reschedule a make-up session within the next 6 days at no additional charge. 

 

Can we do remote sessions?
Yes! I offer video sessions using a secure internet based telehealth platform so you can attend sessions virtually from your home or anywhere you feel safe and secure.