FAQ

Some people have a sense of what they want when beginning therapy, and some aren't quite sure what they're looking for. Wherever you're at when you reach out is a great place to start. A "good fit" can look like meeting your needs regarding my expertise and training or how I practice, or it can simply mean that we mesh naturally. Tracking your own feelings and experience with me during sessions is the best way to tell if your needs are being met. Do you feel safe even when we move towards discomfort? Do you feel understood and heard? Do you feel like you can tell me things that are typically hard to bring up or talk about? Like any new relationship, therapy can take some time to settle into so it may take a few sessions to determine if I'm the best fit for you. And if I'm not, that's okay, too. Finding a therapist you genuinely connect with is one of the strongest predictors of a positive therapy experience, and I'm always happy to help point you toward someone who may be a better fit.

After you reach out, we'll schedule a consultation phone call to start getting to know each other and see if it feels like a fit. During this call, which is usually 15-20 minutes long, I'll ask you to share a bit about what you're wanting to work on in therapy and whether you have any preferences regarding qualities you want in a therapist. I'll tell you about how I practice and what the next steps would look like if we worked together. Of course, I'll also answer any questions you may have about therapy or my practice. At that point, we can look at scheduling an intake session or you can take some time to think about whether you'd like to work with me.

Therapy is a personalized experience and looks different for each unique person. Some people come to therapy with a specific concern they want to work through and may only need support for a few months, while others choose to work with me for years as they navigate new challenges, transitions, and seasons of life. If we work together, I'll start off simply getting to know you - asking questions, reflecting what I hear to make sure I'm understanding, and starting to get a sense of you as a person. I enjoy bringing attention to themes and pointing out patterns to help you develop more in-the-moment awareness of your thoughts, emotions, and responses. As your challenges and stuck points come into focus, we'll work on navigating barriers and obstacles, clarifying your values to guide our way forward, and experimenting with new ways of relating to yourself and the world around you. My goal is not to tell you who you should be or what choices you should make. Instead, I want to help you discover what feels right for you, not simply what you've been told is right by others.

It's perfectly natural to sometimes not know what to say during a therapy session. Maybe the week was fine, so you're not sure what to focus on or it's just a nerve-wracking situation to sit in front of a near-stranger and feel expected to pour your heart out (which makes complete sense!). Sometimes things that feel small or insignificant are actually windows into larger themes and patterns that are worth exploring. That little spike of sadness you had when your brother told you about his amazing weekend? Let's talk about it! You finished a book that unexpectedly brought up a lot of emotion, and you aren't sure what you're feeling or why? Let's talk about it! What we talk about in therapy doesn't have to be a certain size to "count." The little moments can tell us something important about how you see yourself, relate to others, or move through the world. All you need to bring to therapy is some curiosity and openness. We can start there and figure the rest out together.

I offer telehealth counseling to clients in Montana and Colorado, the states where I am licensed. While I have an office in Bozeman, you don't need to live nearby to work with me. Many clients choose telehealth because it allows them to access support from wherever they are in the state. Telehealth is also available for folks who do live in the Bozeman area and can be helpful for anyone who has barriers to attending in-person sessions. If you're wondering whether I can work with you based on where you live, feel free to reach out and ask.

I am an in-network provider for the following insurance companies:

• Blue Cross Blue Shield

• Mountain Health Co-op

• PacificSource

• United Healthcare

• Aetna

• Allegiance

• Cigna

• First Choice Health

• Montana Medicaid

While I am in-network with these companies, all plans are different. The cost of therapy services is determined by the benefits provided by your specific plan. It is your responsibility to be aware of your benefits prior to beginning therapy.

If you'd like to pay for services without insurance, my rates are as follows:

• 90-minute intake session: $200

• 55-minute therapy session: $165

Under the No Surprises Act, you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate of expected charges for healthcare services if you are uninsured or choose not to use insurance. You may request a Good Faith Estimate when beginning therapy or at any point during your care. For more information about Good Faith Estimates and your rights under the No Surprises Act, click here.