Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, it can. Counseling gives you a place where you're not judged, you're not told what to do, and you won't be forced to listen to just one single opinion. I want to give you a place to feel safe to share about yourself. Therapy takes some work at times. And, I won't lie, it can get uncomfortable and messy. But, I feel like most people leave counseling feeling like the time and energy they put into therapy are well worth it.

There are a few ways that you may go about figuring that out. One way is the "you'll know when you know" method. It's important to feel like you connect with someone if they're going to be your counselor.

Another option is to do a little research and see if anyone specializes in the problems that are bringing you to therapy. That can be really valuable. Most therapists offer consultations to determine if they will be a good fit for you. I offer a free 15-minute consultation for people interested in therapy.

In the end, it really is your decision, and it's one that you are definitely able to make! If nothing else, you deserve to decide on your therapist. For parents, it's going to be the best bet to let your teen have plenty of input in choosing their therapist.

To make a long story short, after working with guys with behavioral issues, I ended up in a position where I had to work with mostly teen girls with anxiety and trauma. This was while I was working with a big agency as a school-based therapist. I actually tried to get out of it at the time!

But, I'm glad I ended up being sort of "stuck" there. After a few months, it was apparent that I'd stumbled into my "niche." As I began working with these girls, I realized that I really enjoyed it. And, I was pretty damn good at it. I saw girls graduate who weren't expected to make it that far. I saw girls go from being unable to attend a pep rally to having fun at prom with close friends they'd made.

I feel like part of my job as a therapist for teen girls and young women is to be a male figure who understands and models good boundaries and respect for women. And, let's be honest, there are plenty of places where girls don't get the message that they can assert themselves, set their own boundaries, and have control in their relationships. I want to change that. I want to give women a place to learn and practice these skills while feeling safe and respected.

I definitely feel strongly about my work with teen girls and young women. Ultimately, I find it extremely rewarding when I get to see them meet their goals in counseling.

That's one of the most frequently asked questions I get. The answer is the length of time anxiety treatment takes really depends on a few things. What are your goals? What's going on in your life right now? What has happened in the past that's affecting life right now? Lots of things that affect the answer to this question.

Therapy can last anywhere from a couple months to several years. People are often looking for different things from therapy.

I can give you a more solid answer on what counseling can offer you. Attending therapy consistently will help you overcome your anxiety. I usually recommend weekly sessions, because it allows us to have more continuity on what we're working on from session to session. This helps us to keep the momentum going on the things we're working on to help you cope with your anxiety.

You can contact me by calling, texting, or emailing me to schedule your appointment. I'm easy to get in touch with. I am generally available during my office hours, from 10:00 am-6:00 pm, Monday-Friday. However, you're welcome to reach out at any time. If I don't answer, I'll make sure to get back to you within one business day. I'm usually quicker than that, though.

If you have an emergency and I don't immediately answer or it is outside of business hours, please visit your nearest emergency room or call 911. If you have a medical emergency, visit your nearest emergency room. Or call 911 before calling me.

I've always offered free consultations, by phone, online, or in person. Generally, consultations last about 15 minutes. It's important for you to feel like you're making the best choice for yourself in finding a counselor. So, I'm always happy to offer a consultation. During this time, I can answer any questions you have, or you can just check out the office and meet Edge, my canine assistant. The most important part of this consultation is having enough time to see if you feel like we would be a good fit to work together.

That's a common question from parents. Yes, you may absolutely be involved. Parent participation can be one of those key factors in teen counseling. I generally like to keep parents in the loop on the issues we're addressing, progress, attendance. I imagine these are a lot of the things you probably want to know. Also, it's important to be able to hear your side of what is going on, since you may have your own unique views regarding your teen's challenges.

This being said, I keep confidentiality in regard to specific details regarding what was said I counseling as long as they don't put your teen or someone else at risk of harm. When there is specific information that I feel would benefit your teen for you to know, I will discuss this with your teen before talking to you. I will attempt to get their consent and inform you of this information in a way that everyone is comfortable with. If I share lots of details with you without their permission, it can damage the counseling relationship, cause them to stop sharing and being open. In fact, it sometimes ruins counseling for them and these effects may last a lifetime. I do everything I can to keep parents in the loop, and it is usually not an issue.

I will always take steps to keep your child and others safe when there appears to be an imminent risk of harm.

It is important for you to know that once your teen turns 18, I absolutely must have consent from them in order to communicate with you as a parent. I know that your kid will be your kid, no matter how old they are. But, I have to follow HIPAA laws once your teenager turns 18. If you have questions or concerns about this, I'm happy to discuss this further with you and with your teen.

The most common age range of my clients is about 13-25. That being said, I still consider myself to be a young adult, and I'm in my early 30's. I love working with teens and early 20-somethings, but I work with folks who are closer to my age from time to time, as well. I consider a young adult to be someone in their 20s and early 30s.

If you have specific questions about this, feel free to call. If it looks like we won't be a good fit, and I can't help you overcome your challenges, I can put you in touch with some other great therapists who can help.

Absolutely. Generally, the people who contact me after looking at my website tend to be great fits, regardless of gender. If you're reading things that you identify with what you read, chances are we'll be a good fit for therapy.

If you're not sure, just reach out and I'm happy to talk with you and answer any questions you have. Any question you have is a good one!

Everyone deserves to have an accepting place that will affirm and welcome them regardless of gender identity, sexuality, race, religion, or any of the other differences we have.

Different therapists choose to have different focus areas, many times based on things we feel strongly about. Providing LGBTQ+ affirming counseling is one thing that I feel very strongly about. Unfortunately, it's not always comfortable or even safe for LGBTQ+ individuals to seek out some mental health services. I feel like that should be different, and I'm here to be a safe, secure place.

I can generally get someone in within 1-2 weeks, depending on how flexible they're able to be in scheduling. I don't think you should have to wait months for an appointment. So, if I can't get you in within 2-3 weeks at the most, I consider myself full at that point. If that's the case, I'll get you in touch with someone who will likely be a good fit for you.

The hours that I see clients are generally between 10-4 on weekdays. Most of my teen clients in the area choose to miss a lunch period, study hall, or a single class per week to come to therapy. Some also choose a different class each week to miss, which amounts to missing that class about once every 2 months. Typically, we can figure out a way for it to work, and I'm happy to work with you to make a plan for when you'll attend terapy.

Yep, I can do that! Most schools regard attending therapy appointments the same way that they do doctor appointments. I've never had a school turn down a note from me.

I can't prescribe meds. MDs and Nurse Practitioners are able to prescribe medication. I typically recommend seeing a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner to discuss medication. A psychiatrist is an MD who specializes in psychiatric medication, and a psychiatric nurse practioner is a nurse practioner who has the same specialization.

There are so many different titles of people working in mental health, and I know it can get so confusing. So, don't feel bad if you weren't sure on this one!

The first session lasts about 90 minutes and is $200.

Ongoing sessions are usually 50 minutes are $160.

Edge is here most of the time, but not every single day. Some people have allergies, or don't like dogs for different reasons. If you don't want him around for whatever reason, we can definitely figure out a time for you to come in when Edge isn't here.