Question 1

How can therapy help me?

Accepted Answer

A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks.

Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:
Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
Developing skills for improving your relationships
Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
Improving communications and listening skills
Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

Question 2

Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.

Accepted Answer

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.

Question 3

Why do people go to therapy and how do I know if it is right for me?

Accepted Answer

People have many different motivations for coming to psychotherapy. Some may be going through a major life transition (unemployment, divorce, new job, etc.), or are not handling stressful circumstances well. Some people need assistance managing a range of other issues such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, addictions, relationship problems, spiritual conflicts and creative blocks. Therapy can help provide some much needed encouragement and help with skills to get them through these periods. In short, people seeking psychotherapy are ready to meet the challenges in their lives and ready to make changes in their lives. If that already sounds relieving, you're in the right place.

Question 4

What is therapy like?

Accepted Answer

Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual. In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, and report progress (or any new insights gained) from the previous therapy session. Depending on what you're working on, therapy can help in a variety of ways. Overall, the goal is to get you feeling more like yourself, feeling more in control of your life and your emotions, and feeling happier and more present.

It is important to understand that you will get more results from therapy if you actively participate in the process. The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn in session back into your life. Therefore, beyond the work you do in therapy sessions, your therapist may suggest some things you can do outside of therapy to support your process - such as reading a pertinent book, journaling on specific topics, noting particular behaviors or taking action on your goals. People seeking psychotherapy are ready to make positive changes in their lives, are open to new perspectives and take responsibility for their lives.

Question 5

What about medication vs. psychotherapy?

Accepted Answer

It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness. Working with your medical doctor you can determine what's best for you, and in some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action.

Question 6

Do you take insurance, and how does that work?

Accepted Answer

I do accept most major insurance plans. To see if I am in-network with your plan, please click here.

To determine if you have mental health coverage through your insurance carrier, the first thing you should do is call them. Check your coverage carefully and make sure you understand their answers. Some helpful questions you can ask them:
What are my mental health benefits?
What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
Is approval required from my primary care physician?

Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and psychotherapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but the therapist's office. Every therapist should provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone. This is called “Informed Consent”. Sometimes, however, you may want your therapist to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (your Physician, Naturopath, Attorney), but by law your therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.

However, state law and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations:
* Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders requires therapists to report to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources.
* If the therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threatened to harm another person.

Insurances accepted:
Aetna
Cigna
United Healthcare, including Oxford, Oscar, Optum, and Optum EAP 
ComPsych
Quest Behavioral Health

Self-Pay Rates:
$150/session

For OON (Out-Of-Network) clients: Some insurance plans offer OON benefits. If this is the case, I use a company called Mentaya to submit an insurance claim on your behalf to help get you reimbursed. You can anticipate about 50-80% of your money back. Please let me know if you are interested in using this service and I will send you the link to enroll. There is a 5% fee/claim you file.

"NO SURPRISES" BILLING POLICY: 
Notice to self-pay clients and prospective clients:
Under the law, health care providers need to give clients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, or how to dispute a bill, see your Estimate, or visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.

Question 7

How does virtual therapy work and what are the benefits?

Accepted Answer

Benefits of Virtual Therapy: 
Convenience/Flexibility
Teletherapy offers convenience and flexibility while still maintaining the confidentiality of clients. These services are available to clients in the comfort and privacy of their own home, office or remote location. You do not have to take into consideration the drive to therapy (goodbye stressful traffic!) and can join the call in seconds from your private location. Virtual therapy is offered using HIPAA-compliant technology that is easily accessible to the client.

Access
Online therapy allows greater access to therapy services, as clients in rural communities can access care. It also does not limit the clients you see to your specific area. I am grateful to provide care to residents in TX by providing virtual therapy services.

Effectiveness of Teletherapy 
Evidence has shown that teletherapy is as effective as in-person therapy.

Are you Covered?
Insurance companies cover virtual therapy as they do in-person therapy.

Clients who could benefit from virtual therapy: 
Almost anyone! More specifically, 
Those who are comfortable with technology
Those who have reliable internet 
Those who have have relatively stable mental health conditions
Those with busy schedules, mobility issues, illnesses, unreliable transportation, or reside in geographically isolated areas
Those who don’t prefer in-person contact with their therapist 
Those who want to see a specialist not located in their area 
Those with mental health conditions that may prevent them from attending in-person therapy

Clients who are not appropriate candidates for virtual therapy: 
Those experiencing severe mental illness, acute crises, or at risk for self-harm 
Those who do not have a private, safe space to talk

Please note that a client’s appropriateness for virtual therapy is at the provider’s discretion. The therapist may recommend the client participate in in-person therapy for closer monitoring and support. Please note, you must be located in the state your provider is licensed in (Texas) at the time of your session to participate.

frequently asked questions