Frequently Asked Questions
Ups and downs are a natural part of life. However, when feeling down, angry, or anxious becomes the norm, this could be an indication that something needs more attention. Psychotherapy is one way of exploring and giving expression to all the parts of your life.
Zen koan meditation is a spiritual practice that dates back hundreds of years. It’s a way of discovering the freedom that’s available in even the most difficult or confusing parts of your life.
That being said, you don’t have to have a specific problem in order to benefit from therapy or Zen koans. Both can be profound vehicles for growth and transformation even if everything in your life is going well.
If you’re unsure about whether therapy might be right for you, don’t hesitate to schedule a free 20-minute consultation.
Our first session is typically 60 – 75 minutes long and involves an assessment to identify what (if anything) is troubling you, what you would like to work on, and some basic background information about you and your life.
Subsequent sessions are typically 55 minutes long and involve a combination of conversation and experiential exercises. We will explore your dreams, engage in awareness exercises, and find ways of giving voice to areas of your inner life that might need attention.
Schedule a free 20-minute consultation if you’d like to see if we’d be a good fit to work together.
This depends on what kind of work you want to do and whether or not you’ll be using insurance. Psychotherapy is covered to some degree by most major insurance companies, while Zen koan/meditation work and spiritual counseling are not.
I’m in-network with several insurance companies in Texas and Washington, including Aetna, Optum, and United Healthcare. For the most up-to-date list of insurances I currently accept, please visit my profile on PsychologyToday. For those paying out of pocket, I charge according to an income-based sliding scale ($120 – $150 per session).
I’ll be happy to discuss the financial aspects of the work in a free 20-minute consultation.
Many people choose to pay for therapy services out-of-pocket even when they could be using their insurance. Here are a few reasons why.
There are no one-size-fits-all answers in therapy. Some people come in for just a few sessions to work through a rough patch, while others might come for months or years to heal long-standing wounds, and others see it as an ongoing practice for promoting personal growth and discovery. Typically, I suggest people come in for one session once a week to start, but some people benefit from more or less frequent sessions. Ultimately, how long and how often you engage in therapy is up to you, but I’m happy to provide a recommendation based on my initial impression.
A free 20-minute consultation is a good place to start the conversation about what you might want to work on.
I don’t expect anyone to feel comfortable telling their entire life story to a person they’ve never met, but my hope is that you will find me a trustworthy person to share your difficult thoughts and feelings with. Being as honest as possible with yourself and with me is helpful, as is being open to new ways of looking at things. There will inevitably be times when I ask you to look at parts of your life you would prefer to ignore, so at times courage will be needed. I ask everyone I work with to keep a dream journal and I might recommend that you practice meditation or some other awareness practice between sessions. Overall, keep in mind that everything we do together is in the service of discovery and growth.
Schedule a free 20-minute consultation to see if we might be a good fit to work together.
I’m bound to confidentiality by my license and my personal and professional codes of ethics. However, there are some very specific exceptions to this, for example when billing insurance or if my clinical judgment indicates that someone is in immediate danger. My goal is to provide a safe space where you feel comfortable exploring your most difficult thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment or negative consequences.
If you have any concerns about confidentiality, I’d be happy to discuss them with you in a free 20-minute consultation.
I conduct all sessions online via the video conferencing app Zoom. Zoom is fully HIPAA-compliant, confidential and encrypted, and can be used on any device that has a camera and microphone (e.g. tablet, smartphone, computer, etc.). This enables me to meet with people who live anywhere in Texas, Washington state, and the world!
P. S. I’ve found that teletherapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy, as have many others. Here are a couple of things to read about it, if interested:
Psychology Today: Can’t See Your Therapist Because of Covid-19?
Psychiatric medications can be an essential part of treatment in some cases. As a licensed clinical social worker, I am not trained or licensed to prescribe medications. However, if you are an established client I would be happy to consult with your primary care physician about medication options or refer you to a psychiatrist to see if medications are right for you. I am also happy to explore any questions or concerns my established clients have about psychiatric medications.
The first step is scheduling a free Zoom consultation, which usually lasts 15 – 20 minutes. This conversation is an opportunity to work out some initial details and see if we would be a good fit to work together. If we both decide to proceed, we can move on to setting up your first appointment.
Click here to open my appointment request portal.
I am happy to consider filling out FMLA or short-term disability paperwork for established clients on a case-by-case basis. However, I typically suggest you consult your physician for this.
It’s often the case that other people recognize we need help before we do. I’ve found that people don’t seek help, and certainly don’t make changes, until they feel ready to do so for their own reasons. Let your loved one know that you support them and are ready to help in any way you can if and when they become ready. Supporting someone who is experiencing symptoms of mental illness or substance abuse can be extremely stressful, so you might consider seeking counseling for yourself as well.
Other options for family members include attending one of the free programs offered by the San Antonio chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), like their Family Education classes and Family Support groups (for mental illness), or attending a free meeting of Al-Anon (for alcohol) or Nar-Anon (for drugs).
Note: If you feel that your loved one poses an immediate threat to their own safety or the safety of others, do not hesitate to call 911 or take them to the nearest emergency room. They will be evaluated by a licensed mental health professional and connected with the appropriate services.