FAQ

Is your office local?
Yes, the office is in Douglassville, PA, and the address is on the website. It’s a home office in a neighborhood close to route 422. Having a home office gives a more relaxed feel when someone is anxious about starting therapy.
Do you offer telehealth sessions?
Yes, any session is available via video or phone. The video platform is HIPPA compliant, which keeps all sessions confidential. It’s as simple as logging onto the site and clicking the link to a secure connection.
What are your office hours?
Office hours vary Monday – Friday with day and evening availability. Depending upon need, weekend hours can be discussed.
What happens during the free initial consultation?
The initial call is a great way to connect and see what has been going on in your life. It’s an excellent way to make sure you feel like I’m a good fit for you and help you get comfortable with the process.
How long are the sessions?
Sessions are typically 50 minutes – 1 hour in length. There is an option to schedule additional time or request extra time during a session if warranted.
Do you accept insurance?
I do not bill your insurance company directly, but you can access payment using your out-of-network benefits. All reimbursement rates vary, so it’s best to contact your provider to identify the specifics of your policy.
What documents are needed to submit to the insurance company for reimbursement?
I will provide a monthly “Superbill” that you submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. A Superbill is a receipt for services, including all codes necessary for you to receive reimbursement from your provider. The amount of refund depends on your specific policy.
Can I use my Health Savings Account for payment?
Absolutely. HSA is a great way to access services and receive the cost-saving benefits of pre-tax medical dollars.
What other methods of payment do you accept?
All major credit cards are accepted using a HIPPA-compliant system. You will receive a text message, which prompts you to enter your credit card information on the secure site. The card stays on file, and each session is charged accordingly.
How do I make an appointment?
You can schedule initial consultations by calling or emailing me directly. After the initial consultation call, texting is a great way to reach me for a quick response.
Can I cancel an appointment?
Of course. Life happens, and sometimes we need to be flexible at a moment’s notice. Call or text to let me know you need to reschedule the session. There is a 24-hour late cancellation fee, should you need to cancel on short notice, so it’s best to cancel as much in advance as possible.
Do you work with children?
Children and adolescents receive the best treatment from someone who specializes in this specific age group. I focus my work on adults age 18+, which allows for a more mature therapeutic relationship.
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?
Expect that I will take your lead. We will start to get to know one another and develop a rapport. This process takes time. Sometimes, it happens quickly, and sometimes it’s gradual. The important thing to remember is that we are only talking, and you are in control of the information you share.
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?
Yes, I have a license to practice in the state of Pennsylvania. I received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology (1992), a master’s degree in Counseling (1997), and became licensed in 2007.
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?
I love humor and use it a lot in my work. Most of the time, it’s sarcasm, but rest assured, you will always know it’s to get a laugh out of you. Oh, one more thing, I know my audience, so I know when to use foul language and when to reel it in. I will always make you feel comfortable based on your personality. 🙂
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.