Frequently Asked Questions
What is therapy?
I use the terms counseling and therapy, interchangeably. They are essentially the same thing. Therapy can mean a lot of different things for people. Some people start therapy while in a crisis, completely overwhelmed and needing lots of guidance. Others may use counseling to work though a specific problem, whether it be work stress, getting support for the loss of a loved one, or learning to cope after a recent or past traumatic experience. Some seek therapy for self improvement and exploration or to improve their relationships. I view therapy as helping my clients become the best version of themselves. Therapy doesn’t fix everything in your life overnight. It s a process that helps you make gradual shifts in your thinking, become better at managing your emotions, and learn to cope better with the craziness of life.
Some clients like more free flowing sessions where there is no agenda and we address whatever comes up. Others like more structure in therapy; creating concrete goals for each session. The most growth comes from applying what you learn in counseling to your life. Talking can be helpful, but you won’t get as much out of the process if you only work on yourself in the therapy room. I assign homework (if you want it) to help you incorporate our sessions into your life. Whether it be practicing healthier coping skills, journaling, trying something new, or expressing your feelings through art, dance, or music. I promise we will find something that is helpful for you.
You get to chose what we talk about. I may offer suggestions, but will respect if there is a topic you do not want to discuss. I am always open to feedback, whether you aren’t getting what you need out of sessions or something I said wasn’t helpful, please let me know!
How many sessions will I need?
While some people find relief after just a few sessions, sustained change typically comes with a longer commitment to therapy. It will really depend on what you are coming in for, the severity of your symptoms, and your commitment to doing “the work” outside of our sessions. I recommend you come in weekly or bi-weekly, at first, so we can get into our flow. As you start making progress, many people like to gradually scale back on frequency of sessions. Some people like coming in once a month for a “mental health tune up” to get support and guidance for whatever they are currently going through. If you are paying with insurance or an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), your number of sessions may be limited. I also understand most people are on a budget. I will take this into consideration when making treatment recommendations.
I also offer intensive sessions for people who find it difficult to fit regular therapy into their busy schedules, who want to dive deeper than an hour session allows, or who really want to get an intensive jump start on their healing.
Do you take insurance?
Yes! I take many insurance plans and am in the process of getting credentialed with more, including Colorado Medicaid and Medicare. I am currently paneled with:
Aetna
Anthem
Anthem EAP
BlueCross & Blue Shield
Carelon Behavioral Health
Cigna and Evernorth
Quest Behavioral Health
Select Health
You can click on this LINK to get an estimate on how much your session(s) will cost if you are using insurance. Please note that is your responsibility to make sure your insurance plan covers mental health services.
What are the intensive sessions?
Finding time to fit weekly therapy into your busy life can be difficult! I am offering 3-5 hour intensive sessions for people who really want to dive deep, get a jump start on healing, or who find it more convenient to schedule longer and infrequent sessions. I highly recommend you have at least one session with me prior to scheduling this service, so I can better plan the intensive to help you get the most out of the experience. This is a great option for EMDR therapy or people in early recovery for substance abuse. Scheduling an intensive during a weekend may be considered, if that is what works best for your schedule. Please reach out for price ranges. Unfortunately, this is a service that is likely not covered by most insurance plans.
Do you offer sliding scale services?
Unfortunately, I am not able to take any more sliding scale clients at this time. Check to see if I take your insurance or employer’s EAP plan.
Are the sessions confidential?
Yes! For the most part, everything we discuss is confidential, with a few exceptions regarding safety of yourself and others. In most cases, we can discuss thoughts of suicide between just the two of us. Depending on the severity of the situation, we may need to bring in other people to help ensure your safety or the safety of others. I will be transparent with you if that happens. All therapists are also mandated reporters for suspected child abuse or neglect and elder abuse or neglect.
If one of your loved ones wants to be involved in your treatment, you will need to provide written consent.
Will I be diagnosed with anything?
If you are using insurance, I am required to submit your service under a mental health or substance use disorder. If you are are paying out of pocket, a formal diagnosis is not required. Regardless of how you are paying, I am happy to discuss any potential diagnosis with you. Some people find having a diagnosis helpful and others don’t like having a label.
