What should I expect?

The first step is to contact me on this website, leave me a voicemail, or email me. I will respond within 24 hours and we will schedule a free 15-minute consultation to determine what you are looking for and whether or not I would meet your expectations. If it appears we would be a good fit in working together toward your goals, we will schedule an initial appointment. Before your initial appointment, I will send you electronic paperwork to fill out with a consent form and a place to input your demographic information. I also encourage you to contact your insurance provider to verify your benefits and eligibility for therapy. The initial appointment is an opportunity for you to provide more information about yourself, so it involves a number of assessment questions about your history and how you are currently feeling. I also like to set some initial goals in the first session so that we are on the same page with respect to what you hope to get out of our work together. At the end of our first session, I will give you my impressions and discuss what to expect going forward. You can expect to have things to think about, mindfulness techniques to try, or behaviors to implement in between our sessions.  

How long/often will therapy happen?

It depends! Everyone is on a different journey when it comes to therapy. Some folks get what they are looking for after a short stint of counseling; others have weekly counseling for years. There is no right or wrong way to do this as long as we are both collaborating and making progress toward your objectives. I encourage clients to attend weekly sessions, especially in the beginning of treatment, to establish rapport and build consistency.

How will I know if this is a good fit?

Therapy is a collaborative relationship: We get what we put into this work. Clients who feel like their therapist is a good fit would describe their sessions as productive and insightful. I check in with clients to make sure our sessions are focused on their goals and moving them forward. The right therapeutic relationship will provide you with a level of comfort that allows you to be open and honest with your thoughts and feelings.

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy allows us to see how our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact. When we look at ourselves through this lens, we can gain insight and make beneficial changes. For instance, if you are feeling stuck, using a CBT framework allows me to help you unpack what behaviors and thoughts are contributing to those feelings. We then may try to challenge those thoughts or make adjustments to those behaviors to help you feel less stuck and more empowered. CBT is present- and solution-focused work, but I also integrate psychodynamic and attachment theory into my work to help us better understand any past dynamics that are contributing to present challenges.