〉What should I expect from therapy?

Therapy is a collaborative process. Your values, ideas, and motivation are vital for your healing process. We will work together on the goals you identify. I will offer guidance on how to achieve those goals. Your consistent commitment to the therapy process is essential to your success.

Some specific skills therapy can provide are:

  • Increasing tolerance for difficult emotions and learning skills to learn to regulate these emotions effectively.
  • Coping mechanisms to allow you to work through situations which typically cause you anxiety, fear, or avoidance.
  • Stress-management techniques to apply to deal with stress within your everyday life, such as with your job and family.
  • Skills and techniques to help you better navigate relationships, or to work through relationship troubles.
  • Problem solving skills for you to enact when you encounter issues which may typically have caused you to shy away or back down, such as social situations or public speaking.
  • Improving self-love, self-confidence, and body image.
  • Improving communication, listening, and the ability to speak up for yourself.
  • Understanding your own skills, strengths, and positive attributes and learning to quiet your inner negative critique.
  • Finding a resolution to the issues that originally led you to therapy, such as having panic attacks, or being unable to sleep.

〉What you can expect from your therapist:

  • You can expect to be treated with compassion, empathy, respect, and understanding.
  • You can expect to be presented with someone who is available to listen to you and listen to your interpretation of what you are currently experiencing.
  • You can expect to receive knowledgeable and scientifically backed techniques and information to assist you in overcoming your mental health related struggles.
  • You can expect to arrive in a safe, supportive, and confidential space.
  • You can expect to receive real strategies and techniques you can use to enact positive changes on your life.

〉What is EMDR?

EMDR is an evidence based practice proven to help people recover from trauma and other distressing life events, such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, and panic disorders. (www.emdria.org)

〉What is needed for me to start?

After you make the initial contact, we will have a conversation to determine if we are a good fit to work together. You will want to consider my experience and training in EMDR and other trauma informed therapy approaches as well as how comfortable you feel with me. If we are a good fit, we will schedule your first appointment. I will send you the intake documentation through my HIPAA compliant client portal and then we will get started!

〉What is an out of network provider?

Payment for each session is due at the time of service, and clients receive a receipt via email in the form of a Superbill. Clients may submit Superbills to their insurance provider to initiate a claim for reimbursement as outlined in your insurance plan. I encourage you to ask your health insurance provider about their out of network benefits and the process for filing an out of network claim.

〉Do you offer video counseling appointments?

Video counseling appointments are available. These appointments are offered through my secure and confidential platform, Simple Practice. Video sessions are a helpful option, especially when there are factors that limit a person’s ability to come to in person sessions. In the event you want to use the video option, I would encourage you to make sure that you have privacy and minimize potential for distractions on your end to maximize the efficacy of therapy on this platform. I am of the opinion that in person sessions are most effective, but understand and am thankful that we have the video option. We can discuss the best option for you.

〉Directions to the office

Office location: 10375b Democracy Lane • Fairfax • Virginia • 22030 – Go North on University Drive in old town Fairfax. My office is located one light north of North Street in Fairfax. Turn right at the light onto Democracy Lane. Democracy Lane curves slightly to the left; pass the back of the Safeway and CVS. Make the first right once you enter the curve. The office is on the 2nd floor of building 10375, first door on the right at the top of the stairs.

〉Other questions?

Please feel free to email me with any questions. I strive to respond to each request within 48 hours or by the next business day. I understand that taking that first step to seek counseling can be difficult. I respect you for that and want to support you in that step. I will respond to you in that time frame even if I am not able to accept new clients. In that instance, I will provide you with recommendations for other therapists.