WHAT IS THERAPY AND HOW CAN IT HELP ME?
I see therapy as a slow, incremental process of change that combined with commitment and consistent effort, can lead to transformation. This transformation occurs within the context of a relationship with a licensed professional. In this process, the relationship you have with your therapist (or counselor) is one of the most important elements of the therapeutic journey. As a trauma-responsive, Polyvagal informed practitioner, I help people understand how the autonomic nervous system, and the vagus nerve, are integral elements of our day-to-day, moment-to-moment physical, emotional, mental and relational aspects of life.
Cultural factors such as hyper individualism and professionalism have conditioned some of us to believe that change and transformation can only happen in spaces that have been designated “therapeutic”. Before therapy was a thing, we relied on family, friends, religious, and community resources to support us through life challenges and events. I encourage people who have these resources available to them to seek them out as they are powerful, nurturing and life changing options.
For those that do not feel they have these supportive relationships, therapy is one alternative for seeking help. There are many benefits from participating in therapy. The relationship you have with yourself is the most important and powerful relationship that you will ever have. As a therapist, I walk with you as a guide on the exploration of your own life. I listen and offer a variety of ways to support you on your therapeutic journey. I help you understand your nervous system, develop discernment (the ability to perceive, understand, and judge things clearly or tell things apart), and learn how to feel safe. We examine how mental distress such as depression and anxiety are understandable reactions to wider societal problems. We explore the ways trauma, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress, and body image issues impact your life. Many people also find that therapists can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy with me include:
- Understanding how your nervous system informs your physical, emotional and mental health and nearly every aspect of your life
- Tapping into your own innate resources to understand and regulate your emotional state
- Acquiring a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
- Developing skills for improving your relationships
- Learning new ways to understand and navigate stress, anxiety, depression and other emotional pressures
- Improving communication and listening skills
- Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
- Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
- Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
DO I REALLY NEED THERAPY? I CAN USUALLY HANDLE MY PROBLEMS.
Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. By engaging in therapy, you are taking responsibility for and making a commitment to change your life. Therapy offers long-lasting benefits and support, developing the tools you need to name your emotional states; work through and tolerate triggers; identify and shift damaging patterns; and, navigate the challenges you face.
WHY DO PEOPLE GO TO THERAPY AND HOW DO I KNOW IF IT IS RIGHT FOR ME?
People have many different motivations for seeking therapy. Some may be going through a major life transition (death, unemployment, divorce, new job, etc.), or are not handling stressful circumstances well. Some people need assistance with regulating emotions, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, addictions, relationship problems, spiritual conflicts and creative blocks. Therapy can help provide much-needed encouragement and help identify resources to get them through these periods. Others may be at a point where they are ready to learn more about themselves or want to be more effective with their goals in life.
WHAT IS THERAPY LIKE?
Because everyone comes to therapy with their own life experiences and has different issues and goals, your therapeutic journey will be unique. There are some activities and practices that are specific to my approach to therapy.
I see therapy as an opportunity to explore your life, learn how you interact with yourself, within relationships, and your environment, and help you identify or develop resources to live a more regulated life.
A major part of my job is to curate spaces where safety is prioritized, so that healing and transformation become possible. Many people who seek therapy have learned to deny, run from, or creatively avoid feeling their discomfort. They recognize these are no longer effective strategies and need a safe, relational space to explore their lives. You can expect me to show up as a regulated, compassionate presence to help you face your discomfort and learn to hold the truth of your experience.
Typically, an individual therapy session lasts from 45 to 60 minutes. During your session, you can expect to explore the current events in your life, symptoms and how they are showing up, your personal and family history, relationship challenges, the social pressures and forces that contribute to your distress (and your happiness), and report progress or any new insights. Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term for a specific issue, long-term to deal with more difficult patterns or interpersonal problems, or to support your personal development.
Most of your life happens outside of the therapeutic space. One of the primary purposes of therapy is to help you take what you learn in session and practice it in your life. For that reason, the work you do in between sessions is where the slow, incremental change that leads to transformation happens. I always invite people to engage in their day-to-day, moment-to-moment lives and offer a variety of ways to do so. This will include noticing and naming your emotional states, engaging with your senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste), reading, journaling, or noting particular reactions, thoughts, and behaviors when you explore your internal dialogue or engage with others.
WHY CHOOSE ONLINE THERAPY (OR TELEHEALTH)
Benefit #1: Telehealth fits into your life.
By removing barriers like traffic, work schedules, and family responsibilities, online therapy can make your therapeutic work a seamless part of your life. Meeting before or after work or finding time to commute to an office creates scheduling challenges. Having your session before picking up the kids from school will work with your family's scheduling needs. With live video sessions, you can engage in therapy from wherever you have a safe, private space where you are alone: your office, your car, your bedroom your basement…
Benefit #2: Telehealth can increase attendance and therapy success
Because of its convenience, online therapy can increase attendance, continuity, and consistency in therapy. That means that you will be able to do the work to get closer to your specific treatment goals. Maybe you know you're more likely to be accountable for your therapeutic work if all you need to do is pick up your phone or computer and click the link.
Benefit #3: Telehealth has an added element of safety
You have the ability to choose a place that feels right for you. It also adds as element of physical and medical safety for those who need to be concerned with safe distancing or exposure to airborne germs or viruses that create the potential for health challenges.
WHAT ABOUT MEDICATION VS. PSYCHOTHERAPY?
It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness. Working with your medical doctor you can determine what's best for you, and in some cases a combination of medication and therapy can be a beneficial course of action.
DO YOU TAKE INSURANCE, AND HOW DOES THAT WORK?
I accept a variety of insurances. In Indiana, I currently accept certain forms of Cigna, Optum, Oxford, and United Healthcare. In Ohio, I currently accept certain forms of Aetna, Centivo, Cigna, Oscar, Optum, Oxford, United Healthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (Ohio based only). I offer out-of-network services and an individualized payment plan structure for those not covered by insurance. I am licensed in Georgia and in the application process for insurance credentialing.
To determine if you have mental health coverage through your insurance carrier, one thing you can do is call them or read through your provider data. Check your coverage carefully and make sure you understand their answers. Some helpful questions you can ask them:
- What are my mental health benefits?
- What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
- How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
- How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
- Is approval required from my primary care physician?
I also work with a company that provides administrative support and handles my insurance processing for people who want to use their insurance.
WHAT IS CONFIDENTIALITY?
Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and psychotherapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but the therapist's office. Every therapist should provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone. This is called “Informed Consent”. Sometimes, however, you may want your therapist to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (your Physician, Naturopath, Attorney), but by law your therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.
However, state law and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations:
* Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders requires therapists to report to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources.
* If the therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threatened to harm another person.
