In the first session (an intake assessment), we'll start exploring the initial concerns leading you to seek professional support, and how you would like your life to look a little different, if you were able to make some small positive changes. I'll ask how your initial concerns impact your day to day functioning, ask questions about potential causes or factors you think may be worsening the issues, and assess for risk and safety concerns. I may offer evidence-based information about your mental health concerns or a mindfulness tool to try outside of the session to enhance more awareness and present-day focus, and how I think I could help, based on what was discussed in the initial session. 


The assessment phase may last a few sessions to allow for a thorough exploration of your mental health concerns and to agree on the goal for treatment. Treatment planning occurs over time and is a collaborative process, as a client's needs and circumstances may change. The treatment plan is based on your specific goals. Overtime and together, we'll identify small steps that you want to try to make some progress on your therapy goals. Goals can be specific or more broad/conceptual. Healing does not equal "fixed." 


What should I expect from therapy?

Therapy sessions are about 55 minutes long. Sessions are individualized-I may ask if there's an issue or concern you want to focus on in that session. I may review the concepts, or a skill or step discussed in the last session and ask for your insights on these things. I may ask about progress you're making on your initial treatment goal or check in on previously reported concerns, or you may choose to start the conversation. Therapy can focus on specific issues or longer term, for chronic conditions or a focus on personal growth. I take a flexible approach to scheduling - you may choose to schedule multiple sessions at once, schedule a recurring date/time (pending mutual availability) or schedule on a session by session basis. We might choose to meet less often as therapy progresses. In between sessions, it is important to spend time reflecting on what we talked about, and to practice integrating these new reflections, insight or strategies into your life. Here are some things to expect from therapy:


Accepted Insurances

Aetna

Ambetter

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC

Carefirst 

Carelon

Cigna

Oxford/Optum 

Oscar/Optum 

Quest

United 

Lyra EAP

Self pay rate: $125

**I use Headway for billing and insurance verification, for most of the insurances listed above.