frequently asked questions

How can I get in touch with you?

The quickest and easiest way to reach me is by text message at (845)379-0331.

Are you working in person or via telehealth?

I offer both options. In the warmer months, we also have the option of meeting in my outdoor office. At this time, there is a decreasing number of therapists offering in person sessions. I would prefer to meet in person.

Do you have openings?

Yes but my availability often changes on weekly basis. I would like to know your preferences for scheduling. The easiest way to reach me is by text message. My cell phone number is (845)379-0331. We could set up a time for a phone consultation or schedule a session more easily. I don’t discuss private matters using text message but it’s great resource for immediate communication about availability. I will return your text within 24 hours.

How long do you typically see clients?

This is a very common question. I find that our work is most effective when we meet weekly without restrictions on the length of treatment. For this reason, I would prefer to work with people who have Cigna insurance or are comfortable making an investment in their mental health.

With this being said, I understand that many of us would prefer to resolve mental health concerns rather quickly.

I am particularly passionate about a short term and extremely effective protocol called Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART.)  I have witnessed truly astonishing results with this process, time and time again. You can find out more about the practice here: www.artworksnow.com

If we use ART, the results are usually rather immediate and many issues can be resolved in 3-6 sessions. If you are hoping to work together briefly, I typically recommend that we begin with a six week commitment. We can measure progress over that time and you will decide if your goals have been met or if you would like to meet for longer.

If you have never heard of ART, it works by locating and changing mental imagery and reducing or eliminating the physical sensations associated with upsetting thoughts or memories. I recommend viewing a very helpful and brief TedTalk on the process in the section titled “Accelerated Resolution Therapy.”

The TedTalk describes a very effective session with someone who is managing symptoms of PTSD but this tool can be used for many different symptoms or challenges. If you’re not sure how this could be helpful in your unique situation, I hope we can talk more. I’d love to answer your questions.

Do you accept insurance?

Yes, I'm considered an in-network provider with Cigna. If you are looking for a provider within a different network, I recommend using psychologytoday.com or visiting the directory of providers at www.artworksnow.com.

For all other insurance companies: you might have out-of-network mental health coverage. Your insurance company can help you understand the specific benefits in your plan. Out-of-network benefits reimburse somewhere between 50% and 80% of costs for sessions, typically after your deductible is met. I'll ask for session payments on the day of our meeting, and then the insurance reimbursement for covered sessions will be sent directly to you. My goal is to make this process as easy as possible for you.

If you want to understand more about out-of-network benefits, the first step is to contact your insurance company. They will want to know what service I am offering, 60 minutes of psychotherapy and the CPT Code, 90837. They might also want to know what type of license I have and you can explain that I am an LCAT (a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist.)

Working with insurance can be challenging. Insurance companies often limit what therapist you can see, how long you can see them for and the reasons that you can see them. Insurance companies require that I submit diagnostic codes to them, so your private mental health history is shared with them. Some people don't mind that, but some people prefer to keep their information completely private. Therapists that are contracted with insurance companies are bound by their rules. I want you to be able to make your own mental health choices. If you choose to see me, I want you to be able to decide when you want to see me and for how long. My out-of-network status with most plans puts you in the driver’s seat, not your insurance company.

How much do your sessions cost?

I charge $200.00 for a fifty-five minute session. For those who have concerns about cost, we can discuss sliding scale options from $125-$190. I also like to share more information about shorter-term treatment planning so that therapy doesn't feel like an indefinite investment in time and money. As I mentioned above, I often recommend a six week commitment at which point we can discuss when or if it feels helpful to continue to meet.

Do you have experience with somatic therapy?

Yes. I work with something I am very passionate about called Inner Relationship Focusing. You can learn more at: www.focusingresources.com. This method uses physical sensations and something called the “felt sense” to help you better understand your relationship with yourself. It is particularly effective in supporting recovery from childhood trauma.

How do I know if you are the right therapist for me?

The best way to learn if we’re a good fit is to schedule a session. If you would like to get to know me better before scheduling something, let’s talk by text and find a time to connect by phone. If you would like to get a sense of me, it might help to see a video of an art therapy project I did here for the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

What do art and horses have to do with therapy?

While horses and art seem relatively unrelated, they actually both serve as important containers in the kind of psychotherapy that I practice. My training and expertise are within a specific area of mental health treatment called experiential therapy. Experiential therapy allows for participants to engage in an experience together and verbally process this experience to help them gain insight about their behavior. There is significant research to support that experiential therapy is more effective at helping us understand ourselves and others than traditional talk therapy. Having new experiences allows us to build new neural pathways and create change more easily.

Do you have horses at your office?

I do not. I work with a local facility and would love to tell you more about this service.