FAQs

You don't have to be in crisis or even know exactly what’s wrong to benefit from therapy. Sometimes you just know that life feels harder than it should, you're tired of managing everything on your own, or you want to understand yourself and your patterns more deeply. Maybe you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck in your head, running on empty, or disconnected from the things that matter to you. Therapy is a space to slow down, understand what’s happening beneath the surface, and explore what you want to be different. You also don't have to know exactly what you need before you reach out. We can start with what's happening right now and figure out the rest together. And if you're still unsure, that's what the free consultation is for. There's no pressure to decide before we've had a chance to talk.

One of the best predictors of success in therapy is the vibe. Seriously! If you feel like your therapist gets you, respects you, and supports you, you’re way more likely to feel comfortable doing the work of therapy. That’s why I offer free consultations. It’s important that you have an opportunity to get a sense of who I am and how I work, so that you know whether I’m a good fit for you. If you choose not to move forward after we chat, there are no hard feelings! I can even suggest some other therapists who might be a better match. Want to see if we click? Send me a message to set up a free, no-pressure consultation call.

At its core, therapy is a conversation. It’s talking to someone who believes in your capacity to grow, who won’t judge you for your hardest moments. and who is genuinely invested in helping you move toward the life you want. Think of me as your steady companion, offering empathy, guidance, curiosity, and practical tools as we explore what’s happening and where you’d like to go next.Following your lead doesn’t mean I just sit back and listen. I’ll ask questions, offer new perspectives, and gently challenge assumptions when it might help you see yourself or your situation in a different way.Therapy doesn’t always feel comfortable, but you should always feel supported. You can bring the hard things here. My job is to create a space where you feel safe enough to say them out loud.

I specialize in supporting adults navigating anxiety, overwhelm, overthinking, perfectionism, stress, burnout, and life transitions. The approaches I use can be helpful for a wide range of concerns, but some situations may be better served by a different level or type of support. If your needs fall outside my scope of practice, I’ll be happy to help you connect with someone who may be a better fit.

I draw from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Narrative Therapy. Each offers a different way of understanding anxiety, perfectionism, burnout, and the patterns that can leave us feeling stuck.These approaches give us flexibility to tailor therapy to you rather than following a one-size-fits-all formula. And they share important common threads: viewing struggles from a non-pathologizing perspective, meaning that you aren't "broken" or something that needs to be fixed, and belief in the innate human capacity for growth.As we clarify your goals for therapy, we'll discover together which approaches and tools are most helpful for you. Learn more about these therapies and how they support calm, connection, and meaning in Our Approach.

I’ll ask you to share a bit about what brings you to therapy as part of your intake paperwork before we meet. This gives us a starting point to explore your unique context. We’ll dig into the felt and lived experiences that shape your current situation, and we’ll shine some light on your strengths and values to get a better idea of where you’d like to be and how you might like to get there. That’s a lot of ground to cover, which is why I typically schedule 90 minutes for our first appointment. (Don’t worry, if that’s a barrier, we can stick to the standard session length of 45 or 60 minutes.) Over the course of our first few sessions, we'll get clear on your goals for therapy and then develop a plan together using the approaches that fit you best.

Most of my sessions are offered via secure telehealth, allowing you to meet from the privacy and comfort of home or another private space. We’ll meet face-to-face on a secure, HIPAA-compliant video call. You can join our sessions from your phone, tablet, or computer. Online therapy makes it easier to fit therapy into your life without adding travel time and transportation barriers, and allows me to work with clients throughout North Carolina.

Yes! While most sessions are offered via secure telehealth, I also offer nature-based therapy for clients who feel drawn to doing some of their work outdoors. Depending on your goals and comfort level, sessions may include walk-and-talk therapy or mindfulness-based practices in a peaceful outdoor setting. We'll choose a location and format together, with attention to privacy, safety, accessibility, and what feels supportive for you. You don't need to be an experienced hiker, or "outdoorsy", or even build up a sweat. The natural environment is just another tool for our therapeutic work, equally impactful in movement or stillness. Learn more about nature-based therapy here.

My most up-to-date rates are listed on the Rates & Insurance page. Sliding scale rates range from $40-$70 per session.

Yes! I believe everyone should have access to therapy. That’s why I reserve 25% of my sessions for sliding scale clients. To make sure the process is fair and structured, I partner with a national nonprofit network called Open Path Collective. Through this network, I can offer reduced rates ranging between $40-$70 per session. If you meet Open Path's financial eligibility criteria, you can join with a one-time $65 lifetime membership fee to access these rates with me. Once you sign up for Open Path, just forward me your welcome email with your member ID to get started.I know the membership fee can feel like a lot, especially when finances are tight. This fee helps Open Path continue to provide a searchable directory of therapists who offer sliding scale rates. You'll be an Open Path member for life, so if you ever need to switch therapists down the line, you'll continue to have access to the full nationwide network. Send me a message if you have any questions about the Open Path process. If you'd like, we can set up a free consultation call to see if we're a good fit before you decide to join.

I’m currently in-network with the following plans: Aetna: Commercial plans (PPO, EPO, HMO, Managed Choice, and EAP), Medicare HMO and PPO, First Health PPO Network, and North Carolina’s State Employee Health Plan.Blue Cross NC: PPOs (Blue Options, Blue Advantage), Blue Value (POS), Blue Care (HMO), and Classic Blue. You can check your coverage by asking your insurer the following questions:Do I have mental health benefits?What is my deductible, and has it been met?How many sessions per year does my health insurance cover?What is my cost/copay per therapy session?Is prior authorization needed from my insurance company before therapy starts?I know insurance can be confusing. Before our first session, we’ll work together to confirm whether I’m in network with your specific plan. We’ll review your plan benefits, expected costs, and payment options so you can make an informed decision about what feels manageable for you.If I'm out of network with your plan, you may still have out-of-network benefits that reimburse a portion of your therapy costs. I'll provide you with a detailed monthly superbill that you can submit to your insurance company. Because every plan is different, your insurance company is the best source for confirming your specific coverage. You can download a list of questions to ask your insurer on the Rates & Insurance page.

You may still be able to use your insurance even if I’m out of network. If your plan includes out-of-network benefits, you may be eligible for reimbursement for a portion of your therapy costs after meeting your deductible. Reimbursement varies by plan, so I recommend confirming your specific benefits with your insurance company before beginning therapy. Check out the Rates & Insurance page for a downloadable list of questions to ask your insurer.If your insurance includes out-of-network benefits, I’ll provide you with a detailed monthly statement (“superbill”) to submit for reimbursement or to be put toward your deductible.

Call the member services or behavioral health number on the back of your insurance card and ask the following questions to find out if out-of-network mental health care is covered and how much you will get back. If you prefer to check online first, you can often find these answers in your plan's online portal or official benefit booklet under “Summary of Benefits”. If you call, get a reference number: Write down the date, time, name of the customer service representative, and a call reference or tracking number for the conversation.Questions to Ask1. General Coverage & Plan TypeDo I have out-of-network benefits for outpatient mental health services? (PPO and some POS plans usually have them, while HMO and EPO plans typically do not.)Do I need a referral from a primary care physician or an in-network provider to see someone out-of-network?Is pre-authorization or prior approval required for out-of-network mental health care?Is there a yearly limit on the number of sessions covered?2. Deductibles & Out-of-Pocket LimitsWhat is my out-of-network deductible for outpatient mental health visits? (Your deductible is the amount you must pay out-of-pocket before insurance starts paying.)How much of my out-of-network deductible have I already met this calendar year? What is my out-of-network maximum out-of-pocket limit?3. Reimbursement Rates & "Allowed Amounts"What is the “allowed amount” or “usual and customary fee” for the following CPT codes? 90791 for an initial intake/evaluation90834 for a 45-minute individual therapy session90837 for a 60-minute individual therapy session For quick reference, here are my fees per session for the CPT codes above:$195 for an initial intake/evaluation (CPT code 90791)$135 for a 45-minute individual therapy session (CPT code 90834)$150 for a 60-minute individual therapy session (CPT code 90837) What percentage of the “allowed amount” does my plan reimburse after my deductible is met? (This is your coinsurance rate, e.g., 50% or 70%.) How is the reimbursement calculated? (Clarify whether they pay a percentage of the actual billed fee or a percentage of the lower, insurer-determined “allowed amount”.)4. Filing Claims & PaperworkHow do I submit an out-of-network claim? (Ask if you mail a form, upload it through an online portal, or use an app.)What forms or documents do I need? (Confirm if they accept a standard “superbill”, which is an itemized receipt with diagnostic and service codes that I can provide you.)What is the filing deadline for submitting out-of-network claims after a session?How long does reimbursement usually take once a claim is submitted?You can find a downloadable PDF version of these questions on the Rates & Insurance page. Need more support? Send me a message, I’m here to help.

I’m not currently accepting new clients, but I anticipate having some availability in early 2027. If you’re interested in working together, you’re welcome to reach out and I can let you know when I have openings.

Starting therapy can feel like an uphill battle, especially when you're already overwhelmed. The first step is to get in touch through my contact form. I’m committed to responding quickly: you can expect to hear from me within 1-2 business days of your message.

Most clients begin with weekly sessions, which gives us enough consistency to build momentum, get to know each other, and make progress toward your goals. As your needs change, we can adjust the frequency together. Some people eventually move to biweekly sessions or meet less frequently as part of a planned transition or maintenance phase after making meaningful progress.Because therapy benefits from consistency and continuity, meeting monthly or only occasionally from the outset may limit our ability to build on previous sessions and make meaningful therapeutic progress. While periodic check-ins can offer support and perspective, they may not provide the same benefit as ongoing psychotherapy. We'll talk together about what makes the most sense for your needs and goals.

I know life happens and plans sometimes change. If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, please provide at least 24 hours’ notice whenever possible. Appointments canceled or rescheduled with less than 24 hours’ notice, as well as missed appointments, are subject to a $75 late cancellation/no-show fee for self-pay and insurance clients and a $40 fee for sliding-scale clients.

There's no one-size-fits-all answer. Some people come to therapy with a specific concern and feel ready to move forward after several months, while others benefit from longer-term support as they work through deeper patterns or life transitions. We'll check in about your goals and progress regularly so that therapy continues to feel purposeful and useful. I'm here to support you for as long as it is genuinely helpful.

That's okay. You don't need to arrive with a perfectly defined problem or know exactly what you want to change. Sometimes you just know that something doesn't feel right: you're overwhelmed, stuck in your head, running on empty, or feeling disconnected from yourself. We'll start there and make sense of it together. Part of our work is figuring out what you need and where you'd like to go next.

I'll never take it personally. Therapy works best when you feel comfortable with and understood by your therapist, and sometimes another therapist will be a better match. If I don't think I'm the best person to support you, I'll be honest about that and I’ll do my best to help connect you with other resources or therapists who may fit you better.