Do you accept insurance?

I am Out of Network with all health plans. That means, I do not directly accept insurance payments. However, many insurance plans have Out of Network benefits. You can call your insurance and ask, “What are my Out of Network benefits for outpatient mental health?” Your insurance provider will let you know if you have a deductible and/or how much they will reimburse you. If you want to use your Out of Network benefits, I’ll provide you with a monthly superbill (receipt for services) that you can send directly to your insurance.

Why don’t you take insurance?

Don’t get me started on our healthcare system. In a perfect world, we would all have universal healthcare and services such as mine would be accessible and affordable for everyone. Unfortunately, we do not live in that kind of society. I keep a small caseload to prevent burn out, seeing 18-22 clients per week. To maintain my business, I do not take insurance because insurance payment rates are drastically lower than the fee necessary to keep my business running.

Do you have a sliding scale?

I provide 2 sliding scale spots open at a time. You can reach out and inquire if I have any openings at this time.

What is EMDR?

Eye Movement and Desensitization and Reprocessing is a therapeutic model designed to lessen trauma symptoms. It is a highly researched and evidenced based approach. There are multiple phases of EMDR; including an assessment, preparation for trauma reprocessing, and finally trauma reprocessing. EMDR reprocessing involves recalling a traumatic event (that causes symptoms which still affect you today) while using bilateral stimulation to help reduce the emotional reaction to that event and integrate new, truthful, and/or helpful information.

How long does EMDR take?

As you guessed, this is completely different based on the client. I have had folks with one acute trauma who already have strong emotion regulation skills, work through their trauma in 3-4 months and end therapy feeling resolved. I have had other clients with complex trauma who find some relief in a few months but stick with the process for years until all of their trauma feels more resolved.

What is IFS?

Internal Family Systems is a therapeutic model that works with the various parts inside of a person. Parts does not mean separate identities, as in those with Dissociative Identity Disorder, but rather various emotional states. For example, many folks have a loud inner critic part, or a part that is anxious and tries to control everything. These parts are formed to help us adapt to painful experiences in life and can often be rigid and unaware of the safety in our current circumstances. IFS helps our parts be more cohesive and live in the present rather than reacting as if they are still being exposed to sad or scary things from when we were younger.

What is your approach with DID?

I utilize Dolores Mosquera’s EMDR Progressive approach. The EMDR Progressive approach uses bilateral stimulation (such as tapping shoulders or following my hand with your eyes) to lessen internal distress. Examples of internal distress for folks with DID may be alters or people inside who do not get along, or people inside who are afraid of growing up. This helps a person with DID’s system get along better. The goal is never to make the different identities disappear, but to get them communicating in the best way possible to improve quality of life.

Is virtual therapy effective?

Yes! I have been facilitating EMDR online since 2020 with great success. I have also helped many folks with Dissociative Disorders via telehealth as well.