about therapy

Therapy is for everyone. No issue is too small or too big to bring into therapy. The best part? All you have to do is show up and talk. Just talk—about what’s bothering you, about changing a situation, about moving forward from difficult circumstances—about anything. The first step is simply walking through the door and starting the conversation.

From there, two key things will make the biggest difference in your therapy experience. The people who see the most growth are those who commit to purposeful effort in creating change and those who embrace a support system within the therapy space. This approach is called Relational Therapy, and it’s my specialty at better together therapy. You’re not meant to do this alone. True healing happens with the support of your "village." So, bring in a family member, a friend, or someone from your community, and let’s get started—together.

Couple Therapy

Move towards Each Other

As human beings, we crave connection and attachment to those who matter most. When these relationships face conflict, it can lead to emotional tension, communication struggles, intimacy issues, and more. In today’s “happily-ever-after” culture, we’re rarely taught how to navigate these challenges, leaving many couples to struggle in silence. That’s where therapy comes in. Sometimes, we all need a little help to get through the tough times.

As a relational therapist, I have specialized training in the unique challenges that come with being deeply connected to another person. My role is not to take sides but to help both partners recognize their role in the relationship’s struggles—and in its healing. Both partners participated in getting the relationship to the point of struggle and both will need to work purposefully and diligently to repair it.

Together, we’ll explore what’s working in your relationship, identify areas for growth, and create a vision for the future you both want. My goal is to guide you toward reconnection, understanding, and a stronger, healthier partnership that benefits you both.

Couples Intensives

Advanced Work for the Best Results

Standard 50 minute sessions are like trying to read a book, but only getting through a few pages every other week. Sure, you’ll make progress eventually, but by the time you pick it back up, you might’ve forgotten where you left off. These sessions can feel like a warm-up, just when we’re starting to dig into something important, 'time’s up!' While single sessions do help build the habit of working on your relationship, they’re often too short to create real breakthroughs. That’s why I frequently recommend longer sessions—to stop rereading the same chapter over and over and actually make real progress.

Intensives are longer and more immersive, they focus on making significant progress quickly so you don’t have to keep coming to therapy indefinitely due to slow, incremental changes. With extended sessions, we can make faster progress and achieve deeper results without me sending you away just as you’ve shared something really meaningful. This approach is more challenging and requires strong motivation and courage to face hard topics, uncomfortable truths, and raw emotions, both about your relationship and within yourselves. Not every couple is ready for this level of commitment and effort. It’s like pursuing a PhD in your relationship; it’s advanced, it’s demanding, and it delivers results that outpace traditional approaches.

We'll all be immersing ourselves in the work, I’ll be right there with you, guiding you through new strategies in real time. No more leaving a session with vague ideas to fumble through alone; you’ll practice with me present, helping you get the techniques right. I’ll keep us focused, cutting through distractions to zero in on what truly matters for progress and change. Most importantly, I’ll provide emotional support, creating a compassionate space where both partners can feel heard and honored, speaking with kindness, respect, and support.

If it feels like we’re not progressing in regular sessions, or if you’re serious about making real change now rather than over the course of months, intensives are the way to go. Some couples are ready to dive in, while others need time to warm up to the idea—but in the end, the deeper, more focused study is what leads to real mastery and lasting change.

Premarital Counseling

Embrace a New Experience

For those who have never been married:
Marriage is a completely new experience, even if you’ve lived together for years. Unlike other major life events, no one hands you a manual on how to make it work. If you’re looking for guidance, premarital counseling can help you navigate important topics like finances, living arrangements, in-laws, children, communication, intimacy, and maintaining your personal identity within the relationship.

For those who have been married before:
If your previous marriage didn’t unfold the way you had hoped, this is an opportunity to break old patterns and build a healthier foundation for your new relationship. We’ll focus on clear communication, aligning expectations, and addressing key topics like finances, living space, in-laws, intimacy, and personal identity. If children from a previous relationship are involved, we’ll also create strategies for blending families successfully.

Premarital counseling is often more casual and focuses on practical, surface-level needs that help set the stage for a successful marriage. If you’re facing deeper challenges or unresolved issues that require more comprehensive work, Couples Therapy may be the better option.

Individual Therapy

Create your preferred lifestyle

You’re probably coming to therapy because you’re seeking change—something in your life isn’t working the way you’d like. These struggles are part of the human experience, and difficult emotions are a natural, even necessary, part of a well-lived life.

Some people are taught how to navigate challenges, while others haven’t had the opportunity to learn those skills. The ability to work through tough times and manage emotions isn’t innate—it’s something that can be developed.

Together, we’ll explore your concerns and create new strategies for your future. No topic is off-limits—no matter how difficult, uncomfortable, or taboo. This is a judgment-free space, where we’ll work side by side to uncover what you truly want for yourself and your future.

FAQs

Therapy FAQs

Who do you see in therapy?

I see only clients over the age of 18. I specialize in romantic relationships and everything involved in them. I see individuals, families, friends, coworkers, couples, and other romantic relationships. In some family situations I will bring children into the session, and often require a separate child therapist to be present in the session with us.

How can I expect to pay for therapy?

I am not currently boarded with any insurance companies; I cannot accept insurance. Sometimes, you can submit our sessions for reimbursement, this varies between companies and policies. I do not have this information, you will have to contact your insurance carrier on your own. Additionally, I may not ever board with insurance companies because they place unreasonable restrictions on the way therapy is practiced and on the things they will pay for. I’m going to do what I need in order to provide you the best and most ethical care, regardless of bureaucratic flaming hoops.

I do not currently offer special discounts or a sliding scale for session fees, nor do I currently have openings for reduced fee clients. I set my fees to be very competitive in our local market and to cover my operating costs. If finances hinder your ability to attend session, we will work together to make any possible adjustments for you to get good therapeutic care.

Couple work can be Single Sessions (50 minutes) or Intensives (150 minutes or 300 minutes with lunch break) and individual work is done in Single Sessions (50 minutes). All clients will have an Introductory/Assessment session (50 minutes) to determine the goals and structure of future sessions. I do not typically offer “consultations,” though I am happy to answer any general questions through email.

I accept cash and credit/debit card payments. I do not accept web-based digital payments like automatic bank drafts or PayPal/Venmo. I do not accept third-party payments. If your employer or a friend/family member is covering your therapy costs, you will need to pay me directly and have them either prepay or reimburse you separately.

How often do people go to therapy?

However often they want. If you want to pay me to have 5-hour sessions Monday through Friday, I’ll let you! That would be too much, but generally speaking I can be fairly flexible about working out the schedule. A single session (50 minutes) once per week is the most common time-frame for therapy appointments. I also see clients for double sessions every other week or once per month. I have some clients that drive from farther away and have longer sessions less often. I have clients that need to space out sessions for financial reasons. If you have a concern about attending sessions, I’m sure we can find a way to work it out. I really can be quite flexible. The only things I’m strict about are: arrive early to session so we can start on time, give at least 24 hours’ notice for canceled or rescheduled appointments, and pay me. That’s it. Other than that, we can probably find a way to work something out.

How do I ask off work for therapy?

While some therapists offer evening or weekend hours, those slots are in high demand and may not always be available. Therapists are people too—we value work-life balance, just like you! That means most of us work a typical “9-to-5” schedule, which can conflict with traditional work hours. It can feel difficult or even uncomfortable to ask for regular time off for therapy, but remember—your mental health and relationships are just as important as your job.

Know Your Rights & Workplace Benefits

Many employers recognize the importance of mental health and offer benefits that may help. Therapy appointments may be covered under:

Sick leave or personal time
Flexible scheduling options
Workplace accommodations (such as ADA protections, in some cases)

Check your company’s policies or speak with HR to understand your options.

Exploring Flexible Scheduling Options

Some workplaces allow you to adjust your schedule without losing pay or dipping into PTO. Others may require more planning, but many supervisors are more accommodating than people assume. Consider:

Arriving early or staying late to make up time
Taking an extended lunch break
Scheduling longer but less frequent sessions (e.g., a two-hour session every other week)

How to Talk to Your Employer

You may also wonder how much personal information to disclose. You do not have to explain that your time off is for therapy. You can keep it simple:

“I have a recurring medical appointment.”
“I need a standing appointment at this time.”

Doctors’ offices are generally only open during business hours, and therapy is no different. However, if you feel comfortable, being open about therapy can help normalize mental health care in the workplace. Your transparency might even encourage someone else to seek support.

Framing Therapy as a Long-Term Benefit

Therapy helps you manage stress, improve focus, and be more productive. If needed, remind your employer that prioritizing mental health leads to better performance and overall well-being.

Go in with a Plan

Your best strategy is to come prepared with solutions. Before talking to your supervisor, consider how you can maintain productivity while attending therapy. If you demonstrate that you’ve thought through both your needs and the company’s needs, most employers will be willing to accommodate you.

You might be surprised at how supportive your workplace can be—maybe even your boss is in therapy! Rehearse your request, jot down key points, and, if needed, ask a friend or therapist for guidance. You deserve this time for yourself.

Who is therapy for?

Therapy is for everyone! Always! I have some clients that come for general life functioning like communication skills or career coaching. I have some clients working on deep traumatic events. Some come because of infidelity or abuse. Others are doing really well and want to be doing even better. There are no bad reasons for therapy and there are no issues too big or too small. If you’re looking for help on any question or concern in your life, I’m here for you. We can have just a few sessions to get you through a specific and short-term dilemma or as many as you want to keep working on new or complicated issues. Whatever is going to move you down the path you want to be on, I’m here for it.

What about therapy or counseling stigma?

First of all, if anybody gives you a hard time for wanting help, therapy would probably be good for them. Second, a lot of the work in therapy is breaking through social/cultural/familial restrictions and expectations that are hindering your life and your relationships. If you are worried about what it means that you are in therapy, let’s talk about it and remove those barriers so you can be authentic and powerful in yourself.

Do I have to tell you everything?

The only way therapy actually works is if you are open and honest about what you feel, think, believe, and do. If you hide or ignore things, we may be missing a vital part of the equation and going in an unhelpful direction. Therapy can be hard. Being vulnerable and authentic can be hard. Sometimes we don’t even want to admit to ourselves, much less someone else, that we are having trouble or contributing to the problem. I guarantee you that my office will be a place you can say anything and still be valued and respected and understood.

Can I tell you anything?

Nothing you can say will make me angry or embarrassed or not want to work with you anymore.

While it’s not possible for me to have “heard it all” because human beings are endlessly creative, I truly live by the axiom that you can do whatever you want as long as you don’t hurt yourself or somebody else. I have yet to be surprised by anything anyone anywhere has ever said to me, much less in a therapy session. Go be you, go forth and conquer.

Additionally, I don’t have an embarrassment gene. I have never (really, never) been embarrassed by anything that ever happened to me or was said to me. I talk about sex and bodily functions all day long, and I strongly and loudly advocate for everyone else to do the same.

Finally, I work for you, if something I am doing is confusing or upsetting, please don’t hesitate to bring it up. I have had clients do this in the past, even straight up tell me they didn’t like me and were thinking about not coming back to therapy anymore, and our therapeutic relationship always gets stronger when they do. There are lots of ways to do therapy and I am very happy to make adjustments for you to get what you want and need, but I can’t read your mind. If something is bothering you, please let me know so we can address it. If it’s something that can’t be changed, I will refer you to another trusted colleague so you can get good therapeutic care.

Are you going to ask about my feelings?

Yep. But I probably won’t say, “And how does that make you feel?” My style of therapy and belief about humans is that we do what we do because it means something to us. It is this meaning that can be helpful or unhelpful in how a person functions in the world. So we dig deep into these meanings and what we want to do about them to create the change we are looking for in our lives. The fastest way to get at meaning is to address the emotion that arises from a given stimulus. Humans can understand when they feel mad, sad, glad, scared. Emotion gives us the language to get at the meaning that things hold for us.

On a more practical level, we can change all the behaviors we want. If we don’t change what the behavior means to us, we’ll keep getting stuck in the same patterns.

Will you push me to get work done?

I am here to work myself out of a job. The only way people feel better is if something changes. So I will challenge you, and I will push on you, and I will say things you don’t agree with or don’t like. I’m trying to get your brain to do things differently. I will never push you farther than you can go in a given session. I will never be hateful or dismissive towards you. I also do not know the “right” or “best” way for you to be, only you know that. You come to therapy because you don’t like the way something is. So I will present other ways for it to be and you can decide for yourself which way works best for you. Everybody does the best they can with the information they have at the time so I’m going to push your brain to acknowledge new and different information. Only then can you decide to do things differently.

What about homework?

I don’t generally use structured homework like worksheets or making charts or reading specific chapters. I do often say, “spend some time on this.” Our brains and selves are doing work outside of session whether we want them to or not. When we add intentionality, purposefulness, and deliberate choices to this work, it creates change much faster and much more consciously. I do not ascribe much to CBT type therapies, I lean much more to the meaning-making theories built on self and emotion. At the same time, writing things down, drawing, reading, talking to others, dancing, and other behavioral activities help access other types of learning and other parts of the brain to solidify the emotional meaning of the work we do in session. Feel free to do any kind of homework you think will be helpful, and take notes in session!

What styles of therapy do you use?

I most naturally gravitate towards emotion centered and meaning making styles of therapy. These include: Emotionally Focused Therapy (Sue Johnson), Internal Family Systems, Symbolic and Experiential therapies (Satir and Whitaker), Narrative Therapy, Somatic, and Trauma based therapies. I also use a lot of the Gottman Method in early couple work.

I do not use behavioral or expert oriented modes like Structural Family Therapy, Multigenerational Family Therapy (Bowen), Milan Systemic, Mental Research Institute Systemic Therapy, Strategic Family Therapy, or any of the more individually based therapies. These methods and theories require that relational systems function in specific, "right" ways. They often assume changing behaviors will change everything else, and rarely account for deeper reasons that couples and families might behave the way they do.

I will occasionally pull specific activities from Cognitive/Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), but only for very specific and limited circumstances.

Are you LGBTQIAPK+ friendly, sex positive, kink allied?
(and also everything else)

Many therapists and clinics claim to be welcoming to all, but too often, clients find that inclusivity doesn’t extend beyond the marketing. In my therapy room, you will always belong. You will always be met with validation, respect, and a genuine commitment to your well-being. You don’t have to earn that—it’s yours simply because you exist. And just so you know, I’m part of the letter community, too.

Sex is a fundamental part of human connection, identity, and well-being, and it deserves open, judgment-free discussion. I have these conversations with every client because they matter. I talk about sex with colleagues in professional settings, with my husband in our relationship, and with my children in age-appropriate ways. In my therapy room, no topic is off-limits. Any question, any discussion about sexuality, relationships, or intimacy—regardless of structure, orientation, or the number of consenting adults involved—is met with curiosity, respect, and affirmation. This is a space where you can explore, learn, and grow without shame.

Why do you require in-person sessions?

While teletherapy can be effective, in-person sessions offer a deeper, more impactful experience. Internet connection issues can disrupt progress, but more importantly, human connection is simply stronger face-to-face. You will feel more heard and understood when we can engage fully—without screens between us. The energy in the room is powerful, creating space for real change and growth.

As an intuitive, empathic therapist, I pick up on the smallest shifts—a flicker in your expression, a change in tone, a subtle movement. These nuances help guide our work together in ways that just aren’t possible over video or phone. And for some clients, the presence of another human truly seeing them—really looking at them—can be the catalyst for transformation.

I also incorporate touch and movement into therapy for clients who are open to it. This might mean holding hands, offering a supportive hug, or using calming gestures to help regulate emotions in the moment. Additionally, I often guide clients through physical positioning, structured engagements, and "sculpting" techniques—all tools that deepen emotional processing and connection. These interventions are far more effective when we’re in the same space.

Of course, touch is always discussed in advance. I will never engage in physical contact without a conversation first, and I fully respect any client’s preference not to.

Why do you require joint sessions?

Relational therapy means more than one client is in the room—the people involved in the problem and those who can provide support actively participate in the therapy session. This is essential for couples therapy because real change happens when both partners are engaged in the process. Seeing your relationship dynamics unfold in real time allows me to provide immediate guidance, helping you both understand and meet each other’s needs more effectively. By working on both sides of the issue simultaneously—addressing feelings, thoughts, and actions together—we make progress faster without waiting for me to relay insights between separate sessions. Plus, I can coach your partner in the moment on how to be more supportive, creating immediate shifts in your dynamic.

Relational therapy isn’t just for couples—it’s also the most effective approach for individual struggles like trauma, depression, anxiety, and more. Decades of research show that people improve more quickly and experience longer-lasting positive outcomes when meaningful others are involved in the therapy process. As human beings, we thrive in relationships. Trying to heal in isolation ignores a fundamental part of who we are. By incorporating the support systems that shape us, we unlock a more powerful and sustainable path to growth.

When a relationship is deeply strained, you may need a private, nonjudgmental space to process before coming into the shared therapy room. Your safety is always my top priority, if there is a risk of emotional or physical harm, I typically refer each partner to individual therapy with other providers to work through intense pain or anger management issues. Once the relationship is more stable, we can engage in joint sessions.

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.

You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees. Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit

www.cms.gov/nosurprises