Psychotherapy is an approach for treating mental health issues by talking with a psychologist, psychiatrist or another mental health provider. It also is known as talk therapy, counseling, psychosocial therapy or, simply, therapy.

During psychotherapy, you learn about your specific issues and how your thoughts, emotions and behaviors affect your moods. Talk therapy helps you learn how to take control of your life and respond to challenging situations with healthy coping skills.

There are many types of psychotherapy. The type that's right for you depends on your situation.

Psychotherapy can help treat many mental health issues, including:

• Depression: Psychotherapy can help you understand the causes of your depression, change negative thought patterns, and learn coping skills. 

• Anxiety: Psychotherapy can help you understand your feelings and what causes you to feel anxious. 

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Psychotherapy can help you identify and change unhealthy thoughts and behaviors. 

• Grief or loss: Psychotherapy can help you cope with the death of a loved one. 

• Relationship problems: Psychotherapy can help you address relationship issues. 

• Stress: Psychotherapy can help you manage stress. 

• Low self-esteem: Psychotherapy can help with low self-esteem. 

• Major life transitions: Psychotherapy can help you cope with major life changes. 

• Behavioral conditions: Psychotherapy can help with conditions like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and conduct disorder. 

No. Not everyone who benefits from psychotherapy is diagnosed with a mental illness. Psychotherapy can help with the stresses and conflicts of life that can affect anyone.

For example, psychotherapy may help you:

• Resolve conflicts with your partner or someone else in your life.

• Relieve anxiety or stress due to work or other situations.

• Cope with major life changes, such as divorce, the death of a loved one or the loss of a job.

• Learn to manage unhealthy reactions, such as road rage or other aggressive behavior.

• Come to terms with an ongoing or serious health issue, such as diabetes, cancer or long-term pain.

• Recover from physical or sexual abuse or witnessing violence.

• Cope with sexual problems, whether they're due to a physical or psychological cause.

• Sleep better if you have trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep.

In some cases, psychotherapy can be as effective as medications, such as antidepressants. But each person’s situation is different and talk therapy alone may not be enough to ease the symptoms of a mental health condition. You also may need medicines. In this situation, referrals for medical providers who prescribe these medications may be provided.

Psychotherapy generally involves little risk. But because it can explore painful feelings and experiences, you may feel emotionally uncomfortable at times. A skilled therapist who can meet your needs can minimize any risks.

Learning coping skills can help you manage and conquer negative feelings and fears.

Before your first appointment, think about what issues you'd like to work on. You also can sort this out with me, but having some sense in advance may provide a good starting point.

You will need to fill out forms about your physical and emotional health before your appointment.

At the first psychotherapy session, I usually gather information about you and your needs. It might take a few sessions for me to fully understand your situation and concerns and determine the best course of action.

Ask questions anytime during your appointment. If you don't feel that I am good fit for you, it’s ok! Please mention it so we can address your concerns. Having a good fit with your therapist is critical for effective treatment. My goal is to help you whether I am the right therapist for you or not. I am happy to provide you with referrals for other therapists.

During psychotherapy

For most types of psychotherapy, you talk about your thoughts and feelings and what's troubling you. Don't worry if you find it hard to open up about your feelings. I can help you gain more confidence and comfort as time goes on.

Because psychotherapy sometimes involves intense emotional discussions, you may find yourself crying, becoming upset or even having an angry outburst during a session. You also may feel physically exhausted after a session. I can help you cope with these feelings and emotions.

After a session, I may ask you to do specific activities or practice what you learned. Over time, discussing your concerns can improve your mood and change the way you think and feel about yourself. It also can improve your ability to cope with problems.

We’ll likely meet weekly or every other week for 45 to 55 minutes.

Except in rare cases, conversations are confidential. A therapist may break confidentiality if there's an immediate threat to safety or when state or federal law requires reporting concerns to authorities. Your therapist can answer questions about confidentiality.

The number of psychotherapy sessions you need and how frequently you need to see your therapist depends on factors such as:

• Your mental health issues.

• Severity of your symptoms.

• How long you've had symptoms or have been dealing with your mental health issues.

• How quickly you make progress toward your treatment goals.

• How much stress you're experiencing.

• How much your mental health concerns interfere with daily life.

• How much support you receive from family members and others.

• Cost and insurance limitations.

Your therapist can help you understand how long treatment may take.

It may take only weeks to help you cope with a short-term issue. Or treatment may last a year or longer if you have a long-term mental health issue or other long-term concerns.

Psychotherapy may not cure your condition or make an unpleasant situation go away. But it can give you the power to cope in a healthy way and feel better about yourself and your life.

To get the most out of psychotherapy, take these steps:

• Make sure you feel comfortable with your therapist. If you aren't comfortable, look for another therapist who can make you feel more at ease.

• Approach therapy as a partnership. Psychotherapy is most effective when you actively participate and share in decision-making. Make sure you and your therapist agree about the major issues and how to work on them. Together, you can set goals and measure progress over time.

• Be open and honest. Success depends on your willingness to share your thoughts, feelings and experiences. It also depends on whether you're willing to consider new insights, ideas and ways of doing things. If you hesitate to talk about certain issues because of painful emotions, embarrassment or fears about your therapist's reaction, let your therapist know.

• Follow your treatment plan. If you feel down or lack motivation, it may be tempting to skip psychotherapy sessions. But doing so can slow your progress. Try to attend all sessions and think about what you want to discuss.

• Don't expect instant results. Working on emotional issues can be painful, and it may require hard work. You may need several sessions before you begin to improve.

• Do your homework between sessions. If your therapist asks you to document your thoughts in a journal or practice coping skills outside of your therapy sessions, follow through. These assignments can help you apply what you've learned in the therapy sessions.

• If psychotherapy isn't helping, talk to your therapist. If you don't feel that you're benefiting from therapy after several sessions, talk to your therapist about it. You and your therapist may decide to make some changes or try a different approach that may be more effective.

Free 15 minute consultation

Intake Appointment (first session 55 min)= $175.00

Subsequent sessions (45-55 min)= $150.00

A limited number of sliding-scale spots (based on need) are available.

All fees are due each session. Credit card payments are accepted.

Therapy is a worthwhile investment of both time and money, as your well-being is essential. Yes, there is a cost, however, seeing yourself and your personal growth as worthy and valuable is part of the work!

If you are having an emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

For mental health emergencies, you can also call the National Crisis and Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 9-8-8

This practice is unable to provide crisis intervention and response after hours.

Yes, I am in-network with:

• Aetna

• United Health Care (UHC)/United Behavioral Health (UBH)

I am in the process of becoming paneled with Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Blue Care Network, and Medicare.

If you choose to use your insurance benefit, you will need to first contact your insurance provider to confirm your benefit for psychotherapy services.

For other insurance plans, as an out-of-network provider, I can provide you with a superbill upon request. In this case, you pay for therapy sessions, I then provide you with the superbill that includes all required information, which you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement, if there is an available out-of-network benefit from your insurer. Please note a superbill does not guarantee reimbursement for out-of-network services from your insurance company.

Otherwise, I accept credit card payments for private pay services.

Therapy is a worthwhile investment of both time and money, as your well-being is essential. Yes, there is a cost, however, seeing yourself and your personal growth as worthy and valuable is part of the work!

I will provide a link for you, using the HIPAA compliant platform, doxy.me to conduct the session. You will just need a private, comfortable space and a strong internet connection for our 55 minute telehealth appointments.

Sessions are online, via video.

If you need in person therapy, please ask.

If there is something else you need support with and it is not listed here, please contact me.

• ADHD

• Anxiety

• Caregivers

• Coping Skills

• Depression

• Life Transitions

• Men's Issues

• Mood Disorders

• Older Adults

• Peer Relationships

• Perimenopause

• Relationship Issues

• Self Esteem

• Stress

• Women's health

• Women's Issues