Frequently Asked Questions

At this time, I am only offering online therapy services. Due to state licensing regulations, online therapy sessions can only be conducted with clients who are physically located in Maryland at the time of our session.

Our first session will consist of completing an intake. We will discuss what you’re seeking therapy for and how it has been impacting you and your goals for therapy. We will explore how your values, thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and identities influence your experiences. You will also have the opportunity to ask any questions you have about therapy. This is also a time for you to gauge whether or not you think my style of therapy works for you!

There are many factors that contribute to how long therapy can take. As people, we're dynamic and it takes time to fully understand the presenting problems you're struggling with, how they impact your life, how your experiences have contributed to the problems, and working to undo ingrained negative thoughts and behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. You didn't come to this point overnight. Similarly, it will take time to heal.

For those just starting I recommend meeting weekly or bi-weekly. Depending on the struggles you face, it can take time to see major changes. We will collaboratively work together to find the best fit for you, monitoring progress along the way to make sure we are on track to accomplish your goals. Please feel free to discuss any concerns you may have about progress and timing throughout therapy.

You have the right to end therapy at any time for any reason. I am always open to feedback as the therapy process with me is highly collaborative. I don’t take feedback personally because my priority is you. I encourage clients to communicate their needs and we can work together to find solutions. If you would like to end therapy because you don’t feel that we’re a good fit, I am more than happy to help you find someone who is. If you’re ending therapy because you aren’t sure it’s working, I’d like to talk with you about it to determine what we can do to address your concerns even if that means changing our course of action. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and discuss your thoughts! I am here to support you.

• Most plans require “preauthorization” before you can receive services. This means calling the company and justifying why you are seeking therapy in order to receive reimbursement. The insurance representative, who may or may not be a mental health professional, will decide whether services will be allowed and for how long.

• Confidentiality cannot be assured or guaranteed when an insurance company requires information to approve continued services. Personal information might be added to national medical information data banks regarding treatment.

• Insurance companies require clinicians to give a mental health diagnosis for reimbursement. Psychiatric diagnoses may negatively impact you in the following ways:

  • Denial of insurance when applying for disability or life insurance

  • Company (mis)control of information when claims are processed

  • Loss of confidentiality due to the increased number of persons handling claims

  • Loss of employment and/or repercussions of a diagnosis in situations where you may be required to reveal a mental health disorder diagnosis on your record.  This includes but is not limited to: applying for a job, financial aid, and/or concealed weapons permits.

  • A psychiatric diagnosis can be brought into a court case (i.e.: divorce court, family law, criminal, etc.).

  • Some psychiatric diagnoses are not eligible for reimbursement.

You will receive an enhanced quality of care and other advantages:

• You are in control of your care, including choosing your therapist, length of treatment, etc.

• Increased privacy and confidentiality (except for limits of confidentiality). 

• Not having a mental health disorder diagnosis on your medical record. 

• Ability to work on non-psychiatric issues that are important to you that aren’t billable by insurance, such as learning how to cope with life changes, gaining more effective communication techniques for your relationships, increasing personal insight, and developing healthy new skills.