Individual Counseling

Q. How long is a session?

A. Each session is 45- 60 minutes, once a week to start with.

Q. How long will the therapy take?

A. Number of needed sessions is difficult to predict, because individual needs and goals are different. What I can say from statistics is that the average length of therapy is 12 to 18 sessions. That means more people than not find they are satisfied with the changes they see in that time. However, many times people stay in therapy longer, making more profound changes in their lives. A longer stay in therapy does not mean you have a more serious problem. Therapy is a process that helps individuals keep growing.

Q. Are you experienced with my problem?

A. I am a generalist, which means I am trained and experienced in a wide variety of problems, many times each. When you call for information we can discuss what your own problem is. If your problem is beyond my training and experience, I will be more then happy to refer you to a matching therapist. Look around my website where you will find a lot of options to choose from to get help for a variety of problems. Generally, I treat depression, anxiety disorders, relationship conflicts, teen problems, behavioral problems, aggressiveness, impulsiveness, parenting issues, family issues, codependency, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, grief and loss for all ages.

Group Counseling

Q. Why do people join groups?

A. Most often, people join group because they are having some struggles with their relationships. Group is often the best place to get help with interpersonal concerns. If you have been referred to group it is because it is the most effective method for addressing your concerns. Here are some examples of the kinds of interpersonal issues that bring people to group:

• Loneliness or isolation
• Shyness
• Excessive dependence in relationships
• Superficial relationships
• Frequent arguments with people
• Discomfort in social situations
• Difficulty trusting others
• Being easily hurt or offended
• Needing a lot of reassurance from others
• Afraid of being left
• Lack of intimacy in relationships
• Obviously, many of us experience these concerns at one time or another, but if you experience one or more of these to the extent that they are causing significant pain or distress for you, group therapy may be a solution.

Q. How does group therapy work?

A. Group therapy is a unique experience where the therapists and group members work hard to make it a safe and confidential place to facilitate open communication and the sharing process. Members learn to care for,  accept each other and develop a level of trust that makes it possible for them to be honest and open in the group. Individuals who join group are expected to be committed to learning about themselves and their relationships, and often they find considerable support and encouragement in group therapy. The leaders and the other members can help the individual change unproductive patterns by giving feedback about how they perceive you and by offering alternative ways of interacting. Group can also be a safe place to try out or practice some of these new options with people who are caring and encouraging. Group also helps people see that they are not alone in their pain. Finally, members can get advice and guidance from each other. Even if it is difficult for you to interact in a group situation, you can still benefit from being in group because indirect learning is also a part of the group process.

Q. What does group look like?

A. Groups can be organized in many different ways. Some groups are geared toward a specific type of concern, for examples-  women’s group for eating disorders, for survivors of interpersonal trauma, or for gay and bisexual men. Other groups are more open and are called general therapy groups. Sometimes groups are organized in relation to time, for example- open-ended and may last for years and others can be time-limited and conclude after a certain number of weeks (6 and 18 weeks). Also, sometimes groups are organized according to the acceptance of membership at different time periods having open membership; while others have closed membership, meaning that once the group has started, no new members are added. Finally, some groups are considered unstructured while others are considered structured which refers to whether or not there are planned activities during the group. If there are no structured activities, the group itself is free to decide how it will focus its time. If you are considering group therapy, you can ask questions about how the group is organized.

School Based Counseling

Q. How do you help students?

A. As a psychotherapist, I help students achieve their best. I help children and youth succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. I have specialized training and know how to identify and lower barriers to learning. These barriers can include developmental or learning disabilities, behavior difficulties, school or classroom climate, problems at home or with friends, substance or alcohol abuse, violence, and mental health problems such as anxiety or depression. My goal is to collaborate with students, parents, school staff, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments so that all students can learn.  

Q. What have you done in the schools?

A. I’ve provided clinical services and restorative practice coaching services at the schools, community agencies or facilities. I’ve worked with students individually and in groups, as well as addressed school- and district-wide issues such as bullying prevention and positive behavioral supports. I have used many different approaches, but generally provided these core services:

• Prevention: Designed programs for children at risk of failing at school. Promote tolerance, understanding, and appreciation of diversity within the school community. Developed programs to make schools safer and more effective learning environments. Provided crisis prevention and preparedness information and training. Collaborated with school staff and community agencies to provide services directed at improving mental and physical health. Developed partnerships with parents and teachers to promote healthy school environments.
• Consultation: Collaborated with teachers, parents, and administrators to find effective solutions to learning and behavior problems. Helped others understand child development and mental health and how they affect learning and behavior. Strengthened working relationships between teachers, parents, and service providers in the community.
• Assessment: I’ve  assessed mental and behavioral health related needs of the identified students at the schools. I’ve also assessed students’ strengths, psycho-socio-emotional needs and resources available in their environment to help them achieve their goals. I strive to determine social-emotional development and mental health status and evaluate learning environments.
• Intervention: I’ve provided clinical counseling to help resolve interpersonal or family problems that interfere with school performance. I worked directly with children and their families to help resolve problems in adjustment and learning. Provide training in social skills and anger management. Helped families and schools manage crises such as death, illness, or community trauma.
• I’ve also provided Restorative Practice Coaching and trainings to staff and ongoing training to support students to build healthy relationships, better mutual understanding and a sense of community.
• Research and Planning: I have evaluated the effectiveness of academic and behavior management programs. Identified and suggested implementation of those programs and strategies to improve schools. Used evidence-based research to develop and/or recommended effective interventions

Insurance and Payment

Q. How should I pay? Will my insurance pay for this service?

A. This will be your choice how you would like to pay. If you choose to self pay, I have tried to make it manageable for you by making sliding feel scale available. Sliding fee scale allows you to pay in accordance with your family income.

• For more information please visit Fee and Insurance.