Frequently Asked Questions

Got questions? I’ve got answers!

+ How much does therapy cost and how long are the sessions?

+ Do you accept insurance?

  • Dictate how many sessions a client is allowed in a given period of time.
  • Usually allow no more than one 45-minute session per week.
  • Require the client be given a mental health diagnosis and treatment must be deemed “medically necessary”.
  • Often request confidential client information and there’s no guarantee how this medical information could be used in the future.
  • Have low reimbursement rates and frequently deny claims (especially couples therapy).
  • Alert, engaged, and happy to see you each session.
  • Able to remember the details of our sessions and track our work together since I only accept a small caseload.
  • Invested in your growth because I’ve taken the time to do the same for myself.
  • Able to maintain your privacy without worrying about insurance companies prying.
  • Free to work with you as long and as often as you need.

+ How quickly can I get in to see you?

+ Do I need to be in a relationship for this work to be helpful?

+ What if I change but my partner doesn't - won't we still have the same problems?

  1. Revert back to the old way of doing things or
  2. Maintain the changes and see what happens
  • Let go of the fear that you being open and honest will collapse your relationship
  • Overcome the desire to please others and smooth things over at the expense of your truth
  • Bring up hard topics and not shove them underground for fear of what your partner will say/do
  • Identify what you would like to have happen rather than focusing on what your partner should do about it
  • Listen to your partner’s truths without taking them personally
  • Anticipate strong reactions from your partner and know that you can handle it

+ Can we do individual AND couples therapy with you?

+ I tried therapy in the past and it didn't help. How are you different?

  1. I’m a Gottman Certified Therapist. My approach to supporting individuals within the context of their relationships is more organized than most, using science-based techniques developed from over 40 years of research.

  2. I’m a Certified Neurodiverse Couples Therapist. This means I can pick up on what other therapists can’t. Many of my clients come to me feeling hopeless and discouraged after trying therapy before (sometimes several times) without it helping. I help you uncover patterns and recurrent themes that offer clarity about why you’re struggling with particular issues. You’ll be able to see your relationship clearly, and things you’ve been struggling with for years will start to fall into place and finally make sense. And this is where real change can start to occur.

  3. I’m not your typical therapist. As I see it, you’re paying me to be more than a passive bystander. You are coming to me because you need someone by your side who will roll up her sleeves and support the hard work that is needed from you to improve your life situation. If you’re looking for a therapist who: will actively engage with you, be curious about you and have a vested intersted in geniuely understanding you, will encourage you to look in the mirror and take responsibility for your life, and will give honest feeback, then I’m the right fit for you. While I can’t tell you how to run your life, I can give you science-based tools for strengthening yourself and your relationship. And I don’t pull any punches. With me, you not only get empathy, but honesty as well. This means instead of going around in the same circles over and over again, you’ll be able to see real progress.

+ Will my sessions be in-person or online?

  • You schedule a session with me.
  • A day before your session, you’ll receive an email reminder with the link to our meeting.
  • When it’s time for our session, just click on that link to join the call (it’s best if you download the Zoom app).
  • If you’re early, you might see a notification saying you’ve been placed in the “waiting room” – that’s ok! Hang tight.
  • When it’s time for our session to start I’ll bring you into my “virtual office” – you don’t have to do anything.

+ How do I know which type of therapy is right for me?

  1. Many people I’ve talked with think that weekend intensives are only for relationships that are “really in trouble.” They’re not! This style of intensive therapy isn’t reserved for couples on the brink of divorce – it can be extremely effective in keeping you away from the brink of separation in the first place.

  2. A weekend intensive session is pretty much the equivalent of six months of therapy. Really! These sessions aren’t easy by any means (the word ‘intense’ is in there for a reason), but the payoff is huge. Even if it takes a couple of weeks to be able to schedule a weekend intensive, many couples find it suits their needs better than more traditional weekly sessions.

+ Do you work with members of the LGBTQIA+ community?

+ Do you ONLY offer therapy in Florida?

+ What’s the big deal about being a Certified Gottman Therapist? I know lots of counselors who have "Gottman training".

  • Completing Gottman Training Levels 1-3, including several workshops with Drs. John and Julie Gottman in person (and yes, I’m totally name-dropping here).
  • Completing the additional Gottman training in affairs, trauma, and addiction recovery.
  • Having a minimum of 1000 hours of post-graduate therapy experience.
  • Completing a minimum of 100 hours of Gottman therapy, under the supervision of an experienced Gottman therapist.
  • Submitting video footage of my actual therapy sessions to be evaluated by a Master Gottman Trainer who then determined my proficiency in using the Gottman Method.
  • Handle conflict constructively.
  • Improve intimacy, respect, and affection.
  • Foster ongoing curiosity about your partner.

+ What does it mean to be an AANE Certified Neurodiverse Couples Therapist?

  • An introductory course and a certification course
  • Over 10 hours of training online
  • Hands-on learning from the experiences of many neurodiverse couples
  • Group consultation facilitated by AANE’s Director of The Neurodiverse Couples Institute
  • Case presentations and discussions on best practices when working with Neurodiverse couples

+ What does LMFT stand for?

  • A Specialist in Education (Ed.S.)
  • A Master’s in Education (M.Ed.) in Marriage and Family Therapy

+ Where did you go to undergrad?

+ I am a current client, how can I access my client portal and the online scheduler?

+ What do you do in your free time?