My perspective on mental wellness and therapy?

Here are five reasons why I recommend therapy to people: 1) Physical wellness cannot exist without mental wellness. I consider therapy to be a form of exercise for the brain; 2) Attending therapy is courageous and a direct reflection of how much you value your mental wellness and relationships; 3) Therapy is not about fixing the problem; it is about finding a path forward (therapist don’t aim to change the past); 4) therapy is not only for those in crisis. You can use it t to help restore meaning in your daily life, strengthen your relationships, and adopt new and constructive patterns; 5) Good mental health is not about experiencing 100% happiness and ignoring problems. It is about living and coping well despite problems.

Does therapy work?

The wide-ranging benefits of therapy are well documented and can impact peoples’ physical wellness, job performance, and relationships with loved ones.  Recent literature reviews show that an estimated 70% of couples who receive treatment together show improvement. Studies on the effectiveness of emotionally focused therapy (EFT) show that over 90% of couples who complete treatment report improvements in their relationship.

Can therapy help me?

The answer to this question depends on how much energy you put towards nurturing your mental wellness once you start therapy. Some hardships are easier to manage and shift away from than others. To meet your therapeutic goals, you must dedicate time and attention to yourself and your relationships both inside and outside of therapy.

What to expect when you first come in?

After our initial contact via telephone or email, the next step is to attend your first session (all sessions are currently held using the HIPAA compliant telehealth platform through Simple Practice). You can access this online platform and have therapy sessions with me on any computer, tablet, or phone with a camera. You’ll find it easy to set up and use. Instructions for how to log into your sessions will be provided at the onset of therapy.

  Paperwork must be completed before the start of the first session.  The first session consists of learning more about your reason for attending therapy and evaluating your psychological and emotional well-being.

How many therapy sessions?

I typically see clients once a week. The overall number of therapy sessions varies. Some stressors/crises take longer to work through than others.  Upon starting therapy, we will work with you to determine your goals and then check in with you periodically to assess and re-evaluate your needs, I also use different instruments to ensure that continuous gains are made.    

What is Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)?

Couples typically get together for emotional reasons, and they typically separate or divorce for emotional reasons.  The EFT approach is used to change the emotional dance focusing on understanding the patterns of the dance, the logic of the emotions, and using the emotions to bring about fundamental change.  EFT works on getting to the roots of the problem to create fundamental and long-lasting healing. EFT is the only couple and family approach that uses an empirically, systematic, validated theory of adult bonding as the basis for understanding and alleviating relationship problems. Research shows that EFT works very well and has lasting effects. If you’d like to increase your closeness, improve communication, and reduce conflicts, EFT can help your relationship.

What are the benefits of premarital therapy?

The effects of skill-based relationship education are well established. These programs yield increased skills sustained for at least the first few years of a committed relationship (i.e., 2-5 years).  In the course of participating in premarital therapy, couples should expect to review key communication skills, learn ways to manage conflict, manage change, and assess partner support. Further, it is not unusual for me to combine some elements of couple therapy and relationship education to tailor to each couple’s needs.  

Payment and Credit Card Authorization Policy?

Payment is due at the beginning of each session. I accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Apple Pay, and Android Pay. I accept cash in exact change. Flex cards or HSA cards are also accepted. I use SimplePractice, a therapy-designed software that allows me to bill your card on file at the end of each session.

Cancellation Policy?

If you miss your scheduled therapy appointment for any reason within less than 24 hours notice of your appointment, you will be required to pay the full cost of the missed session. Established clients may miss one scheduled appointment at no cost.