DISCOVERY

There are many reasons why people seek support through counseling services. Maybe you are feeling depressed after a recent move, relationship loss or employment change. Maybe it's feeling overwhelmed or stifled as the parent of young children, juggling work or staying at home. Maybe you are struggling to connect with a spouse or partner. Maybe past memories or hurts are resurfacing often. Maybe it's struggling to find motivation or feeling anxious when you leave your house.

Whatever the reason behind seeking counseling, support is right around the corner. By engaging the therapeutic process, people often gain clarity, purpose and forward-momentum in their lives. Identifying individual patterns and triggers provides greater personal insight. Most importantly, clients learn important life skills to maneuver through life's challenges with resiliency. As such, clients learn to take greater responsibility for themselves.

When it comes to the lenght of therapeutic treatment, appointments are initially scheduled weekly. Clients that enter the maintenance stage of counseling may later move to biweekly or monthly appointments.

Sessions typically last 50 minutes.

The estate of Virginia legally protects the confidentiality of all communications between counselors and their clients. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client.

However, there are some exceptions to confidentiality designed with safety parameters in mind. Exceptions include the following:

• Any suspected child, dependent adult or elder abuse. As mandated reporters, counselors are legally required to report any suspicions to the appropriate authorities immediately.

• If a client threatens serious physical harm to another person. ___counselors are required by law to notify the police.

• If a client discloses an intent to harm or kill themselves. During these circumstances, counselors must make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if the individual does not cooperate or their mental health status requires additional supports, counselors are ethically and legally required to take additional measures that ensure client safety.

We begin with the intake appointment. This initial session is where I make diagnostic assessments, take a more detailed patient history and discuss your goals for therapy. I encourage you to bring questions and take an active part in the process--I love psycho-education and want to empower you to start advocating for yourself from the start. It is up to you to determine if you can us developing a solid therapeutic relationship. I will also be assessing whether my training and experience make me a good fit for your clinical needs at this time.

When we decide to work together, you commit to working towards your personal growth and development. You commit to bravely looking inside of yourself to take greater and greater degrees of personal responsibility. I commit to bringing my professional expertise, my support, and my compassion. I also commit to challenging you to keep growing and reflecting back any stuck points, if needed.

Counseling provides long-lasting skills that increase emotional intelligence and life satisfaction--and it requires your active participation! I will remind you of that but, frankly, if I'm the right counselor for you, you won't need much reminding.

At this time, I work with most insurance carriers in the state of Virginia. To determine the extent of your mental health coverage, please personally contact your insurance company.

If for personal reasons, you chose not to use your insurance or are out of network, I can provide monthly super bills for you to submit for reimbursement.

My regular office hours are Monday-Friday from 8 am-4 pm.

Currently I have limited availability on Wednesday & Thursday. Please inquire about specific appointment openings or to be added to my wait-list. Referrals are also available.