A little Q & A...
- How much do sessions cost?
- Each ~50 minute session is $140. Depending on your payment method and whether or not you are using insurance, you are expected to pay the session fee at the time of service.
- Do you accept insurance?
- I am an "in-network" provider for most Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Choice, and United Health Care insurance plans. If you are looking to use your insurance towards sessions, I strongly encourage you to ensure I am considered in-network before you schedule with me. If you are using your insurance, you are expected to pay your co-pay at the time of service & any resulting balance that your insurance plan does not cover after the insurance claim has been processed.
- If you have another insurance provider, but want to use your coverage, you are then seeing me in what would be considered "out-of-network" basis. If you are hoping to submit to your insurance company to obtain reimbursement for services, I can provide you with a detailed summary of services which will assist you in that process.
- What is your approach to therapy?
- I am trained in integrative systemic therapy, which means that I think about you in the context of your relationships, families, kinships, friendships, society, culture, living environment, history etc. I am mindful and solution-focused in my approach, with an emphasis on the here, now, and today. I do believe that where we come from is an exceptionally important learning tool, and I pull upon a narrative approach to shed light on the stories we tell ourselves about our lives - past, present, and future. I seek to help you gain insight and identify patterns and grow from them. While meeting you where you are at, I always seek to find the strengths in struggles, the contentment in the uncomfortable, and the serenity in the chaos.
- What is your education background and what do the letters after your name mean?
- I obtained my B.A. in Psychology from The University of San Francisco in 2009. I attended the The Graduate School at Northwestern University and obtained my Master of Science (MS) in Marriage and Family Therapy at The Family Institute and the Center for Applied Psychological and Family Studies. After obtaining my Masters degree in 2012, I worked towards obtaining my License in Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT) which I officially received in 2016. I decided to obtain my Certificate of Alcohol and Drug Counseling (CADC) after seeing how much I enjoyed working with that population of people.
- How frequently do we meet for sessions?
- It is typical to meet weekly for sessions as we get to establish a relationship; however, it is not mandatory that we do so. I also often meet bi-weekly with clients, and even monthly for maintenance when and where appropriate.
- What is your availability?
- Presently, I am in the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays from 10-5. I schedule my own appointments and I often have evolving availability. I always encourage you to reach out if you are interested in trying to schedule something. If I cannot meet with you due to my availability being full or not aligning with yours, I would be happy to provide you with a referral to another clinician.
- What would you say to someone who has never been in counseling before, or who has had a poor experience?
- Give it a try. I promise that I have no agenda for how our sessions have to go, for how you have to be, for who you have to be... I want to meet who you are and help you in whatever way I can. It can feel a bit awkward to come and talk to a stranger, and I do everything I can to make the space and our time together feel safe and comfortable for you. If you went to counseling before and had a poor experience, please give yourself another chance. Finding a therapist that you feel comfortable with is not always a one and done process. If you need help, please seek it.