Got questions? This is a place where you can find answers to some of the most common (and sometimes uncommon) questions you may have about working with me and about counseling in general.
My style is to be open and transparent about who I am, and what my skills are, because it can feel overwhelming trying to get a sense for who will be a good fit for you, your teen, or someone you love when looking for a therapist.
Q&A
Q: What is private practice?
A: Private practice means I am providing counseling services to individuals and couples in my own business setting instead of through an agency or other group practice owned by someone else.
It also means that I have the highest level of licensure afforded by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners (AZBBHE) which is the organization that is responsible for licensing all licensed counselors in the state.
Q: What made you choose counseling as a career? Do you have any other career experience?
A: I chose to be a counselor because I believe in being a human that helps other humans. I have always been drawn to psychology, neuroscience, research, and positive change and counseling allows me to dive into all these things while helping others along the way which is pretty amazing! When I went to college for my bachelor’s degree, I chose psychology as my major without ever having taken a course in psychology. I always thought that was me just being young and random, but I LOVED my studies and now I think I instinctively knew it would be a good choice for me.
After I graduated with my bachelor’s degree, I ended up getting married and becoming a stepmom. Graduating from college and becoming a parent at age 22, I learned a lot through the greatest teacher of all: Life! My corporate careers spanned the gamut from commercial insurance and marketing, to writing and education. When I decided to go back to school for my Master’s degree, counseling was an obvious and easy choice. I wanted to continue my understanding human behavior, the mind, and techniques to help others professionally.
I earned my Master’s degree while I worked full-time and had 3 kiddos at home. I now have several years’ experience working with a wide range of clients within agency settings and I am starting a private practice to be able to provide counseling services within my own community and to work more closely with individuals that fall within my areas of specialty.
Q: Why should I choose you as a counselor?
A: As with most healthcare providers, you ultimately have to choose what feels like the right “fit” for you! Your decision involves many factors and I hope that through your research, you feel I would be a good “fit” for you 😊.
Interestingly, research shows that the therapeutic relationship, or in other words, a good connection and relationship with your therapist is the biggest predictor of successful outcomes for clients in therapy. Here’s a study which discusses this dynamic http://bit.ly/2K3NBc4.
This means that while certain counseling techniques or interventions may be very effective in treating specific conditions, the therapeutic relationship is crucial and should be a big consideration in choosing a therapist.
That being said, I have compiled a list of specific personal and professional reasons why I would suggest you choose me for therapy (sorted by general area of concern).
EDUCATION, LICENSURE, & EXTRAS
Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Arizona State University (minor in Spanish)
Treasurer and then President of the National Honor Society in Psychology at ASU in my junior and senior years, respectively
Graduated Magna Cum Laude
Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Argosy University
4.0 GPA
Licensed Professional Counselor through Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners
Accepted into and completed the Leadership Academy at Jewish Family & Children’s Service (local behavioral health agency and integrated health provider)
Member of the Arizona Counselors Association
Gottman marriage counseling – Level 1 trained
PARENTING / BLENDED FAMILIES / STEPPARENTING / COPARENTING
18 years as a stepmom / coparent / blended family
13 years as a parent of biological children
6+ years of blending families after divorce and balancing shared custody
Managing a household with 2 adults and 4 kids ranging in age from 11-14, with shared custody, 4 sports, a full-time job, and a part-time small business
Helping children through grief after losing a loved one
Helping children self-manage anxiety and depressive symptoms
Navigating the world of adolescents and technology
ANXIETY/PANIC
Extensive experience working with anxiety disorders, and panic
Training in grounding techniques, and guided relaxation/meditation
Use of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Training in mindfulness
ADOLESCENTS/TEENS
Mom and stepmom to 4 tweens/teens
Keen interest in staying current on research about teen issues
Passionate about addressing mental health among youth to decrease rate of suicide in young people
Understand challenges with teens, technology and effects on mental health
Fierce advocate for our teens and adolescents
SELF DEVELOPMENT
Skilled at helping individuals identify and set personal and professional goals
Help to create a solid action plan based on psychological principles to increase success
Provide consistent support and encouragement
Assist with exploring options for career changes, lifestyle changes, etc
Personal experience with goal setting, plan implementation, motivational tools, and overcoming obstacles
OLDER ADULTS
3+ years experience working directly with older adults in an in-home setting
Compassion and understanding of chronic health concerns and impact on clients and families/support system
Assistance with end-of-life planning, including discussion about Living Wills, Medical Power of Attorneys, Care Facilities
Able to listen and work on goals that are important to the client
Q: Which insurance plans to you accept?
A: I am currently in-network with most Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. I am in process with Aetna but am considered out-of-network for now. I will update the website when I am in-network! I also do private pay and provide counseling to individuals in the community who need help now, who may not have insurance, and who may have a different insurance from the ones I accept.
Your insurance company may reimburse you for some of the cost of counseling, depending on the terms of your insurance plan. Many clients submit a “superbill” to their insurance company which is like a detailed receipt of the services provided that includes all the information needed to generate an insurance claim. If you choose to submit a superbill, essentially you are submitting your own claim to your insurance company and they may then reimburse you some of what you paid. I suggest calling your insurance to inquire about this option. Here is a good article which explains what a superbill is http://bit.ly/2rvRqkd.
Q: Why is your availability limited to Sundays and some afternoon/evenings?
A: I currently work full-time as a counselor in an agency setting and I plan to build up my private practice and eventually transition to offering counseling services full-time in private practice. As I grow, my availability will expand.
Q: Do you see people with mental health concerns outside of what you have listed as your specialties?
A: Yes! However, it depends on the issue. I have worked with a wide variety of general mental health concerns outside of what’s listed as a specialty (e.g. trauma, alcohol abuse, substance abuse, domestic violence, depression, bipolar, borderline personality disorder, adjustment disorder, life skills, mandated group therapy, and more). If you have an issue that falls outside of the scope of my practice, I can refer you to another provider who may be more suited to help you.
Q: How often are therapy sessions scheduled?
A: Therapy sessions are scheduled based on how severe an issue is for someone, overall cost of therapy, as well as schedule availability. Typically, clients have 1-4 sessions per month.