Why Enter Therapy?
Sometimes life and its’ circumstances can become overwhelming and we need more than a best friend to turn to for assistance. Some things people come to therapy for are grief, depression, anxiety, anger, difficulty in relationships, dissatisfaction with the way their life is going, stress over life, work, or school, and a great deal of other issues. What they share is a desire to feel better, to gain a sense of hope when they are hurting, and new tools to use in life. Each person is different and what matters most is what is keeping you feeling stuck.

Does Therapy Work?
Therapy works for many people but there is no guarantee. It will be as important for you to be an active participant as it will be for me, or any therapist, to connect and work with you. There is research, however, that indicates that therapy is often helpful and that when people are treated with medication the treatment is even more effective when taken along with treatment. This doesn’t mean everyone needs medication, but when it is needed most have the best success from a combination of the two. For milder issues, like life changes, grief, or stress, medication is often not necessary.

How long does therapy take?
This is a difficult question to answer in general, as it is different for every person. In the first or second session you and I will set some goals to help you individually. Then the therapy is tailored to further meet those goals. If you have a difficulty that is more current, then often only a few sessions are needed. If you have a significant depression or a history of abuse then the therapy can take longer, even months or years. But you are always in charge, and we will evaluate the progress you’ve made and set new goals at least annually, if not sooner.

What is important to success in therapy?
The most important factor, according to both research and my experience, is a good relationship with your therapist. If you and I don’t develop rapport then it will be very difficult for any progress to be made. Second, I bring ideas and tools and techniques, but these are only helpful when you use the tools outside of sessions as well. After all, the therapy won’t go on for the rest of your life, but your life and satisfaction with it, are the goal we’re trying to reach together. Third, if you are open and let me know both what you want to try and what you would rather not then we’ll make an even better team. But teamwork is essential and you are the most important member of the team. Finally, the honesty and respect we have for each other, including being at the appointment on time and regularly, having ideas and/or results to share, and openness about how our relationship is progressing is essential to your success.

How to choose a therapist?
The most important piece is our relationship, thus choosing a therapist with whom you relate and whom you trust is important. This begins from the minute your call is returned to the time you choose to end therapy. Also, ask the therapist if they have training and/or experience in working with the issue you are bringing to her/him. And, where possible, ask others who live around you, close friends, doctors, clergy, or others for referrals.

Should I use my insurance to get therapy or is there a difference in treatment if I don’t?
Treatment that is provided in this office is the same, regardless of insurance. There can be a limited number of sessions, however, if you have an insurance company that limits this and/or manages the use of your therapy. In addition, insurance generally pays only for short-term therapy and thus your goals may be different than someone who is choosing or must pay for therapy himself or herself and wants to work on longer-term issues. Also, when you use your insurance confidentiality is limited, as you will be required to sign a waiver providing access of your basic records to your insurance carrier.

What should I expect in the first appointment?
During the first appointment the goal is to discuss what you would like to work on, ways in which I feel I can or cannot help you, and to make sure that working together seems to be a good fit for each of us. I’ll ask you to bring some forms that I will email to you ahead of time and we’ll review them as well as beginning to develop a treatment form. It is also important for you to bring any questions you have about my training, experience, or credentials to this meeting if we have not already discussed this on the phone. You will likely be nervous or anxious, but you are not alone in this! Taking a new step, meeting a new person, and committing to therapy is intimidating to most people but you should feel more relaxed and reassured by the end of this session.

Are sessions confidential?
Except in special circumstances what you share with me will be kept confidential. I do not share information about my clients in any way with any outside person or organization. I also work to keep my records very safe with an alarm, locked cabinets, and password protected computer. These are all requirements of the HIPPA laws. There are statutes meant to protect you and/or others from suicide, homicide, and child or elder abuse that require that I release information to the police or CPS, but this will be discussed during our first session and before I contact anyone. In addition, if a judge subpoena’s my records then my records must be released to the judge. And, if you sign a special release, separate from other paperwork that gives me permission to discuss your care with a doctor, insurance company, or other entity then what you provide permission for will be released.

Are there things other than therapy I can do to help my situation?
There are often many things you can do outside of therapy such as reading a specific book, journaling, talking with friends, and/or completing other homework assignments. We’ll discuss these as your therapy progresses and remember, you are always the one who has the right to choose whether or not you proceed with ideas I may have.

Do you see children, adolescents, adults or couples?
At this time I am seeing children middle-school through high school and adults. I provide individual, family, and group therapy but provide no couples or marriage therapy.

Do you provide therapy on-line, through email, or on the phone?
My practice is an office-based practice meaning that I only treat individuals through office visits. I do, however, provide some coaching on the phone for strictly business or professional coaching purposes.

Are you the right therapist for me? What do you specialize in?
I would invite you to call and discuss this with me in regard to your special circumstances. In general, I specialize in depression, bipolar, mild traumatic brain injury recovery, change of life issues, work and stress management, learning disabilities, trauma, low self-esteem, abuse issues, self-injury, spiritual development, and adult attachment.

What is the cost and do you take insurance?
My standard fee is $100-125 per hour and a limited number of people are seen on a sliding scale basis, based on income, to as low as $85 per hour.

What is the difference between a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a licensed professional counselor, and a coach?
A psychiatrist primarily works with medications to bring a balance back in terms of brain chemistry. A psychologist holds a specialized license in the state of Arizona and does both counseling and evaluations. He or she may work with your psychiatrist.

A licensed Professional counselor in Arizona primarily offers counseling. He or she may work with your psychiatrist.
A coach is an individual who is not required to have any specialized training in counseling or psychology and who generally works with short-term life goal setting and attainment. Many of these individuals also hold a certification in coaching but are not required to do so.