• "I really appreciate the handouts you sent home with me. The more I look at my relationships, the more I see the patterns – the good ones and the bad ones. And, it's just like you said . . . the more I recognize them, the more they seem to be changing on their own!"
    —Jason, 42

Answers to common questions.

Q. What should I do to prepare for our first appointment?
A. To make the best use of our time together, please complete the paperwork for new clients [link to forms page] ahead of time, and put together a list of any questions you have, so that we make sure to address them during our session. Then, just take a big breath and relax.

Q. What happens at our first appointment?
A. Our first appointment is an opportunity for you and me to meet each other, size each other up and gather information. I usually schedule a longer meeting (1.5 hours) to make sure we have ample time. My goal will be to get to know you and to learn about your story. I will be asking you a lot of questions (why are you seeking counseling now? what are you hoping to change?) as well as answering whatever questions you have. Your job will be to tell your story as openly as you can and to decide if I am a good fit for you. We’ll finish by discussing whether we want to work together, and if so, how, when and where.

Q. What if you are not a good fit for me?
A. Fit is really important and not every counselor-client combination is right. If we’re not a good fit, I won’t take it personally, and I’ll do everything I can to help you find a counselor who’s a better match for you.

Q. What’s special about your practice?
A. I’m not your stereotypical therapist. I am warm, relatable, and approachable (I make mistakes, and I have a sense of humor, too). We will take time to understand where you have been, what has and hasn’t worked for you in the past, and how those things affect you now. I believe that your history is important only to the extent that it impacts your choices today. Ultimately, my clinical practice is focused on your possibilities – possibilities for healing, possibilities for growth, possibilities for change, possibilities for learning, possibilities for insight and possibilities for understanding.

Q. What happens at future appointments?
A. After the first appointment, we will both have a better understanding of what paths to go down, so we will begin to have more focused conversations specifically addressing those areas of most importance to you. I encourage clients to learn all that they can about the areas that we are working on. Often I will recommend books, films, or articles to support you in your learning.

Q. How often will I need to see you?
A. The answer is different for every client so we’ll decide together what makes sense for you. We may meet every week, every other week, or once a month. And, we may meet for a few months, a full year, or longer, depending upon your needs. Some clients even schedule “tune ups” once a year just to stay focused on their progress.

Q. What are your fees?
A. Payment by cash or check is due at the beginning of each session. Fees are $100/hour before 5 pm; $125/hour after 5 pm. If I come to you, you will be billed for my time on a portal-to-portal basis (i.e. from the time I leave my door to the time I leave your door). I encourage you to have your checks written out before our session begins so that we can get the most out of our time together.

Q. Do you accept insurance?
A. I do not bill insurance companies directly or take responsibility for collecting from your insurance carrier. However, I will provide you with receipts that you may submit to your insurance company. Many insurance companies will cover 50% to 75% of my fee. You may contact your insurance company for specific details of your coverage.

Q. How do I get started?
A. The best way to get started is to call me today! I look forward to working with you!