FAQ

On the fence about therapy? Skepticism about the therapeutic process often hinders personal healing. You may express doubts like:

• ‘My issues aren’t that serious.’
• ‘Only those with severe problems need therapy.’
• ‘I should be able to handle this by myself.’
• ‘Going to therapy means something is seriously wrong with me!’

When something troubles you and disrupts your life, seeking help from a qualified therapist can uncover unnoticed patterns of thinking and behavior.

Or you might be one of those folks who has gone to therapy sporadically for years, returning during tough times and pausing when you don’t see many gains. This might mean that traditional talk therapy has run its course and suggest that its time to shift to a different approach like EMDR.

Committing to weekly therapy provides space and time to slow down and reflect on your emotions and behavior patterns. This introspection is pivotal for change.

As your therapist, my goal is to create a safe environment for us to explore behavior patterns, emotions, and inner conflicts that may be causing distress and hindering your ability to live fully.

Your happiness matters, and you deserve to thrive! A season of therapy can mall all the difference. Call me now to get started. 

I live in Houston, Texas, and work with Houstonians in-person, but I also work virtually via a HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform with people throughout Texas, New York, and Idaho. So it’s not a problem if you don’t live in Houston!

If you’re an adult, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, I’d love to support you.

Inclusivity and cultural competence are important values in my work. As a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, anti-racist therapist, I create space to discuss and honor the ways in which your life experiences differ from mine, as well as how these differences will factor into our rapport and the work we do together.

If, after talking together, you determine I’m not the right fit for you, I will help you find another therapist who is.

Talk therapy and EMDR sessions are 50 minutes. Accelerated Resolution Therapy and clinical hypnosis sessions are 75 minutes.

Therapy is most beneficial when done weekly, so I recommend meeting regularly for the first 4-8 weeks and then exploring the next best steps.

(Learn more about my discounted 4-week and 8-week talk therapy packages under the FAQ: How much do you charge?)

Honesty, if you want therapy to be a time to solely vent and talk uninterrupted, I’m not the therapist for you. I presume people want therapy because they desire real change and I will move you forward by blending two approaches—’top down’ and ‘bottom up’ processing.

The ‘top down’ methods like Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (specifically for ADHD, anxiety, and insomnia), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), engage reasoning and language to alter thoughts, feelings, and behavior. These techniques directly address symptoms and teach skills and coping mechanisms.

The ‘bottom up’ interventions like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), and Clinical Hypnosis tap into the brain’s lower regions, handling emotional and sensory information. They reconfigure how your nervous system reacts, reshape memories, and establish new neural pathways efficiently. This approach targets the root cause, not just the symptoms, allowing you to surpass anxiety, fear, phobias, or trauma and achieve lasting progress.

And yes, we’ll do a lot of talking together. I’m down to earth and super friendly, but I’m focused.  I use this integrative approach because both methods are backed by solid research and because each individual’s situation demands a distinct therapeutic toolkit.

I should add my work is also influenced by Psychodynamic and Attachment theories, which help us understand the influence of your past on your present.

At the start of a session, we review your experiences since our last meeting. My approach centers on your strengths and needs, so we begin wherever you feel comfortable, addressing the issues you wish to explore.

Together, we define our objectives and strategize on how to achieve them, creating action items. Sessions typically involve a blend of sharing insights, educational discussions, and exercises to build skills.

Full disclosure: therapy presents a challenge. It can feel really good to get things off your chest and begin working toward your goals in the first few sessions, and then, for many people, things get tricky.

Change can be hard. It’s normal to experience the desire to stop going to therapy when complex themes or emotions come up. Therefore, I offer 4- to 6-week packages, which afford you a measure of accountability for getting some real inner work accomplished.

Therapy continues as long as it proves beneficial to you. My expertise lies in evidence-based, solution-focused methods. I aim to maximize the value you get from your investment—both in terms of finances and time. I believe therapy doesn’t always have to be prolonged; it can be effective and efficient, tailored to your needs without unnecessary length.

Sometimes. I may ask you to notice your thoughts, feelings, or behaviors between sessions, reflect a bit, or practice a new skill so that you can actively engage in growth between sessions. My only requirement is that you commit to showing up weekly, so you can make the most of your time and money. 

Session Prices:

• Individual therapy – 50 minute session (including EMDR): $180
• Hypnosis or Accelerated Resolution Therapy – 75 to 90 minute session: $220

Ask about special Introductory and Package Rates available for:

• New client therapy packages (call for pricing)
• Various discounted package sessions tailored to specific needs:
  • Relief and Renewal Chronic Pain Management (4 weeks)
  • Restful Night’s Sleep: CBTI + Hypnosis (8 weeks)
  • Focus Forward: Integrative ADHD Therapy and Coaching (8 weeks)
  • Calm Mind Initiative: Test Taking Anxiety (4 weeks, ages 16+ for specific exams like SAT, ACT, GRE, MCAT, LSAT, etc.)

I accept all major credit, debit, HSA, FSA cards. Credit/debit card payments occur through my HIPAA-compliant patient portal, which securely stores your information and charges when you book your session or purchase a package.

To provide the highest caliber of care to my clients, I do not take insurance.

I have chosen to forgo joining insurance panels for several reasons with you in mind: Choice of therapist, flexibility, and confidentiality.

Insurance companies frequently impose session limits, dictate specific therapy approaches, or decline coverage for certain therapies. Additionally, they often mandate a diagnosis and create records that might affect your future, such as limiting options for life insurance.

Paying out-of-pocket allows you to choose a therapist who fits your needs, focus on the specific areas you want to work on, and move forward at your own speed—all while maintaining confidentiality.

For these reasons, I operate as an out-of-network psychotherapy provider. If your insurance plan includes out-of-network mental health benefits, I’m glad to furnish you with a ‘Superbill’ for reimbursement.

You may receive up to 50-80% reimbursement after your out-of-network deductible has been met (PPO plans generally have the highest reimbursement rates for out-of-network providers).

Here are some questions I suggest you ask your insurance company:

• Do I have an out-of-network (OON) deductible and if so, how much is it?
• How much of my OON deductible has been met this calendar year?
• After my deductible is met, what percentage of session fees will I be reimbursed?
• Is there a session limit for reimbursement?
• How do I submit Superbill receipts?

Please note, I can’t ensure the confidentiality of your information once it’s in the hands of your insurance provider.

To schedule a free 20-minute consultation, please see the Contact page. Alternatively, you can book free consults directly on my patient portal. We’ll discuss what brings you to therapy, if I’m the right fit for your goals, answer any questions, and schedule your first appointment.

I kindly ask for a 24-hour notice for any appointment cancellations. For cancellations made on the same day or in case of no-shows, the full session fee will be charged. If there’s an open slot available, I may be able to accommodate rescheduling within the same week.

Take a look at my clinical hypnosis page for more info on this evidence-based tool.

Accelerated Resolution Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that is like EMDR in that its aim is to reduce the emotional impact of traumatic or difficult memories.

Although ART also uses bilateral stimulation, the process is a little different. ART asks you to recall the memory while engaging in eye movement via a technique called “imaginal exposure.” You imagine the event in a condensed and less distressing way.

Accelerated Resolution Therapy helps you process and integrate the memory into your long-term memory, so you will experience reduced symptoms and improved overall functioning.

ART can be done in person or online.

Absolutely. Spirituality often serves as a grounding force, enabling us to navigate challenging emotions, trauma, and the pressures of everyday life.

Experiences rooted in faith (such as upbringing in a religious setting) can either provide substantial strength or require careful processing and healing from toxic aspects.

My expertise includes post-graduate training in spirituality, ongoing teaching of a graduate-level course on this subject, understanding of high-control religions and religious deconstruction, and personal engagement in spiritual and faith-based practices.

Additionally, I’m honored to support clients who find spirituality insignificant as well as those who hold no spiritual or faith-based beliefs or practices.

I earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Social Work, a Master of Science in Social Work, and a Master of Education in Special Education. With over 25 years of experience in therapy, I’ve worked across diverse settings including private practice, corporate environments, adoption agencies, mental health clinics, correctional facilities, and higher education.

Assess your motivation for therapy. Are you ready to dig in and do the work? I will work with your head, but the growth that happens in therapy is heart-centered, requiring vulnerability, self-reflection, and action. If you’re ready, call me.

Federal law mandates that, as an out-of-network provider, I furnish you with a Good Faith Estimate detailing the total expected cost of healthcare services before you commit to receiving them. This law, known as the No Surprises Act, applies to all healthcare providers, including therapists.

Due to individual differences, I cannot accurately predict the duration of your required services. However, I’ll provide upfront cost details and documentation for your records.

The No Surprises Act guarantees your right to receive this Good Faith Estimate at least a day before your healthcare service. Moreover, if you receive a bill that exceeds your Good Faith Estimate by $400, you have the option to dispute it.

Doggos all the way, all day!

I enjoy time with my family, our dogs, international travel, road trips, running, reading memoirs, and taking fashion design classes at my local community college.