FAQs

Questions About Therapy

  • Deciding to try therapy and finding a good therapist-client match can be difficult. You have already taken the first step!

    I offer a free 15 minute consultation for you to get a better feel for working with me.

    If you are interested in starting treatment, we will schedule an intake appointment, which typically lasts about 60 to 75 minutes. This will allow us to get to know each other, establish expectations for therapy, and create a treatment plan.

    Interested? Read more below then contact me to get started!

  • Our first session will be an intake, which will be more structured than typical sessions. Intake allows for us to get to know each other, complete paperwork, address any questions you may have about the therapeutic process, and set goals for your treatment together.

    In all following sessions, we will either use your established treatment goals to work on long-term goals or address your immediate day-to-day concerns, connecting them to your short- and long-term goals. The rhythm of sessions can vary depending on your needs that day.

  • The approaches I draw from include, but are not limited to, CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), DBT (dialectical behavior therapy), psychodynamic, mindfulness, client-centered, strengths-based, motivational interviewing, Somatic Experiencing®, and family systems theory.

  • I am able to work with you no matter your needs, but I have particular training and experience in the following areas:

    -LGBTQ+ care

    -Trauma-informed care

    -Substance use disorders

    -Neurodivergence

    -Somatic Experiencing®

  • Depending on your needs, we may be working together for a few months to address a short-term goal, or we may be working together longer to address longer-term goals. We may cycle through multiple short or long-term goals, and you may even take a break and return to treatment when life circumstances change or personal goals shift. Overall, I encourage self-determination, assessing when you’ve gotten what you need. I believe treatment does not need to be a permanent fixture in your life, but rather a support that helps you to create internal supports that you can access between sessions and after treatment.

  • Yes.

    If you decide to work with me, you will receive a detailed confidentiality policy as part of your intake paperwork.

  • I am not licensed to prescribe any medications. I am able to offer referral ideas for a psychiatric prescriber.

  • Yes.

    At the moment, I am unable to write letters for non-active clients. But please check back in the future, as that may change.

    If you are an active client, I can write a letter for you. We can use session time for me to collect any additional information I may need, and I will complete the letter at no additional charge outside of the session. I typically need at least 2 weeks notice from when you need a completed letter.

  • If you are experiencing an emergency that is posing a risk of harm to you or others, please seek out immediate help, either by calling 911, contacting your local mental health crisis mobile team (in DC, contact the Access HelpLine at 1(888)7WE-HELP), or contacting the National Suicide Prevention Hotline (800-273-8255).

    Whether you’re an active client or wish to become one, I can be involved in any coordinated care following a crisis. We can integrate crisis prevention into your long-term treatment goals.

 

Questions About Logistics

  • Due to the flexibility of telehealth, my hours and days currently have some leeway. Mostly I see folks on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Friday, with sessions as early as 8am or as late as 7pm, depending on the day. Most sessions start on the hour, but I have flexibility with this as well.

  • After our intake session, I will have a better idea on your treatment needs, and can then make a recommendation on session frequency. Many clients meet once a week but some work with me twice a week or every two weeks.

  • After our initial intake session (about 60 minutes), each session lasts about 50 minutes.

  • I can meet clients either through telemedicine or in person in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of DC.

  • I am licensed in DC and Virginia.

    To see my education history, license numbers, and other certifications, check out my About Me page.

  • You can cancel or reschedule an appointment without fees until 48 hours before the appointment time.

    If you cancel with less notice, you will be charged a $50 cancellation fee.

    If you miss an appointment (which includes giving less than 10 minutes notice that you will not be attending), you will be charged a $100 no-show fee.

    If you reschedule and make up a canceled or missed appointment within four business days, these fees will be reduced by half.

 

Questions About Payment

  • I am credentialed as an in-network provider for Carefirst Blue Cross Blue Shield. When we do your intake session, I will collect your insurance information. After each session, you will be responsible for paying your co-pay using a card I will keep on file or a cash payment.

    If you have another insurance plan, I am an out-of-network provider. You are responsible for paying the full cost of the session at the time of service using a card kept on file or a cash payment. If you are able to get an out-of-network benefit, I will provide you a superbill which you can submit to your insurance. They may reimburse you for part of the cost of your session, depending on your plan.

    If you do not have insurance that covers mental health services, you are responsible for paying the full cost of the session at the time of service, using a card on file or a cash payment.

  • 50 minute individual therapy session: $175

    60 minute initial intake session: $225

    Fees are due at the time of service through a credit card on file, Venmo, or Zelle unless a payment plan has been established.

    Do you have cost concerns?

    I believe that everyone should have access to mental health treatment. If you have concerns, please reach out. We can work together to find options that work for you.

  • You can pay through Zelle, Venmo, or a credit card.

  • I am unable to provide a sliding scale at this time. If you have cost concerns, please reach out.

 

Have a question that’s not answered here?

Please contact me.