Is your office local?
Do you offer telehealth sessions?
What are your office hours?
What happens during the free initial consultation?
How long are the sessions?
Do you accept insurance?
What documents are needed to submit to the insurance company for reimbursement?
Can I use my Health Savings Account for payment?
What other methods of payment do you accept?
How do I make an appointment?
Can I cancel an appointment?
Do you work with children?
Do you specifically work with a particular population?
Our world is diverse; therefore, I work with a wide array of people. Whether someone is LGBTQIA or comes from various cultures, ethnicities, and religions, each person is unique and treated uniquely.
Sometimes, an individual is looking for a specific type of therapist (i.e., a Christian counselor), which is an example of how beneficial it is to have the initial consultation. At that time, I will make the appropriate referrals.
How do I know if you’re a good fit for me?
I tell everyone to trust their gut. Ask questions, listen to your instincts, and be honest with yourself. You’ll know if you feel comfortable talking to me and if you feel I can help during our initial conversation.
If you are ready to start the therapy process, it’s essential to have that initial level of comfort so you can open up and start working on a healthier you.
What can I expect in the first session?
How long will I be in therapy?
There is no set length of time, and it’s entirely up to you. We work at your pace, and we re-evaluate your progress along the way. Sometimes, the readiness isn’t quite there, so it takes a bit longer, and at other times, things happen unexpectedly along the way, and the therapeutic focus changes for a bit.
No matter what happens, you are in control, and we will always take a close look at where you are in the process. I will meet you there.
How does relationship counseling work?
Relationship counseling is a unique situation because readiness depends on two people. When couples enter therapy, sometimes their goals are not the same. We need to first establish the goals for therapy as each person views them.
We then determine if the work begins with getting on the same page or working toward an amicable separation. Yes, it happens sometimes. People are not in agreement with the goal of couples therapy, or they are both looking to separate peacefully.
When the goals are the same, we generally start with working on communication skills. We are establishing a starting point for the relationship, building a new connection, which leads to a rejuvenation of love and commitment to each other.
How long have you been in practice?
My career started a very long time ago, beginning right after I graduated college in 1992. Yes, you read that correctly…1992. 🙂
I have worked with individuals, couples, families, children, incarcerated adults, and those struggling with substance reliance. My work has occurred in a variety of settings since that time.
What is your educational background and are you a licensed therapist?
Can you prescribe medication?
Only a medical doctor can prescribe medicines. Therapists and Psychologists are not MDs; therefore, we can make recommendations based on our evaluation of each person.
If we determine that medication may be a helpful tool in your treatment, we will thoroughly discuss it and help you understand the recommendation. Based on your decision, we will then determine how to incorporate this into your treatment and where you can go start this process.
Have you ever been to therapy yourself?
Absolutely! There are so many reasons why people seek therapy, and it happens at different times in our lives. I have needed help with various things over the years and have significantly benefited by unloading on a therapist.
During those times, I was able to sift through my thoughts, learn how to manage them better, and use the support to grow as a person. We are ever-changing, and life continues to happen. I’m sure I will need it again in the future and will be happy to have the support during difficult times.
What is your greatest strength as a therapist?
When asked this question, the first thing that comes to mind is my ability to be real with people. I don’t talk to people as a therapist; I speak to them as another person who has some knowledge and skills to pass along.
We are all only human beings trying to do our best in this life, and everyone needs additional help from time to time. After all, I wouldn’t take my car to a dentist if I needed a repair, nor would I expect a teacher to be able to perform surgery.
We ALL have something to offer others in this world; it’s about uncovering that something and applying it.
What type of personality do you have?
What do you share about your personal life?
I will share whatever I think would help you or help you know that I completely understand your feelings. Sometimes, there are issues or experiences that I truly relate to on a personal level, and sometimes, it’s about knowing what a pain-in-the-neck parenting can be!
Regardless, if I can tie my experience with my skills as a therapist, and it will help you, I’ll share.
Cats or dogs?
I love this question – BOTH, of course! I am a true animal lover and a firm believer that our pets are family. I have three cats and a dog in my family (which is a story in itself, and sometimes I think I have too many), but I love them with all my heart.
The best thing about having pets is getting to know their different personalities and loving them all the same.