FAQs

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I have never done therapy before. How do I get started?

This is a courageous first step. Deciding to seek help from a professional can seem overwhelming and maybe even unsafe. Which is why I am here to guide and support you through the entire process. During every phase of treatment, from our initial contact to one day in the future graduating from therapy, my goal is to make this process easy, safe, and even fun at times! One of the most challenging parts, and often the biggest barrier, is navigating the insurance and financial aspects. I am not an insurance expert, but I will do my best to provide you with all the information you need so that we get on to the good stuff - therapy! Start by filling out the contact form and we will go from there.

Can you help with my anxiety or depression?

Absolutely. As the MBS Trinity proclaims, if it happens in your brain, body, or bed, I can help! Anxiety and depression have many faces - they come with both psychological/emotional and physical symptoms. There is a high chance you are or have had sleep issues as a result. The whole-person and integrative approach is, in my professional opinion and judgment, the best method of treatment. I am not just here to treat symptoms, we will use an integrative approach that will help identify and tackle triggers and stuck-points. Collaboratively we will discuss a treatment plan that may include referrals to other mind-body experts so that we have all our bases covered.

How long will I be in therapy?

As long as you need to be. Everyone's journey is different. Therapy should be a dynamic and fluid process. We will determine the appropriate frequency as we begin to work together. We will set goals and work towards them, and continue to monitor your progress along the way. Having a timeline in mind is often helpful so that you (and I) remain focused and moving in the right direction, pivoting as we need to. Once you feel that you have acquired the skills you need to work independently on your goals then we will discuss termination. 

Treatment for insomnia is, however, a time-limited, brief therapy. I typically follow a 7-session model. However, if we need to spend additional time on your sleep or other goals, we will.

I am already taking medication to help my mood. Isn’t that enough?

Unfortunately, it often isn't. Research shows that taking mood medication alongside psychotherapy is the most effective approach. Additionally, mood symptoms that are mild to moderate don't always necessitate medication and can usually be improved with psychotherapy alone. We will work together with your psychiatrist (or prescribing physician) to come up with a balanced and effective approach. 

If you are seeing me for sleep treatment and wish to reduce or discontinue using sleep medication, I will collaborate with your physician and develop a medication taper plan alongside Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I). Individuals who taper medication while doing CBT-I have a much higher success rate, and lower relapse rate, then when trying to do it alone.

Why is an integrative approach to mental health better than a traditional model?

SO many reasons! But I will try to keep it brief... Our body is a beautiful, intricate, masterpiece. We cannot have the body without the mind and vice versa. Therefore, it would be remiss if we did not consider both when working with physical illness or mental/emotional well-being. Unfortunately, western medicine operates predominately from a symptom-focused and biomedical approach and the healthcare system at large struggles with interdisciplinary care. I believe that "it takes a village" when it comes to healthcare. Thus, I will collaborate with us and refer you to a mind-body expert who can assist in formulating a Whole-Person Conceptualization of your needs and goals.

What will therapy consist of?

Therapy itself is a very personalized and intimate process and can take on many forms. Using evidence-based methods (methods that are backed by research and proven to be effective), I will develop a therapy blueprint that will help you achieve your goals. Therapy can and often will look like a transformative conversation, small homework assignments, worksheets, and/or lots of self-care strategies. If you are in CBT-I, you will have a workbook and handouts that will help you reach your sleep goals.

How can I get the most out of therapy?

I am so glad you asked! I am ecstatic that you are as dedicated to this process as much as I am and ready to do the hard work. Because I cannot do it for you. Therapy will require your time, patience, perseverance, and belief. Keeping a therapy journal can help. Write down things that happen during the week, your thoughts, feelings, and reactions to them, and bring them to therapy so we can dissect and discover.