services

individual therapy

I offer therapy sessions to individuals with a variety of presenting concerns. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Difficulty related to past trauma (e.g., PTSD or other trauma-related concerns)

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Relationship issues, including relationships with family members

  • Self-esteem and self-confidence

  • Grief and bereavement

  • Guilt and shame

  • Life transitions

In individual therapy, I most often utilize cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, and interpersonal/relational approaches. Here is a bit of information about each:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is based on the theory that our interpretations, beliefs, and thoughts inform our emotions, which ultimately shape behaviors. In therapy, clients are encouraged to change thinking patterns in order to reduce symptoms like anxiety and depression.

Psychodynamic therapy involves an exploration into the way that early life experiences influence current emotional and relational patterns. I believe that insight into these formative experiences can enhance self-awareness and foster a sense of agency over current behaviors.

Interpersonal/relational therapy assumes that clients benefit from examining emotional and relational patterns as they play out in the therapy room. Exploring emotions as they occur in the moment fosters acceptance and compassion for oneself. Therapy serves as a corrective emotional experience and a safe place for receiving feedback and practicing new behaviors.

couples therapy

I love working with couples to re-establish a sense of connectedness, improve communication, and foster feelings of mutual support and appreciation. I am trained in Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFT) and Integrative Behavioral Couples Therapy (IBCT). In both, my role as therapist is to guide you and your partner toward open, vulnerable communication patterns (rather than hostile, defensive, or blaming) that facilitate mutual empathy and closeness. Here is a bit about each approach:

Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy “views disagreements between couples as a result of insecure attachments. In therapy, clients experience, accept, and transform negative emotions and patterns into positive emotions and bond-enhancing interactions” (from thecouplescenter.org).

Integrative Behavioral Couples Therapy “focuses on the emotional context between partners and strives to achieve greater acceptance and intimacy between partners as well as make deliberate changes in target problems” (from PsychCentral).

course of treatment

I typically start each course of therapy with a free, 30-minute consultation appointment. This is an opportunity to discuss presenting concerns and treatment goals, and for us both to assess whether it feels like a good fit to work together. The consultation appointment also allows me to ensure that I am equipped to address your problems and help you work toward your treatment goals.

After the initial consultation appointment, I typically begin meeting with clients for weekly, 50-minute therapy sessions. I find that a weekly cadence helps build rapport, establish momentum, and facilitate early treatment gains. Some people benefit from meeting weekly for the entirety of treatment. For others — if appropriate to the nature of the presenting problems and goals — it might make sense to eventually decrease the frequency of therapy (most often to every other week).

The length of treatment varies widely depending on the concerns that clients are facing. If the problem is recent, relatively specific, or limited in its impact, progress often occurs relatively quickly and treatment might conclude within a matter of months. If problems are long-standing or complex, then it is likely that treatment will span a year or more. Of course, as with every aspect of therapy, the length of treatment is a collaborative decision.

Fees

My fee is $175 for a 50-55 minute individual therapy session and $185 for a 50-55 minute couples therapy session. Couples sessions are sometimes longer, and the cost is prorated based on the length of the session at the $185/hr rate.

I sometimes have availability for sliding scale clients, who can see me for a reduced rate. These spots are reserved for people who would not otherwise be able to attend therapy due to financial limitations. If you would like to discuss the possibility of using sliding scale, we can do so during our consultation appointment.

I am not in-network for any insurance companies. However, companies will sometimes reimburse individuals for a percentage of the cost of treatment with an out-of-network provider. If you would like to pursue out-of-network reimbursement, I can provide you with a monthly invoice that includes your payment history (a “superbill”). Questions about reimbursement are best addressed to your insurance provider as policies differ widely between companies.