Frequently Asked Questions
Do you accept insurance?
Yes, at this time I accept Aetna, Healthnet, and Medicare insurance. However, I always encourage you to contact your health plan for the most up-to-date information on your copay and deductible. I can also provide you with a superbill once a month if I am not in-network with your insurance.
Do you prescribe medication or write recommendations for legal accommodations?
I do not prescribe medication and I am unable to provide recommendations for legal accommodations.
Do you use AI in your practice?
At this time, I have made a deliberate decision to not incorporate AI in my practice. I do not use AI tools for documentation, treatment development, or client data storage purposes.
Do you offer sliding scale?
At this time, I am unable to offer any sliding scale slots. However, I am definitely working toward incorporating sliding scale options in my practice in the future as I genuinely believe in making therapy services more accessible. I would also encourage folks who are interested in sliding scale to always ask the therapist. Another great way to explore low-cost or sliding scale options is through Open Path Collective and your local counseling centers.
How long are the appointments? Am I going to be in therapy forever?
Typically, appointments last about 50 minutes, on a 1x/weekly basis. However, I am also open to discussing with clients a bi-weekly or monthly schedule. Some clients find they have received benefit from therapy and would like to end services between 12-24 sessions. Other clients, particularly those with more complex or long term challenges may continue their care for beyond one year.
I don’t view therapy as a “forever” process. My goal, very transparently, is to put myself out of a job one day. As a therapist, I am ethically responsible for ensuring your care is effective. I will regularly check in with client’s on progress toward their goals, and if we are not seeing progress, it is my responsibility to end care and support you in finding a provider that may better fit your needs. Similarly, I believe clients typically know when they’re ready to end care. The decision to conclude therapy is a collaborative one, based on the progress you have made and your readiness to move forward on your own.
What is therapy?
Therapy is a collaborative process where therapists and clients meet in confidential and nonjudgmental space. It is a dedicated time to explore life challenges that may be impacting your daily life, relationships, or your overall sense of well-being.
While therapy can be a space for relief and insight, it is not always easy. Sometimes, we may have emotionally difficult or even challenging discussions that can lead to some discomfort. Therapy is not a space aimed toward avoiding or ignoring discomfort, but to create a safe environment where there can be space for self-reflection, personal growth, and progress toward lasting emotional wellness.
How will I know we’re a good match?
Honestly, the answer is “I don't know”, at least not until we meet. There’s no perfect formula for human connection and I cannot promise that there will be a ‘click’ based on what you’ve read on my website. In my experience, it takes getting to know someone before deciding if you feel safe and trusting enough to do the work of therapy together.
I offer a 15 minute free consultation as an initial chance at exploring that potential match. This gives us a chance to talk briefly, and for you to get a sense of my style and whether you may feel comfortable working with me.
I also want to be clear that the therapeutic relationship is voluntary. My goal is to support you in accessing the support you need, whether it’s with me or another provider. If at any point we recognize that we are not a good fit, I will not take it personally. Rather, it is my ethical responsibility to support you in accessing care that feels right for you.
Is therapy ‘effective’?
Research has show that therapy is effective for a wide range of mental health concerns and life challenges. However, it is difficult to attempt to quantify the ‘effectiveness’ of therapy. For example, therapy can lead to more tangible positive outcomes such as symptoms reduction, having more coping skills to navigate difficult emotional challenges or situations, improving relationships with yourself and others, or increasing self-awareness or insights.
At the same time, some of the more lasting outcomes of therapy can be less measurable. These can include being able to “trust” someone again, or feeling more hopeful, or even being able to “love yourself”.
While the research is clear on the effectiveness of therapy, what that experience looks like can be very different for each individual. Our work together will be focused on your unique goals, whether they are tangible or deeply personal.
Why is therapy so expensive?
This is a very valid question, and I’d like to answer this transparently. The fee for a session reflects the professional and financial investment that is required to maintain an ethical and quality practice.
Becoming a licensed therapist requires a significant investment. To become a licensed clinical social worker, you need to obtain a masters degree, complete a minimum of 3000 hours toward licensure after obtaining a master’s degree, and passing a board exam.
The investment doesn’t end after licensure. To maintain and increase professional competence, therapists are required to maintain regular continuing education through courses, training, and certifications to ensure quality of care.
Furthermore, maintaining a business where I am able to uphold ethical standards on my own terms incurs additional costs. This includes things like professional liability insurance, secure communications and documentation systems, and other operational costs.
Finally, the session fee pays for more than just the 50 minutes we spend together. As a therapist, I spend hours outside our individual sessions to research best practice, seek clinical consultation, and engage in case conceptualization, all toward goals of providing the best care I can for my clients. These all create additional costs and labor that are often unaccounted for.
I understand that the cost of therapy can be a barrier for many people. This is why I am committed to being transparent about my fees and discussing payment options that can help you access the care you deserve.