Frequently asked questions.
Do you offer walk-in or crisis services?
All sessions are by appointment only. Current clients can message me to see if there is an available opening. If you are having a mental health crisis you have options:
Call 911 or go to your local emergency room
Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
In North Carolina: NC Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
Follow this link for helpful numbers from NAMI NC:
Follow this link to find your local Mobile Crisis unit by county:
In Virginia: VA National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-784-2433
Call 911 or go to your local emergency room
Follow this link for helpful numbers from NAMI VA:
Alcohol and Substance Use Helpline: (844) 289-0879
How can therapy help you?
A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors 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. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:
o Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals, and values
o Developing skills for improving your relationships
o Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
o Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
o Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
o Improving communications and listening skills
o Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
o Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
o Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
Is therapy confidential?
In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and psychotherapist. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client. However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:
1. Suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
2. If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist is required to notify the police.
3. If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.
What Is Individual Therapy?
Individual therapy is the most common form of counseling. You’ll meet regularly one-on-one therapy to explore your feelings, early life experiences, and any personal difficulties you are currently facing. Individual therapy is a unique process that can support you in the areas of your life where you feel stuck and increase your understanding of the way you engage with the world and with yourself. Deeper self-knowledge promotes healing, restore self-esteem, and can help you move forward in life.
What to Expect in Individual Therapy
We believe the process of meeting weekly or Bi-weekly, depending on your schedule, for 50 minutes can provide tremendous support in one’s journey of self-reflection and understanding to developing better relationships with self and others. In individual therapy you can begin to create goals and work through internal and external conflicts, improve your communication and reach milestones, you have been struggling to complete.
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. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you’re at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever 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 coming to psychotherapy. Some may be going through a major life transition (unemployment, divorce, new job, etc.), or are not handling stressful circumstances well. Some people need assistance managing a range of other issues such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, addictions, relationship problems, spiritual conflicts and creative blocks. Therapy can help provide some much needed encouragement and help with skills 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. In short, people seeking psychotherapy are ready to meet the challenges in their lives and ready to make changes in their lives.
What is therapy like?
Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual. In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, and report progress from the previous therapy session. Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term, for a specific issue, or longer-term, to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development. Either way, it is most common to schedule regular sessions with your therapist. It is important to understand that you will get more results from therapy if you actively participate in the process. The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn and/or discover in session back into your life. People seeking psychotherapy are ready to make positive changes in their lives, are open to new perspectives, and are ready take responsibility for their lives.
Do you take insurance, and how does that work?
Yes, we accept certain insurances. Please see list. We also accept private pay.