Counseling FAQs
Please note: I currently have limited availability for new clients. Please call or email me to inquire about setting up a free phone consultation. (Updated March 2025)
“What can I expect from the first session?”
In our initial session, my focus will be on learning as much as I can about you and your reasons for seeking counseling. I will ask questions while also making plenty of space for you to share what feels most important to you. We will talk about your goals and discuss some possible ways that we may work together to help move you closer to them. We will also take some time to review my policies, your responsibilities as a client, and to address any questions or concerns you may have. The initial session- and perhaps a few sessions beyond that- will also be used to confirm that we are a good fit for one another.
“What do subsequent sessions look like?”
Moving forward, counseling will be shaped around both what you bring to the sessions- those things that you feel would be most meaningful for us to discuss together- and the goals you set when you started counseling.
Depending on your needs, some sessions may feel conversational while others will feel more structured. I aim to help you build insight into the thoughts, feelings, behaviors, relationships, and experiences that shape your life, and to support you in identifying what’s working and what may need to change. We’ll explore the internal and external resources you have available to you; often, there are more than you may realize!
Counseling is rarely a “quick fix,” and may not always feel easy or comfortable. I believe that some emotional discomfort can often mean really important growth is happening, but you will also never be forced to talk about or do anything you’re not ready to. Ultimately, we will collaborate to create a space that feels safe enough to talk about the hard stuff in life, while also shining plenty of light on what helps you feel positive and hopeful.
In addition to traditional “talk therapy,” some clients may find that expressive arts therapy can also be helpful in their counseling work.
“How long will it take to feel better?”
I cannot make any guarantees about the timing or extent of therapeutic outcomes. However, I find that clients who are open-minded, willing to do a little “homework” between sessions by applying insights and strategies we discuss, and who attend appointments consistently tend to experience the most benefit from counseling.
“Do you accept my insurance? What is your fee?”
Please carefully review my Fees and Policies page for information about insurance, fees, policies, and more. Whether working with me or any other clinician, if you plan on using your health insurance I strongly encourage you to contact your provider to clarify details of coverage before moving forward with services.
“How do I get started?”
Please take your time exploring my website to learn about me, my services, and my policies and fees. When you’re ready, contact me to schedule a free 20-minute phone consultation, during which I’ll ask a bit about you and your mental health goals, and share some information about myself and my practice. This call is not a counseling session, but rather a chance for us to make sure we’re a good fit for each other.
I want you to get what you need and deserve from counseling, so if we are not the right fit or my schedule is full I will make an effort to provide referral information. Please note that I do not provide Emotional Support Animal assessments/letters.
Photos by Wes Hicks, Pamela Heckel, Abigail Ducote, Ben Bracken, Scott Longerbeam