Do I have trauma and do I need a counselor?

Many of us understand trauma as experiencing a very scary and horrific event.  Often we relate it to veterans coming back from war. Being in a serious car accident.  A victim of a crime or abuse. And this is true. EMDR counseling can heal traumatic experiences and is now applied to several areas of mental health. What many of us don’t realize is that trauma can include any situation that may have left you feeling unsafe, scared, anxious, embarrassed, or ashamed. A situation that keeps you up at night.  Have thoughts that you just can’t seem to shake off no matter how hard you try. Something that resulted from a relationship, a work situation, or a performance gone wrong. It can also be an underlying issue in some forms of depression, panic attacks, relationship issues, unhealthy habits, and more. If you have questions to determine if counseling would be right for you, please call for a free consult.

How can EMDR help?

EMDR uses specific questions to identify experiences that are contributing to present-day issues.  Questions to identify how it's impacting beliefs about yourself, emotions, and physical reactions. Finally, process these experiences to completion.  Completion meaning the memory is no longer being activated in the present. You will always remember the experience but without the overwhelming reactions. This is true whether you have experienced a single negative event or a series of events throughout your life, often known as Complex Trauma or Complex PTSD. EMDR is applied to different areas of focus which would be too long to list here. If you are not sure how or if it may help you, please contact me to determine if it's the right fit for you and your goals for therapy.

What can I expect in the first session?

Your first therapy session, maybe first two, is usually about getting to know you, your concerns, and what you hope to achieve in therapy. A combination of getting to know each other, help you feel comfortable and safe, while also understanding what has brought you here at this time to then identify how to move forward.  Once we understand your needs and goals, we make a plan of how to move forward. From there, we will assess the pace and adjust as we go along.  

Can I start EMDR immediately?

Yes and no.  The first phase of EMDR is understanding your current struggles, history, and goals for therapy.  The second phase of EMDR is identifying and developing coping tools, if needed, that will help you get the most out of EMDR.  It's in the third phase, and for some within the third or fourth session, that the deeper work of EMDR begins.  Technically, we are starting with EMDR in your first session but the technical interventions begin later.  It's so important that we make a plan to make sure we're heading in the right direction for the goals you're seeking in therapy.

Do you use other therapies or types of counseling other than EMDR?

Yes. I apply Somatic Therapy, Ego State Therapy, and Mindfulness Based Meditation techniques which are essential in healing trauma and easily integrate with EMDR. Other coping tools can include relaxation techniques, communication skills, assertiveness skills, and/or how to set healthy boundaries in relationships. You are unique as well as your experiences and therefore, your healing journey should be too. Finally, if faith based counseling is something of importance to you, I am happy to integrate this as well.

Who do you work with?

I work with adults in individual therapy.  I do not work with couples.  There are specific types of therapy proven to be effective for couples and therefore, refer clients to a couples therapist trained in this area of expertise.  I sometimes have clients who are in couples therapy concurrently working in individual therapy with me focusing on areas that may be impacting his or her relationship.

How often would we meet?

Sessions are once a week for 45 to 60 minutes. I find weekly sessions are important for two reasons. The first is you will progress more quickly in therapy when we can check in weekly. We are able to find out what is working, not working, and adjust things as needed. The second, is specific for EDMR therapy. Processing can continue in-between sessions and therefore, it is important to see how you’re managing each week. Occasionally, sessions may go over 60” but I do my best to let clients know ahead of time. I understand you have family, work, and other obligations. I want to respect that but also make sure you're the best you when you leave session.

How long can I expect to be in therapy?

Again, this will vary for each person. On average, clients have about 20-30 sessions. Others go longer.

Do you accept insurance?

I am an out-of-network provider and can provide a Superbill for you to send into your insurance for reimbursement. How much you are reimbursed depends on your plan. I also have a great resource, Reimbursify, that can help take care of this process for you in just a few steps.  It's best to contact your insurance to determine if you're eligible to go out of your network and if there are conditions.  Example, do you have to meet a DSM 5 mental health diagnosis?

What is your fee?

My fee is $165 for a 45-60 minute session.   Fee is the same for your initial evaluation appointment.  EMDR sessions at times may extend over 60 minutes, but I do not pro-rate fee unless it begins to go into 90 minutes.

Do you offer a free consultation?

Yes, I provide a 20-minute free consultation so that we can talk in more detail about what you would like to focus on in therapy, where you would like to be at the end of therapy and determine if the type of therapy I practice is right for you and your needs.

Good Faith Estimate

You have the right to receive a "Good Faith Estimate" explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don't have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.