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 predicting the effectiveness of therapy are finding a counselor who makes you feel safe and comfortable, and tapping into 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 you will enjoy working with me. 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 with my problems?
I do have training and education that qualify me to use research-validated treatment approaches that help people heal. More importantly, I bring my own experiences, my authentic self, my history of struggling and overcoming difficulties, my personality, and my groundedness, courage, clarity, and compassion. 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. 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 you’re busy. But I believe to my core that we make time for what is most important. Investing in yourself — carving out time and space to really understand yourself and how to 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 sincerely believe that counseling is one of the most productive and impactful uses of your time. It is an investment in you. 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. It is my ultimate goal to ensure that the value and benefit you get working with me 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 accept Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance. 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 a Licensed Professional Counselor in Michigan and Ohio. I have done additional training as a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and am currently training in EMDR. 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, to ask questions, 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 have the skills to help you, we can schedule a full session.
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.
