Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I pay out of pocket if I have insurance?
Choosing not to use insurance means choosing the most confidential care possible. When billing insurance, the insurance company has the right to request records and diagnostic information as part of their audits. Paying out of pocket means that your information never leaves our space. Insurance companies also often limit their network which can make finding a provider with the credentials and training to meet your needs difficult.
Do you offer in-person or telehealth visits?
All sessions are currently being held virtually for clients who reside in North Carolina. If you are located in the Cleveland area and are interested in meeting in person, my office is located in Lakewood. I can also meet virtually with any clients located elsewhere within the state of Ohio.
Do we really need therapy?
If it seems like there's a pattern you and your partner just can't break, therapy might be right for you. If things are going pretty well, but you're wanting to deepen your connection, therapy can offer the check-in you need. If you've felt disconnected and distant for years and it's become hard to have meaningful conversation, therapy is a place to try something new and take risks to reconnect in a safe and supportive environment.
How long will this take?
As always, it depends. Sometimes we come to therapy for a quick tune-up and sometimes the whole car has just broken down and we start by collecting all the pieces before we can put them back together. The process can be slower if there is a history of trauma, attachment concerns, or other contextual factors at play. We will work together to create a treatment plan and set goals for our time together that will guide us along the journey. There's no perfect path in therapy, but I'd be honored to work alongside you as we take steps toward healing and connection.
What happens in the first session?
If this is your first therapy experience, I've been in your shoes! I understand the feeling of wanting to know how this whole thing is going to work and being unsure of what to expect. In the first session we will spend time getting to know each other as I seek to understand what has brought you to counseling, what history might help inform our work together, and what goals we want to work toward. I hope that you walk away feeling heard and get a glimpse of how therapy can help.
What's your therapeutic style?
I work to create a soft landing space for clients to express and process whatever emotions or experiences they might be having. I am warm and supportive while holding onto the structure of the evidence-based practices I utilize. I strongly believe in Attachment Theory, which says that we learn how to engage with ourselves and the world through the lens of our core attachment figures (parents, friends, family, etc.). When we've had difficulty in these relationships, we fall into self-protective patterns that can get in the way of us giving and receiving care. It's my goal to foster a safe and secure attachment with every client so that each individual feels heard and understood. In therapy-speak, I come from a person-centered lens and use Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) with couples and predominantly Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) with individuals.