Where are you located?
I am located inside Auburn Office Space, which is off North Dean Road. It’s a very discrete location that is shared with other professionals (CPAs, Builders, etc). The building offers ample parking and quiet, comfortable waiting areas. The building, restrooms, and my office are all handicap accessible.
How do I know if I need counseling?
If you are unsatisfied with any area of your life, therapy can be beneficial for you. Seeking help is difficult for most people. We can all benefit from therapy. If you don’t think you could benefit from therapy, you probably need therapy.
I’m still just not sure counseling really works. What can you tell me that will address my skepticism about the process?
First of all, it is okay to be skeptical. Many people who come to counseling may have tried counseling before and it wasn’t a good fit for them for some reason. Or they just never imagined that they would ever seek out counseling for themselves. It is important to find the right fit. After all, you’re planning on partnering with this person to improve your life. If there ever was a personal investment that required trust, it is the therapist/client relationship. I use evidence-based techniques, which means the processes I use have been studied and researched, and proven effective. I am committed to an ongoing evaluation and consistently check-in with clients to ensure they are getting their needs met.
If you are still unsure about counseling in general, check out this article for more information.
How confidential are my sessions?
Our sessions are strictly confidential. I carefully adhere to professional standards of ethics and confidentiality. This means that communications between counselor and client are privileged and safe-guarded. Information is not released to anyone (parents, professors, employers, or authorities) without your written permission. In the state of Alabama, the confidential relations and communications between licensed counselors and their clients are placed upon the same basis as those provided by law between attorney and client.
Do I need to do anything before the first session?
Yes, on the business side of our relationship, you need to complete all the paperwork via Simple Practice prior to the beginning of our session. Additionally, all your insurance information and credit card need to be entered into Simple Practice before we can begin.
How do I get the most out of my therapy sessions?
Help me, help you. Be willing to try new things. Be willing to make changes outside of my office. I’ve heard fitness coaches say, “I can’t out-train a bad diet.” The same goes for therapy. We can do some very powerful work in session, but you have to be willing to implement that work into your day-to-day life to get the most out of therapy.
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- Be open – Therapists are trained to ask the right questions, but they are not mind readers. The therapist can do her job more effectively if you answer the questions openly and honestly.
- Be Prepared – Before you get to the session, know how to describe “what’s wrong,” and describe your feelings about your problem. One way to prepare is to write down the reasons you are seeking help.
- Ask Questions – The more you understand the counseling experience or how counseling works, the more comfortable you will be.
- Be Honest About Your Feelings – A lot will be going through your head in this first session. Listen to your own reactions and feelings, and share them with the therapist. You will both learn from these insights.
How do I pay?
Prior to your first session, we will decide if you are paying out-of-pocket or using health insurance. If you are using health insurance, my team will provide you with a courtesy insurance verification, which will give you an estimate of what your insurance company will cover and what your copay will be. Please, know estimates are not guaranteed. Your full financial responsibility will not be known until after we file the first insurance claim. Additionally, copays may change once deductibles are met.
Copays and out-of-pocket amounts will be automatically charged via Simple Practice at the end of each day unless otherwise directed. I also accept cash and checks. Even if you plan to pay with cash or check every session, I still have to have a credit/debit card on file via Simple Practice.
What happens during the first session?
During the first session, we’ll review some of the initial paperwork. We’ll start to explore what brought you to counseling. We will also discuss the goals and hopes you have for our time together.
It is completely normal to feel a bit nervous for the first session, but they tend to go by fast. Remember, this is your time. We can go as slow as you need to go. You don’t have to share all the hard things in the first few sessions. Everyone is different and that’s completely okay.
I think of the first session as a dance. I let you lead, and I will follow your tempo. If you’re unsure of how to start, I will lead and give you plenty of direction.
How often will we meet?
How often we meet will be up to you. After our initial session, I will make a recommendation for the frequency of our visits. Usually, clients come once a week or every other week if the need is not as intense. You make the final decision on what frequency feels right to you and fits into your schedule. If you are interested in EMDR treatment, I recommend weekly appointments in order to prevent loss of progress.
What is your rate? Do you accept insurance? Do you offer a reduced rate?
All sessions are billed for a clinical hour, which is 50 minutes of face-to-face time in the office and then 10 minutes of administrative work that I will go after you leave the office. My out-of-pocket rate is $125 per clinical hour.
I am credentialed with Anthem BCBS, Cigna, and United Health care. If I do not accept your specific insurance plan, you may check with your insurance company and file your sessions with me as an “Out of Network counselor”. Depending on your deductible, this can be a good route to go. I also accept HSA accounts.
At this time, I do not offer a reduced rate or sliding scale.
Are you LBGTQ friendly?
Yes, I am safe Zone trained. I aim to be educated on sexual orientation and gender identity to create a safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals. I am not an expert in the LBGTQ+ community, and I differ to my clients as the expert.
Do you offer learning disability assessments or psychological assessments?
No. If you are an Auburn University student and need an assessment, contact the Auburn University Psychological Services Center at (334)844-4889 located in Cary Hall. Otherwise, try contacting a local psychologist.
Do you provide documentation for Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)?
No, I do not provide documentation for ESAs. Only a forensic psychologist is qualified to determine whether an emotional support animal will help someone with a specific mental health disability. Given the insufficient evidence regarding the benefits of ESAs there are a limited number of providers who may be willing to write these letters. If you have insurance, then please contact them regarding details about referral and coverage.