FAQ

Not at all! I work with people with many different concerns or presentations — depression, anxiety, stress, relationship challenges, grief, dissatisfaction with life, substance use, attachment issues, life transitions, suicidal thoughts, self harm, etc.

As a result of my work in inpatient psychiatric settings, I also have provided treatment and psychotherapy to individuals with a full range of mental health diagnoses, including but not limited to the following: major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, personality disorders, PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and dissociative disorders. Be assured that when you work with me, you will be much more than just a “diagnosis.” I resonate with the quote attributed to Sir William Osler from Johns Hopkins Hospital: “It is much more important to know what sort of patient has a disease than what sort of disease a patient has.” Our individual circumstances, preferences, social structure, beliefs about the self, support system, and economic resources play a huge role in how our challenges present in our minds, our bodies, and our lives. All of those factors are important and relevant. You are a person with a story that deserves to be heard — and together, we can explore how that story continues to impact your life.

• My primary specialty (by experience and training) is trauma — from everyday traumas to life threatening circumstances and events.

• I often work with other medical providers, first responders, and therapists who are managing chronic stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue.

• Post COVID conditions (including long COVID and long vax) and their sequelae

• Autoimmune conditions and the interplay between mind/body

• SPMI (severe and persistent mental illness)

I am currently accepting new psychotherapy clients in Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. At this time most sessions are conducted online/remotely using a HIPAA compliant therapy platform. You do not need to download an app, and will receive a link prior to your session that will allow you to access our session. If you are in Pennsylvania and you desire an in person therapy session, please advise me of your wishes so that we can discuss options.

I am an in network provider for the following insurance panels. Coverage is active in both Pennsylvania and Rhode Island unless otherwise noted.

Aetna

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts

Capital Blue Cross Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania only)

Carelon Behavioral Health

Cigna

Independence Blue Cross (Pennsylvania only)

Point 32 Healthcare (Rhode Island only)

Quest Behavioral Health

If I am not an in network provider for your insurance, please reach out so that we can discuss options. Note that many insurance companies provide out of network benefits, which means that they may reimburse a significant amount for your sessions with me. Upon request, after each session I will provide a document called a superbill which you can submit to your insurance carrier for reimbursement.

I am also evaluating insurance panels on an ongoing basis, and may be able to become an in network provider for your insurance. Just ask! I can find out more info about specifics, and we can go from there.

If you are unsure if you have out of network benefits, contact your insurance company (the number is generally on the back of your insurance card) and ask the following questions:

• Do I have mental health benefits? Is prior authorization required from my primary care provider?

• Do I have out of network coverage for outpatient psychotherapy (CPT code 90837)?

• How many psychotherapy sessions per calendar year does my insurance cover?

• What is the coverage amount that will be reimbursed per session?

• What is my out of network deductible? Has any of it been met yet?

• What is my coinsurance? (This will be the percentage or amount that your insurance company will pay after you meet your out of network deductible, and will likely increase from the base amount of reimbursement.)

My rate for 60 minute sessions is $225. For those utilizing insurance, you may simply have a copay for each session.

I do offer a limited number of 60 minute slots through Open Path Collective, a nonprofit which helps individuals who are uninsured or underinsured to locate affordable therapy. Their rates are $40 - $70 for 60 minutes of individual therapy, or $40 - $80 for couples or family therapy.

~~If you are interested in one of these limited slots, check out my listing on the Open Path site to determine if I have any current openings or availability.

~~If you want to claim an available slot, contact Open Path or look at their FAQ to determine if you qualify for the reduced fee sessions. Note that these criteria are set by them, not by me.

~~There is a one time fee of $65 that you would pay to Open Path Collective to join as a member. Note that this is a LIFETIME membership — you can access services for as long as you meet their criteria, and will never have to pay them any other fees in your lifetime. You can stop therapy and resume later, change therapists, etc with no further costs. That $65 membership fee allows them to cover the costs of their nonprofit in order to provide their services to the community.

Payment of fees is expected at the time of each appointment, and may be paid via credit card, debit card, checking account (e-check), HSA (Health Savings Account), FSA (Flexible Savings Account), or HRA (Health Reimbursement Arrangement) funds. With HSA/FSA/HRA accounts, superbills will be provided which you can submit for reimbursement. I do request a credit card to keep on file for every client regardless of their manner of payment.

Therapy sessions last 60 minutes. I choose to do this rather than the standard 50 minute session because that just feels too short! 90 minute appointments are available upon request — please inquire as to rate and availability if this is of interest to you.

While there is no set frequency for appointments, consistency will provide more powerful results. Most clients find that weekly or biweekly appointments are most beneficial. While I certainly recognize that finances can be a limiting factor, understand that psychotherapy is an investment in your health, your wellbeing, your relationships, your future — an investment in YOU. You deserve the investment, and you are worth it!

There is no way to predict how many sessions will be needed to address your concerns. The type of therapy that I practice (somatic psychotherapy) is not focused on seeking rapid solutions. Instead, the goal is to allow you to create meaningful change through regulation of the nervous system, mindful attention to your automatic or habitual responses, and creating a deeper sense of self awareness, safety, and self compassion. Often clients have suffered for years — or decades — before starting therapy. My suggestion is that you consider making a commitment to yourself to come to a minimum of six sessions.

Connect with me via the contact form on the contact page, or via the contact information provided on that page. Please provide your name, phone number, and the best times that you can be reached. Emails and messages will be returned within 24hrs Monday through Friday. Messages received over the weekend will be returned on the following Monday. After receiving your information, I will reach out so that we can schedule a free 15 min discovery call to discuss your reasons for seeking therapy and get to know each other. If we both agree that moving forward with an appointment is appropriate, your first session will be scheduled at the end of the discovery call.

In the first few sessions, often there is more talking than would occur in later sessions as we are getting to know each other. While we will focus on what is alive for you (in your life and in your body) at the time of each appointment, we will also be touching on your hopes and goals for therapy, establishing safety in our connection and work together, and allowing you to become familiar with somatic psychotherapy and the way I work. We will also be touching base on your life and your experiences that led to us sharing time together. Know that you do not need to relive past traumas or disclose anything that you don’t wish to discuss — while you are welcome to bring details of your journey and your story to our work, it is not necessary for healing and meaningful change to occur.

It is not uncommon for each session to have a different flow or format than the last, as an appointment is impacted by what you are feeling in the moment, what issues or concerns have arisen, and what we are working on together. I understand that this may feel scary or daunting, as familiarity and routine tend to feel safe or more comfortable. It is, however, vital to take into account the current status of your nervous system and what patterns of resistance or behavior are showing up. This mindful attention to your present experience will allow us to address the challenges that are active and present in your system at that time, and is part of what will reset the habitual manner in which your body and mind interact. You will often find that although the details of a particular situation that you bring to that session may be new, the body and nervous system response will point to the patterns that have been established.

I see people of all gender identities for individual therapy. I am not currently offering couples sessions or family therapy.

I have experience with psychotherapy with individuals throughout the lifespan. At this time I am accepting appointments with individuals who are at least 6 yrs of age.

If you need or want to cancel a scheduled appointment, I require 24 hours notice. In cases where I am not given 24 hours notice, you may be responsible for the entire cost of the session. If I am able to find someone to fill your scheduled session time, you will not be charged for the late cancellation. Please note that I try to be flexible and understanding about unexpected situations or emergencies — life happens! Just reach out and let me know what is going on.

Please note that although my licensure and education allow me to prescribe medications, this is my psychotherapy practice and does not include medication management.