Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy

This is my first time seeking psychotherapy. What do I need to know?

Acknowledging the need for support is an act of strength. I’m glad you’re here!

Finding the right type of therapy and the right therapist is deeply personal. Not every approach works for everyone, and not every therapist will be the right fit for you. That’s okay.

It can take a few sessions to get a feel for whether the therapist’s style and personality resonate with you. I encourage you to give yourself the space to explore that. There’s a good fit out there for everyone, so don’t be discouraged if it takes more than one try.

How long does therapy last? When will I start feeling better?

The duration of psychotherapy depends on the type and the severity of the issues that brought you to treatment, and on what works best for you.

The type of therapy I provide aims to bring about deep and long-lasting psychological change, not by simply treating the symptoms, but by addressing and transforming the underlying emotional patterns that fuel those symptoms. It takes time to uncover these patterns and work through old ways of coping. The goal is not to put a band-aid on the wound, but to get to the root of it and heal it entirely.

You will often begin to feel relief and betterment once you start to feel safe with your therapist and supported in sharing these intimate parts of yourself. As the treatment progresses and we begin to touch the more painful material, it can sometimes feel as though things are getting worse, but this is often a sign that deeper healing is taking place. When unprocessed pain is allowed to be acknowledged, processed, and understood, change becomes possible.

How often would we meet?

The frequency of sessions, like the duration of therapy, depends on the nature and severity of the issues you want to work on. Together, we’ll decide what schedule feels right for your needs.

I generally recommend meeting no less than once a week, as this helps the process build momentum and deepen, leading to better results. Sessions scheduled no less than once a week generally provide the best momentum for therapeutic progress.

Do you give advice? Will you teach me therapy skills and techniques?

It’s natural to want to know how to make it all feel better. The therapeutic approach I offer is based on the belief that you are the expert on what’s best for you, and my role is to help you connect with that inner wisdom. Because of this, I don’t offer direct advice. However, while our work is grounded in talk therapy, I may incorporate and offer mindfulness-based techniques as complementary tools to support your process. These practices are optional and serve as an adjunct to the deeper relational and exploratory work we’ll do together.

Do you only offer online/virtual counseling? Is there an option for in-person sessions?

I offer virtual psychotherapy sessions exclusively. All sessions take place through Simple Practice, a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. I work fully remotely; therefore, in-person sessions are not available.

Can I attend online therapy sessions from anywhere in the world?

You can attend our virtual psychotherapy sessions from wherever you are, but with one important note: therapy licensing laws are based on your physical location at the time of the session.

In general, I can only work with clients who are physically located in states or countries where I am licensed and/or legally permitted to provide services. I am currently licensed in Illinois and Puerto Rico. Some regions also allow temporary or limited practice without a local license under certain conditions, such as short-term practice, during travel, and other circumstances.

If you're unsure whether I can work with you based on your location, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I'm happy to clarify based on current regulations.

How much do sessions cost and do you take insurance?

The fee per session is $200.

I am currently in-network with the following insurance plans:

Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO (including Anthem plans and Blue Choice)
Blue Cross Community Health Plans (Medicaid)
Aetna PPO, Aetna POS, Aetna HMO
Aetna Better Health of Illinois (Medicaid)

For out-of-network insurance plans, I provide superbills that you can submit for partial reimbursement depending on your insurance out-of-network benefits.

If you have questions about coverage or reimbursement, feel free to reach out, I’m here to help you navigate the process.

Do you offer reduced fee sessions for self-pay clients?

I offer a limited number of sliding scale spots to make therapy more accessible, with fees adjusted based on each client’s income and financial situation. A minimum fee applies to ensure the sustainability of services, and all reduced fees are determined individually during consultation to ensure fairness and sustainability. Please reach out if you’d like to discuss whether a sliding scale option might be appropriate for you.

What is your cancellation policy?

Your scheduled appointment time is reserved specifically for you. If you need to cancel or reschedule, I ask that you please provide at least 48 hours’ notice, as this allows me to offer that time to other clients who may be waiting. This helps keep scheduling fair and consistent for everyone.

I understand that life can be unpredictable, and I do my best to be flexible when unexpected last-minute changes arise. When a late cancellation or no-show occurs, the fee will be waived only if a mutually available time to make up the session is found and the session is conducted within a week. Otherwise, the full session fee, or contracted insurance fee (if you are using insurance) will be charged and is your responsibility. The only exception to this policy applies to clients with Medicaid coverage, who are not charged fees for missed or late-cancelled sessions.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Is therapy confidential?

The conversations between you and your therapist are kept private and confidential, with only a few exceptions required by law:

If you or someone else is in imminent danger, or if there is suspected abuse or neglect of a child, elder, or vulnerable adult, confidentiality must be broken to ensure everyone's safety. In some cases, I may also be legally required to release information, such as in response to a court order. These situations don’t come up often, but if they do, I’ll always handle them with great care and talk with you as much as possible.

If you're using insurance, please note that your provider may request access to certain parts of your records, such as diagnoses, treatment plans, or progress notes, for purposes like reimbursement, audits, or prior authorization. In these cases, I will share only the minimum information required and handle disclosures with care and respect.

Do you offer a free consultation for prospective clients?

Yes. I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation for prospective clients. This gives us an opportunity to briefly connect, discuss your needs, and explore whether working together feels like a good fit. There’s no pressure to commit, just a chance to see if this space feels right for you.