Thank you for your interest in working with me.  The best next step is to call me and if you get my voicemail, leave as detailed a message as you are comfortable leaving.  We will then connect over the phone for a free 15-20 consultation where I will gather general information related to your counseling needs and desires, as well as provide you with some information about me and my practice.  If it appears to be a good fit, and you are interested, we will schedule an initial 80-minute intake appointment.  Otherwise, I will provide you with other potential therapist referrals in our community that may suit your needs more appropriately.

What can I expect in the first session?

The initial intake will last about 80 minutes and will require that you complete paperwork prior to the visit that I will send you through my secure client portal.  This first session is most importantly about introducing ourselves to each other and ideally establishing a connection.  It will also entail reviewing required paperwork, gathering information about your life and what brought you to counseling, and your desires for seeking services.  At the end of the session, I will check in with you about the session and provide treatment recommendations based on the information obtained.

From @nedratawwab (with some additions)

• To evolve
• To cry without being prompted to stop or cheer up
• To speak from the heart
• To talk without fear of being judged openly
• To learn more about/challenge themselves
• To have someone sit with during difficulty times
• To process life events
• To share things that other people can’t understand
• To talk about people who need therapy, but won’t go
• To hear themselves talk without having to listen to another person talking about themselves
• Talk about the things we should be talking about and aren’t

The core values of the social work profession are:

• service
• social justice
• dignity and worth of the person
• importance of human relationships
• integrity
• competence

As an LCSW, I obviously know more about what that means because I have not been trained as an LPC, however, as a broad generalization, LPC’s have a graduate degree by an accredited program in counseling or similarly related field and generally focus on the client as an individual. An LCSW has a graduate degree in social work and will generally focus not only on the client as an individual, but view the individual through a holistic systems lens with a focus on resources (both inherent and external). Both however may enter in to private practice and provide various psychotherapy and counseling services. The core values of the social work profession are; service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence.

Finding the “right” therapist is like trying on clothes.  Sometimes you find the right fit immediately and sometimes you need to shop around.  I encourage people to get recommendations from friends and other professionals in the community, read therapist’s websites, speak with therapists on the phone, and ultimately schedule an appointment to see if you have a fit.  I typically encourage people to meet with a therapist at least 2-3 times prior to making a determination of fit, although there are times you get a feel for the “right fit” in the first session.

All treatment recommendations are based on the individual, the circumstances, and the presenting concern.  How often you present to therapy will be based on your desires as well as my recommendations, however I typically encourage people to engage weekly for at least 4-6 sessions.  Following that we will discuss the most appropriate timeframe which will vary from continued weekly to every other week to once a month to “as needed”.  I work with each of you individually to create a schedule that works best for you and your situation.

Four Corners Counseling is an out of network provider for all insurance companies.  Upon request, however, I am happy to provide you with receipts of service and/or a “Superbill” to submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement, which will require a mental health diagnosis.  I can not guarantee reimbursement as it is based on your insurance company and individual insurance plan.

My rate for the initial 80 minute intake is $225 and for a traditional  50 minute session is $150. If we are working together through extended session lengths or therapy immersions & healing retreats, time will be billed at my rate of $150/50 minutes.  Payment is required at the start of each session.  Cash or check are accepted. 

Click here for more information about my services and fees.

A traditional counseling session lasts roughly 50 minutes (sometimes a bit shorter, sometimes a bit longer) and allows time for a brief check in as well as time to “do the work”.  The work will vary based on presenting need and goals, though will often include some psycho-education and skill building, as well as verbal processing, supportive reflection and feedback, and experiential practice.  The session will often end with a plan for at home practice prior to the following session.

Click here for more information about my treatment approach.