adult services



  Is therapy right for me?

  Of course, seeking out therapy is an individual choice and there are many reasons why people come to therapy. Possible reasons could be to deal with long-standing psychological issues, or problems with anxiety or depression. Other reasons would be a response to unexpected change(s) in life such as a divorce or work transition. Working with a therapist can help provide insight, support, and new strategies for many of life's challenges. Therapy can help address many types of issues including depression, anxiety, conflict, grief, stress management, body-image issues, and general life transitions.

  Therapy could be right for you if you are interested in getting the most out of your life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and addressing life's changes.

  Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.
  How can therapy (CBT) help me?
  What is therapy like?
  Is medication a substitute for therapy?
  How confidential is therapy?
  Do you accept insurance?
  My first visit.






  Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.

  Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's 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. Therapy can help by taking responsibility of accepting where you are in life and being active in upcoming changes in your life.

  The long-lasting benefits and support of therapy can give you the tools needed in the future to avoid triggers, change damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.

  How can therapy (CBT) help me?

  A number of benefits are available from participating in cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). Therapists can provide psychotherapy and support concerning 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.

  Some of the benefits available from therapy include:

  1. It is collaborative
    • Both the therapist and client are responsible for change
  2. It is problem-focused
    • Problem areas are identified at the outset
  3. A tailored approach is used
    • Flexible treatment plans are designed to fit individual needs
  4. It is practical
    • CBT provides a detailed explanation of the why and how to feel better
    • Helps developing skills for improving your relationships
    • Teaches new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
    • Learn new ways to manage anger, grief, depression
    • Discover ways to improve communication and listening skills
  5. Focused on the “here-and-now”
    • Though our past experiences can sometimes help us understand the present, CBT is more present focused and forward-looking.
  6. Short-term
    • Everyone is different, however, on average people respond in 16 sessions, though some may require fewer or additional sessions.

  What is therapy like?

  Every therapy session is unique and caters to each individual and their specific goals. It is standard for therapists to discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life during therapy sessions. It is common to schedule a series of weekly or bi-weekly sessions, with each session lasting about 45-50 minutes. Therapy these days is typically short-term (16 sessions or less), and often focus on a specific issue. Sometimes therapy can be longer-term when the desire is to address more complex issues or ongoing personal growth.

  There may be times when you are asked to do certain activities outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping a journal or record to track specific behaviors. This “homework” can be an important process of integrating the therapy “process” into life between sessions. For any change to be effective you need to decide to be an active participant between and during sessions.

  Things you can expect from therapy:

  • Compassion, respect and understanding
  • Perspectives to illuminate persistent patterns and negative feelings
  • Real strategies for enacting positive change
  • Effective and proven techniques along with practical guidance


  Is medication a substitute for therapy?

  Many forms of therapy, including CBT and other “empirically” based treatments have much evidence to demonstrates effectiveness. Research has demonstrated that for most psychological problems, a combination of medication and therapy is more effective than either of those medication or therapy alone. If consultation is needed with a medical provider for medication, ways to address that can be discussed.

  How confidential is therapy?

  What we talk about will be kept in strict confidence. Respect for one's dignity and basic worth of the individual will ensure the integrity in our relationship. No information will be released about you without your signed consent. What you discuss with others is not something I control, however, typically I recommended keeping our sessions private.

  I assure you my competence, education, training and experience will ensure your privacy. The only exception may come about if what we discuss indicates that you may harm yourself or someone else. I am then bound by my Duty to Warn which we can discuss. However, thus far, in my 16 years of experience, I have yet to come across such a situation.

  Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work?

  To determine if you have mental health coverage, the first thing you should do is check with your insurance carrier.

  Please contact your insurance provider prior to the initial appointment to determine if your initial appointment is covered and what that means for you. Each insurance plan varies greatly from one employer/person to the next, so even though you may have a popular insurance carrier, your individual plan can have different levels of coverage and/or co-pays.

  Before your first appointment you should know answers to the following questions:

  • What are my mental health benefits?
  • What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
  • How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
  • How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
  • Is approval required from my primary care physician?

  The easiest way to find out about your coverage for the initial appointment is to call your insurance company's behavioral health phone number. This can usually be found on the back of your insurance card labeled "Behavioral health" or "Mental Health" phone number. You can also inquire on-line on your insurance carrier's website which usually includes information about your coverage and a list of "approved" or "in-network" providers/therapists.

  My first visit.

  Currently, I see patients Monday through Friday with only very limited later afternoon (after school) and evening hours available, although this does change. If this works for you and you decide you are ready to schedule an appointment, please feel free to visit the forms page on this web site, print and fill out the ADULT forms. This is not a requirement, but it may help save time during the first appointment, and it will help you become familiar with some of the information that will be covered.

  Whether you complete the forms or not, it is necessary to contact me, preferably by phone, to arrange an initial, in person, meeting.