Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you might want to know before reaching out. And if your question isn’t here, you can always ask.
Getting Started
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Yes! I offer a free 15-minute consultation so we can get a sense of each other before committing to anything. You can share a bit about what's bringing you to therapy, ask questions about how I work, and see if this feels like a good fit. No pressure, no obligation–just a conversation.
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The first session (called an intake) is about 60 minutes. We'll talk about what's bringing you to therapy, your background, and what you're hoping to get out of our work together. I'll share a bit about how I work, and we'll start building the foundation for our relationship. You don't need to have everything figured out or know exactly what to say. We start where you are.
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There's no threshold you have to meet. If something feels heavy, stuck, or hard to carry alone–that's enough. Some signs that therapy might help:
You're spending a lot of mental energy on something that isn't resolving
You've changed parts of your life to cope with how you're feeling
It's affecting your work, relationships, or day-to-day functioning
You feel like no one around you fully understands what you're going through
Your quality of life has dipped and you're not sure how to shift it
You don't have to be in crisis to deserve support.
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Friends are wonderful–but therapy offers something different. A therapist brings professional training, evidence-based tools, and an outside perspective without the entanglement of your personal relationships. I'm not here to give advice the way a friend might. I'm here to help you understand your patterns, process what's underneath, and build skills that stick.
Also: confidentiality. Therapy is a confidential space. I’ll explain what that means–and its few limits–so you can feel clear and safe from the start.
About My Approach
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I blend EMDR, parts work, narrative therapy, and emotion-focused approaches–all with attention to your nervous system and your body. I'm warm, direct, and human. I don't do the blank-slate therapist thing.
We'll find what works for you together. There's no one-size-fits-all here.
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It means I understand that trauma affects the whole person–your body, your nervous system, your relationships, your sense of safety. It shapes how you see the world and how you cope.
Being trauma-informed means I pay attention to pacing, consent, and safety in how we work together. I don't push you faster than your system is ready to go. I don't assume I know what you need. And I never treat your survival strategies as "problems to fix."
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Traditional talk therapy often focuses on insight–understanding why you feel the way you do. Trauma therapy goes deeper into the nervous system and body, because trauma gets stored in places that talking alone can't always reach.
In trauma therapy, we work with what's activated in your system–not just what you can articulate. That might include EMDR, somatic awareness, parts work, or other approaches designed to help your brain and body process what's been stuck.
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Not at all. We hold space for hard things with care, but we also make room for laughter, relief, pride, and celebration. Healing doesn't only happen through heaviness–it also happens through connection, safety, and sometimes a well-timed joke.
I'm not a blank slate in the room. I'm a real person, and I bring warmth and humor into our work when it fits.
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It means I'm committed to creating a space where you can show up as your full self–without needing to shrink, translate, or explain your identity.
I welcome clients of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, religions, abilities, and backgrounds. I hold cultural humility and stay in a posture of learning–because doing this work well means continuing to grow. You won't have to educate me on the basics or wonder if you belong here.
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I work with adults navigating complex trauma, anxiety, identity-based stress, and life transitions. Many of my clients are first-generation, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, or feel caught between cultures or worlds. They're often high-functioning people who look "fine" on the outside but feel exhausted, stuck, or disconnected underneath.
If you're looking for therapy that's warm, grounded, culturally humble, and doesn't rush you–we might be a good fit.
Specific Services
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Yes. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is one of the primary approaches I use in therapy. It can support people in working through trauma, anxiety, attachment wounds, distressing life experiences, and patterns that feel difficult to shift through talk therapy alone.
EMDR helps the brain and body process memories, emotions, sensations, and beliefs that may feel “stuck,” allowing for more flexibility, integration, and relief over time.
I approach EMDR gently and collaboratively. We move at a pace that prioritizes safety, consent, and nervous system regulation rather than rushing into processing. If you’d like to learn more, you can explore my EMDR Trauma Therapy page →
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Yes. I've seen deep, meaningful trauma work happen in virtual sessions. What matters most is the relationship, the pacing, and the approach–not whether we're in the same room.
That said, online therapy does require a private space where you feel comfortable and a stable internet connection. If you're unsure whether virtual sessions would work for you, we can talk through it in a consultation.
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Absolutely. Anxiety doesn't exist in a vacuum. For many people, it's tied to experiences of discrimination, family expectations, code-switching, or navigating spaces where they don't feel fully seen.
I work with the whole picture–not just the symptoms, but the context. That includes the cultural, racial, and identity-related stressors that shape your experience.
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Yes, for current clients when clinically appropriate. These letters are written in a collaborative process, with care and respect, honoring your process and your pace.
There's no additional administrative fee for current clients.
A note: A letter is clinical documentation based on assessment and informed consent. It's not a guarantee of medical approval, as that decision rests with providers and organizations.
Practical Details
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My current rates are:
Initial Diagnostic Evaluation: $200
60-minute session: $200
45-minute session: $175
30-minute session: $150
Payment is due at the time of service. I accept all major credit cards and HSA/FSA accounts.
I have limited sliding scale spots available based on financial need. If cost is a barrier, please ask–I'm happy to discuss options.
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I accept United Healthcare and Geisinger insurance plans.
If I'm not in-network with your insurance, you may still have out-of-network benefits that reimburse some or all of my fees. I can provide a superbill for you to submit to your insurance company.
HSA (Health Savings Account) funds can also be used. I'm happy to provide weekly invoices for reimbursement.
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A superbill is an itemized receipt I provide after your session. It includes everything your insurance needs to process a claim: date of service, type of session, diagnosis codes, my credentials, and the fee. You submit it to your insurance company to request reimbursement for out-of-network care.
The amount you get back depends on your specific plan.
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Under the No Surprises Act, you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate explaining how much your care will cost. This applies to anyone who is uninsured or not using insurance for services.
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I ask for at least 48 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule.
Late cancellations (less than 48 hours) and no-shows are charged a $100 fee, as that time is reserved specifically for you. Insurance doesn't cover missed appointments, so this fee would be out of pocket.
If you're running late, I'll wait up to 15 minutes. After that, it's considered a missed session.
Life happens–I get it. Just communicate with me and we'll figure it out.
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It depends on what you're working through and what your goals are. Some people come for a specific issue and feel ready to wrap up in a few months. Others are navigating deeper, longer-term work.
We'll check in regularly to see how things are going and make sure therapy is still serving you. You're never locked in.
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I don't offer emergency or crisis services. If you're in crisis, please reach out to:
911 (emergency)
988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
The Trevor Project (LGBTQIA+ crisis support): 1-866-488-7386
If you're a current client experiencing a difficult moment (but not a life-threatening emergency), you can reach out between sessions and I'll respond as soon as I'm able.
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I don't currently offer:
In-person sessions (virtual only, within Pennsylvania)
Child, family, or couples therapy
Medication management
Crisis intervention services
Court or custody evaluations
Emotional support animal letters
Telehealth outside of Pennsylvania
If you need one of these services, I'm happy to help point you toward other resources.
Still have questions?
I'm happy to answer anything that's on your mind. Reach out or schedule a free consultation and we can talk through it.