In our first session, I will get to know who you are and where you came from, and you will start understanding how I approach our work.  I will collect information from you by asking questions about your family of origin, your previous experience work with therapists, and how you would like to use our time together.  People come to therapy for various reasons, and I am happy to sit with you through your reasons, whether it is to process emotions, get new ideas about how to solve relational problems, or heal from previous pain.  I will go at your pace, while assessing insight and balance, and we will adjust future sessions based on your needs and my expertise.

First and foremost, welcome to the process! I’m so glad you are contemplating starting this journey. Having a skilled practitioner to guide you when you feel stuck, stressed, scared, or frustrated can be an important step toward a healthier life. A seasoned therapist will not move the process faster than you are able to manage. Instead, they will continually assess what feels manageable for you and tailor each session accordingly.

It’s completely okay to be new to therapy. Try to focus on the potential benefits—growth, insight, healing, stronger relationships, and improved boundaries—rather than the initial awkwardness of being vulnerable. Most of us use emotional shields to protect ourselves from vulnerability, but over time those shields often limit our growth and strain our relationships.

Absolutely. As a therapist who specializes in couples therapy and divorce, I often see couples end their marriages prematurely without considering the benefits of couples therapy. In my humble opinion, most marriages deserve the opportunity for neutral guidance when navigating such an important decision.  

I also encourage people to remember that individual therapists may sometimes support a quick move toward divorce without hearing the other partner’s perspective—or, more importantly, without understanding the full story of the marriage and the dynamics within it.

When people end a marriage without fully processing the hardships that accompany a severed relationship, they may feel unprepared for the next phase of life—whether that includes parenting separately, dating again, grieving the loss of the relationship, or redefining their identity. In many cases, divorce can become an attempt to escape painful or uncomfortable emotions rather than an intentional, well-processed decision.

Couples therapy can provide a structured space to explore these challenges, gain clarity, and make thoughtful decisions about the future—whatever that future may look like.

When people end a marriage without fully processing the hardships that accompany a severed relationship, they may feel unprepared for the next phase of life—whether that includes parenting separately, dating again, grieving the loss of the relationship, or redefining their identity. In many cases, divorce can become an attempt to escape painful or uncomfortable emotions rather than an intentional, well-processed decision.

Couples therapy can provide a structured space to explore these challenges, gain clarity, and make thoughtful decisions about the future—whatever that future may look like.

Yes—being part of a group can be more beneficial than you might imagine. Listening to others share their experiences often helps normalize our own pain. Hearing how people cope with loss or adapt to change can inspire us to try new approaches in our own lives.

Group work also creates opportunities to hold space for others, which can deepen empathy and reduce feelings of isolation. Over time, many introverted participants find that as trust builds, they naturally develop the strength and courage to share parts of their own story.

It’s completely normal to feel uncertain about something new. Growth often begins just outside our comfort zone, and group therapy provides a supportive environment to take those steps at your own pace.

Sessions typically last 50 minutes, and payment is due at the end of each session. My fee for a 50-minute individual session is $170, and $210 for a couples and family therapy session.  Although I don’t work in-network with insurances, I can provide a receipt for you to submit to your health insurance based on your plan’s coverage. I am not an in-network provider because insurance companies require a diagnosis and can limit how long and often you are treated. Contact me for more details about your insurance submission needs.

Payment for services are due at the end of each session. Payments are made through cash, check, Venmo or Ivy Pay. Ivy Pay is a HIPAA-secure App and you can use your credit, HSA or FSA cards through this process.

If you are in crisis, please seek immediate help by calling 911, visiting your nearest hospital, or contacting a local emergency service. My voicemail is always available, but it is not intended to function as a crisis resource.