This depends on your individual needs and desires. Many people experience some relief within the first six months, but in my experience, longer-lasting change tends to take more time. I understand that this can sound intimidating, so I invite you at any point to bring in any questions or concerns about the length of therapy, and we can discuss it openly. I see therapy as a collaborative process, so I will always try my best to honor your needs and wishes.
Many people come to therapy seeking relief from symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other forms of psychic distress or pain which can sometimes manifest physically. Therapy often helps in alleviating symptoms such as these.
As a result of our work together, you may also begin to notice positive changes to your overall well-being. You may notice yourself engaging in healthier ways of coping with stress. You may begin to notice a greater tolerance for distress and less of a need to run from uncomfortable emotional states. You may find you are able to communicate more effectively with those around you. You may feel a greater sense of wholeness as you are able to accept parts of yourself that used to cause you to feel shame or guilt. You may notice that you begin to feel liberated from things that had been confining you with or without your awareness. You may notice that you are beginning to live with more lightness and a greater sense of ease.
The possibilities are endless.
I find that two factors tend to be indicative of best outcomes in therapy: consistency and bravery.
Consistency
If we decide to work together, we will set up a regular meeting time, usually weekly to start. Sometimes you may be eager to come in and talk; other times, you might feel like you do not have enough to talk about, and you may even feel a sense of dread. This is a normal part of the process. I'll encourage you to try your best to be present regardless so you can reap the benefits of making therapy a regular part of your routine.
Bravery
This work requites a great deal of bravery. Sometimes sharing your thoughts and feelings will be easy and even fun -- it can be a special experience to have someone to share some of this stuff with! Other times, it might feel difficult and uncomfortable. While I will respect your pace, I will also invite you to be brave in sharing anything that comes to mind, even things that may be harder to talk about, including thoughts or feelings about the therapy process itself. It will require some bravery to sit with the discomfort that may arise, but the benefits of this work will surely be worth it.
I work individually with adults of any age and teenagers with a variety of presenting concerns. I am not a couples or family therapist. If you're curious about whether we would work well together, don't hesitate to reach out and I'd be happy to schedule a phone consultation. Talking on the phone is the best way for us to determine if we'd be a good fit.
My fee is $160 per 50 minute session. Please contact me directly to discuss your financial needs.
I am an out-of-network provider with insurance companies. This means I do not bill insurance directly but I can provide you with a statement at the end of the month that can be submitted to your insurance company so that they may reimburse you.
If you are interested in seeking insurance reimbursement for therapy, I suggest contacting your insurance company to ask the following questions:
What is my out-of-network coverage?
Is there a deductible I have to meet before coverage begins?
What is the reimbursement rate for outpatient individual psychotherapy?
What is the best way to go about submitting insurance claims?
I do have experience working with insurance companies, so I may be able to help out if you need assistance navigating this process.
Missed appointments or appointments that are not cancelled within 24 hours will be charged the session fee for the time that has been reserved for you.
I see clients both in person and virtually. In St. Louis, I prefer to meet clients in person at least initially, as this can help in the process of getting to know one another, but I understand that for various reasons, some people might need or prefer to meet virtually. For those in New York, I only meet with clients via telehealth. I provide the option of either phone or video sessions.