Frequently Asked Questions
Counseling hasn’t worked for me in the past. Why should I try again?
Research shows that the two most important factors that predict the effectiveness of therapy are choosing a counselor who makes you feel safe and comfortable, and digging out the root causes of your difficulties rather than simply focusing on surface symptoms. If my website resonates with you, that’s a good sign that we will be a good fit to work together.
I use an active approach to dig out the “why” underneath your struggles, teach you new skills, role-play with you, be your cheerleader, assign homework, and more. I am not the kind of therapist who sits there nodding, saying “Hmmm…” Instead, I partner with you to intentionally create the changes you want in your life.
Can you really help me solve my problems?
My training, education, and five years of private-practice experience working with hundreds of clients have qualified me to use research-validated treatment approaches that are proven to help people heal. Just as importantly, though, I bring my own experiences, my authentic self, my history of struggling and overcoming difficulties, my personality, and my groundedness, courage, clarity, and compassion into the therapy room.
I have not walked in your shoes, but my own journey has invested me with an aversion to judgment, deep empathy, and the certainty that each person is infinitely valuable and unique — as well as the conviction that healing is possible if you want it. My passion is to work hard to see the world through your eyes and help you reach the goals that are important to you.
What if I don’t have time for therapy?
I know we are all busier than we would like. But I believe to my core that we all make time for what is most important to us.
Investing in yourself — carving out time and space to really understand yourself and change the things about your life that get in the way of being integrated and joyful — is one of the most critical choices you can make. I believe that counseling is one of the most productive and impactful uses of your time. It is an investment in you, your future — and the future of your family. You’re worth it. For a vision of what healing could look like for you, click here.
Isn’t therapy expensive?
Counseling is an investment of money as well as time, it’s true. My ultimate goal is to ensure that the value and benefit you receive from our work together is so great that your investment feels more than worth it. You are free to choose a customized schedule of therapy to balance your specific goals and financial needs.
You can use your HSA to pay for services, or, if your insurance company covers out-of-network benefits, you can submit a superbill to them for reimbursement.
I am a private-pay practitioner. See my Payment page for more information.
What are your qualifications?
I hold a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Western Michigan University and am licensed as an LPC in Michigan (Licensed Professional Counselor) and an LPCC in Ohio (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor). I am an EMDRIA-approved EMDR-trained clinician, a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), and a National Certified Counselor (NCC).
In addition to my formal training, I bring a wealth of life experience and perspective to our work together. I earned a BA in Economics from the University of Michigan in my early 20s, was a stay-at-home mom for an extended period, struggled to find a career path that was right for me, went through a painful divorce, and battled and overcame many of the same issues my clients face.
Will you be a good fit for me as a therapist?
That question is one only you can answer. But I have found, after working with hundreds of individuals and couples, that people who feel alignment or resonance with my message do find me a good fit. I offer a no-cost intro call so you can decide for yourself risk-free.
What happens during an intro call?
A free intro call is a virtual meeting of up to 30 minutes that allows you to get a sense of what I am like to work with, get your questions answered, and decide if you feel comfortable with me. It allows me to get a snapshot of your issues and assess whether I would be a good fit to help you.
We will discuss fees and payment, scheduling, my approach, and anything else that is important to you. At the end of the call, if we both feel comfortable and I believe that I am a good fit to help you, we will move forward with getting you on the schedule.
Please note that I am licensed in Michigan and Ohio and, therefore, am only able to work with clients who live in those states.
Won’t it be a long wait to schedule an appointment, or a hassle to reschedule when I need to?
I place a high priority on offering unparalleled responsiveness and attentive personal service. This is one of the critical priorities in my practice, and something that distinguishes me from most other mental health practitioners: premium service. For me, this means dedicated care, careful attention to your needs, and respectful consideration of your time — providing an enhanced, elevated experience for both prospective and current clients.
Many counselors take days or weeks to respond to inquiries. I am available personally through text, phone call, or email and I promise to respond within 24 hours — although you’ll almost always hear back from me within an hour.
I also offer a convenient Client Portal that allows you to schedule or cancel appointments, view your payment information, and download billing documents any time.
I have no office staff — you will always be communicating directly with me. I am committed to providing a high-quality experience to make managing your therapy uncomplicated, personalized, time-saving, and convenient.
