How can we help you?
Commonly Asked Questions
Seeking out therapy is an individual choice. There are many reasons why people come to therapy. Sometimes it is to deal with long-standing psychological issues or problems with anxiety or depression. Other times it is in response to unexpected changes in one’s life such as a divorce or work transition. Many seek the advice of counsel as they pursue their own personal exploration and growth. Working with a therapist can help provide insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life challenges. Therapy can help address many types of issues including depression, anxiety, conflict, grief, stress management, and general life transitions. Therapy is right for anyone who is interested in getting the most out of their life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and working towards change in their lives.
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. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you’re at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face.
A number of benefits are available from participating in psychotherapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, 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:
- Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
- Developing skills for improving your relationships
- Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
- Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
- Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
- Improving communications and listening skills
- Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
- Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
- Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
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 sessions, where each session lasts around fifty minutes. Therapy can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. There may be times when you are asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to track certain behaviors. It is important to process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life between sessions. For therapy to be most effective you must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions. People seeking psychotherapy are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change, and create greater awareness in their lives. Here are some things you can expect out of therapy:
- Compassion, respect, and understanding
- Perspectives to illuminate persistent patterns and negative feelings
- Perspectives to illuminate persistent patterns and negative feelings
- Effective and proven techniques along with practical guidance
Telehealth is also known as online counseling, virtual therapy, teletherapy, or distance counseling. It is therapy that occurs between a licensed counselor and a client online rather than at a physical location. Research indicates that online therapy is just as effective as face-to-face counseling for treating many issues.
Online Therapy provides a confidential option in which therapy sessions are conducted through a HIPAA compliant communication platform. Online Counseling provides the added convenience of sparing you the commute across town, it heightens your level of privacy and allows you to meet with a skilled professional even if you live in a remote location. Online Counseling is the perfect solution for someone who has a busy life and needs flexibility and easy access to therapy.
We offer online therapy to all residents of the states of North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. Please note that online counseling is not suited for individuals that are:
- actively experiencing a mental health crisis or frequently experience crises
- actively suicidal or self-harming or those that struggle with frequent suicidal behaviors/severe thoughts or self-harming behaviors
- recently hospitalization(s) related to mental illness/health/psychiatric care
- actively struggling with severe substance use issues
- severe and persistent mental illness, typically requiring more comprehensive care
- active or former thoughts or behaviors of harming others
In some cases, a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. By working with your medical doctor, you can determine what’s best for you. It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness.
My standard fee for a 50-minute individual session is $100. My standard fee for a 90-minute couples’ session is $120. Please let me know if you have questions or concerns about the cost of counseling.
I currently accept Aetna, Cigna, and BCBS insurance. For all other insurance, I am always happy to provide a receipt and/or a summary of our work together. Some insurance may reimburse you at out-of-network rates.
Yes, I offer a free 15-minute consultation.
Send me an email at [email protected], and we will schedule a time to meet.
In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and a psychotherapist. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client.
However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:
- Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
- If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist is required to notify the police.
- If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.