FAQ
Where do I find you?
I am currently located completely online.
Keep an eye out for an office location in Carbondale CO in the Summer ’21!
Is therapy for me?
Therapy is for ANYONE who wants to be in therapy. It could mean wanting support and a safe person to talk to. It could mean feeling stuck in your patterns but not knowing how to change.
It could mean knowing that you have some traumas to work through and, wisely, not wanting to do it on your own. It could mean you feel like things are harder than they should be. It could mean you are struggling with your relationship to yourself, your relationship to others, or your relationship to your sense of well-being or purpose.
If you are tired of doing it alone, therapy is for you.
What can I expect?
This is a trick question, because the best way to really know what to expect is to schedule a free consultation.
Each and every person who will read this is as unique in their personality and past as they are in their needs for therapy.
Though I have a wealth of training in different modalities, including Hakomi, Gestalt, Mindfulness-based work, IFS, and DBT, I will only bring pieces in when they will benefit your process and growth.
Though your experience will be unique to you, there are a few things you can expect… You can definitely expect that your therapy experience will be collaborative. That means we determine your goals together and work to keep each other accountable and moving forward.
You can expect that it will be frustrating at times (as all change is) and that the process of growing and changing will not always feel linear. Yet you can absolutely expect to walk away knowing more about yourself and having more skills to create your life the way you want it, instead of being ruled by unconscious habits.
Why should I pay for therapy (and what do you charge)?
Think of it this way, better to exercise and eat well then to go to the doctor as you’re having a heart attack and have to pay for heart surgery. Holistic and preventative mental health averts physical and emotional debris down the line.
There’s also this: When clients invest their money, they are often more invested in their outcomes.
They tend to be willing to challenge themselves more and continue working on themselves between sessions – meaning you get more out of your time. When you value therapy, your therapy will give you more value back.
(Oh, and my rate is $120/ 55 minutes with sliding scale options)
What hours are you available?
My hours vary, but my earliest appointment is usually at 8, and my latest is usually at 6:30. I do my best to accommodate your life; but if scheduling is a concern, let’s talk!
How do I know if you’re the right therapist for me?
Honestly, therapy is kind of like online dating (without the romance, obviously). The best way to find the right fit is to stop reading websites and go meet people in person!
Ask them (and me) questions about their work and their ideas about therapy – and see what resonates to you.
Ask your body who you feel the best with. Ask your heart who you feel the best with. And ask your mind who you feel the best with. You’ll know.
What modalities do you use?
I am a certified Hakomi therapist and am trained in mindfulness-based therapy, gestalt, PACT couples counseling, and EMDR.
Hakomi is a body-based mindfulness method of therapy. It’s five foundational principles are mindfulness, non-violence, organicity, mind-body holism, and unity. Hakomi uses experiential techniques to help you change your “core material” and “core beliefs” about the world. If you’re tired of talk therapy and looking for a new way to approach old material, Hakomi could be a refreshing and gentle way to get what you’re looking for.
EMDR is a highly evidence-based method of trauma treatment that uses bilateral stimulation to help you process and integrate traumatic experiences in a safe and controlled environment. EMDR has been proven to reduce symptoms of trauma in an efficient and effective way.
PACT, the brainchild of the famous Stan Tatkin, stands for Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy. It is a highly experiential and scientific way of understanding the couple dynamic and why conflict occurs. If you are interested in learning more, you can start with reading his original book, Wired for Love, or coming in for a consultation with your partner.
How do I know if I have “trauma”?
Trauma is a bit of a catch phrase in the therapy community, so it makes sense that you might be confused.
In my training and orientation, trauma is anything you have experienced that is unprocessed in the nervous system and continues to be highly disturbing.
That means that active combat may or may not be trauma. That means that neglectful family dynamics could or could not be trauma. Not to sound repetitive, but trauma is very individualized, because it is a combination of what happened to us and how we internalized it.
Don’t worry if you’re still confused; it doesn’t really matter how someone else labels you. What matters is what you feel inside, and we can keep working through that together.
Can you get rid of my trauma?
No. But we can work on leaving trauma in the past and allowing you to move on with your life. Using EMDR, we can help you turn down the volume and the noisiness of painful memories so that they no longer take over your life.
We will help you make sense of what happened to you while returning you to a sense of security and control. In doing so, you can expect most of your symptoms to reduce significantly if not completely.
I’m struggling with my relationship; should I seek out individual or couples therapy?
This is a really good question, but unfortunately it tends to be really individualized to your relationship. Let’s talk a bit more, so I can really understand what’s going on with you.
Do you work with non-traditional relationships?
Yes. It is important to me that all expressions of diversity feel welcomed in therapy, including alternative relationship constellations. However you express your love, I am here to support you to make it work for you and your partner(s).
Why did you become a therapist?
I became a therapist because, when I was in the midst of crisis, all I wanted was for someone to be with me instead of trying to fix it. I think everyone deserves a kind and loving witness in their life, and I wanted to be that person.
Besides… I think humans are FASCINATING! Every day my work feels different, dynamic, and meaningful. It really couldn’t get better than that.
Okay I’m sold; how do I start?
The first step is to give me a call at (970) 528-0378 (or use the contact form) and set up an initial free 30-minute consultation. Low risk, high reward!