Check out my information on the About Me and Services pages to better understand the clients I work with and my therapeutic process.
Then follow the booking link to set up your free consultation! The consultation is where we succinctly discuss your reasons for seeking therapy, my therapeutic approach, and briefly discuss logistical information, before ending with next steps.
Psychotherapy is a healing process that works similarly to other medical visits. In psychotherapy, there are tests called Assessments/Screening Tools we use similar to when your doctor orders blood work, or other tests, to gather data. We also do a clinical interview with you, like when you see and talk to your doctor during that initial appointment. Finally, when your doctor has sufficient information they make a diagnosis and decide on a treatment plan with you. In psychotherapy we will do that too but often we start with a preliminary diagnosis and treatment plan, one that we fine-tuned with you the more you share in therapy, and we learn how to best help you.
These are important questions but also extremely hard to answer.
First, while similarities often exist between past experiences, symptoms, and life impacts for those in therapy our individuality means that what one person needs, how they respond, and what results they see & when from therapy varies from person to person. Second, if you are using insurance, benefits may limit the amount and duration of psychotherapy. Third, your input with regard to scheduling, for whatever reasons, is respected. Although I’d ask you to keep in mind that research shows an increased frequency of sessions at the beginning of therapy correlates to improved outcomes and the speed of results. This means that I typically recommend meeting weekly in the beginning (first 6 weeks) in order for us to get to know each other better and develop a solid working relationship. After which we can reevaluate the frequency cadence. It is my goal to be able to have you leave each session having a specific tool or understanding that can help you improve your life.
To maintain the best results, research also shows that it is best to not terminate therapy suddenly, but to gradually reduce the frequency of meetings over time. This may mean that we meet weekly in the beginning, but once you feel more stable, we meet bi-weekly, and then move to “booster sessions” every month to every other month. Eventually you and I will decide when you’re ready to discontinue scheduling and close your file. Which means you are always welcome to come back should a new concern or crisis develop and you believe additional therapy is needed. There is no shame in returning after time away. Each of us have different needs and seasons in our lives that cannot necessarily be predicted. So, we will keep our minds open and, while recognizing that, just like anything else, you get from therapy what you put into it, we can have an open dialogue about how to best meet your needs.
You deserve to know what you are responsible to pay for each session. The practice complies with the IL No Surprises Act and provides Good Faith Estimates upon request. Just like any item that you consume it is ultimately your responsibility to pay for any services you participate in, you can’t eat the cake and not pay for it.
A Financial Services Agreement is signed at the beginning of the process, maybe updated every 6 months, and subject to updates that the practice makes in the future. Any rate changes will be provided (typically emailed) as applicable.
It is practice policy that Financial discussions will not be held within the counseling space, separate phone calls or in-person discussions must be arranged.
See Payments & Rates for current rates and fees.
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