A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn.

Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you have faced, there is nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting the challenges you have been facing in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to effectively manage triggers, redirect damaging patterns, and work through your challenges.

Each individual's therapy will be tailored to their own issues and goals for therapy. In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, to talk about your personal history relevant to your issue, and to report progress (or any new insights gained) from the previous therapy session. Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short term, for a specific issue, or longer term, to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development. Either way, it is most common to schedule regular sessions with your therapist (usually weekly). The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn in session back into your life. Therefore, beyond the work you do in your sessions, your therapist may suggest some things you can do on your own to support your process - such as reading a pertinent book, journaling on specific topics, noting particular behaviors, or taking action on your goals.

I currently do not accept insurance. However, I am happy to provide you with a superbill for you to submit to your insurance company upon request. If you have out of network benefits as a part of your insurance plan, a superbill is a receipt that can often allow for a portion of your bill to be reimbursed by your insurance.

Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and psychotherapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but the therapist's office. Every therapist should provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone. This is called “informed consent”. Sometimes, however, you may want your therapist to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (your physician, naturopath, attorney), but by law your therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission. However, state law and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality EXCEPT in the following situations: If the therapist suspects past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders, the therapist must report this to the appropriate authorities, such as child protective services and law enforcement. Similarly, if the therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming themselves or has threatened to harm another person, the therapist is required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities.

Teletherapy is therapy conducted by video or phone. The level of service you receive is on par with face to face office visits, but you can have your sessions from the comfort of your home or office. There is no longer a need to leave work early, spend time driving to your therapist's office, finding parking, and getting back to work or home after your session. Should you have any questions regarding the process of participating in tele therapy, I am happy to guide you every step of the way.