Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

During our initial 15-minute consultation, we will briefly discuss the reasons you’re seeking therapy, so I can better understand your needs. I’ll also share how I can assist and outline next steps, which could include discussing best days for an intake appointment, placing you on a waitlist, or offering you community referral options.

Most people at benefit from therapy at some point in their lives. It provides a safe, supportive, and judgement-free space to explore your thoughts and emotions. . If you’re ready to make a positive change and want support through the process, therapy can help you achieve your goals and lead to personal growth.

Therapy is tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual or family. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Initial Contact – A complimentary 15-minute phone consultation to determine if we’re a good fit and discuss your needs.
2. First Session (Intake Appointment) – We’ll review intake paperwork, gather key information, and collaborate on a treatment plan.
3. Follow-up Sessions – Are scheduled for 55 minutes, we’ll work on your individual goals, combining education, processing, and goal-focused coaching techniques to move forward.

The frequency of sessions will be based on your goals, with options for weekly, biweekly, or monthly appointments.

The duration of therapy varies based on individual factors such as past trauma, attachment disruptions, and the frequency of sessions. My goal is to help you achieve your therapy goals and ultimately “work myself out of a job.” This could take a few months or longer, depending on the commitment and progress made. The more you invest in therapy, the greater the benefits.

Confidentiality is a cornerstone of our work together. Everything shared in therapy remains private, including information from children.

Some exceptions to confidentiality include:

• Someone is hurting you
• You want to hurt yourself
• You want to hurt someone else
• You give me permission to share

Therapists are mandatory reporters of child, elder or vulnerable adult abuse. 

Maintaining your child’s confidence is key to effective treatment for numerous reasons, including building a strong therapeutic alliance, increasing engagement, and improving the parent-child relationship.

Prior to you scheduling your intake session, you will receive a link to your secure client portal, where you will have access to review and complete all intake paperwork. 

Once the documentation is completed, I will reach out to you to schedule or confirm an intake appointment.

If you are unable to complete the paperwork, please let me know.  

Yes! I offer telehealth counseling sessions. Please contact me for a 15-minute consultation to discuss if virtual therapy is a good option for you.

For younger children or those processing trauma, it’s essential that caregivers remain available during sessions. For more mature children, we can discuss a plan for you to be offsite during their therapy sessions, based on their needs.

Unfortunately, I do not have evening or weekend appointments at this time.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Alaska, I am licensed to provide therapeutic services to Alaskan residents while they are in Alaska.  Unfortunately, there is no reciprocity between states to allow me to see you while you are out of state for a vacation or a move.  We would have to take a therapeutic break for the time you are out of Alaska on vacation, and I would help provide referrals if you were to move out of state.

I am an Out-Of-Network provider. Please check your out-of-network mental health benefits with your insurance company. I can provide a Superbill for you to seek reimbursement from your insurance provider. Note that your diagnosis and treatment codes will be required for reimbursement, and some privacy considerations may apply.

Please verify your benefits, and out-of-network coverage.  As your insurance contract is between you and your insurance provider, I cannot make any guarantees about the level of reimbursement you may be eligible for. 

It is important to note that in order for your insurance to pay for your care, I must tell your insurance company what your diagnosis is. Based on your diagnosis, your insurance company will determine if, and how many sessions insurance will cover. 

Insurance companies also archive your medical history, this includes your mental health diagnoses. Certain job opportunities may require you to disclose any diagnoses you have ever had (such as in government or highly secure positions).  

If you still have questions, please reach out to me. 

By remaining Out-Of-Network, I can focus on your needs without the constraints of insurance company requirements. This allows for a more personalized treatment plan, tailored to your specific goals.

Courtesy Billing – You pay me at the time of service, and I submit paperwork on your behalf to your insurance company so that you get reimbursed directly from your insurance company.

Superbill – You pay me at the time of service, and I provide you with an invoice which you then submit to your health insurance for direct reimbursement from your insurance company.

There are some apps available that are very helpful for those that choose Superbill – one is called Reimbursify (they act as a ‘biller’ on your behalf and take a small percentage of what you get back and help if any issues arise).

Here are some questions to ask your insurance company to better understand your benefits. Please make sure you ask these questions regarding your out-of-network benefits.

Do I have out-of-network benefits for mental health services?

Are services rendered by a licensed professional counselor (LPC) covered?

Is pre-approval required before obtaining mental health services with an out-of-network provider?

Do my out of network benefits cover Telehealth as well as in-person?

Do I have a limited number of therapy sessions covered in a calendar year?

If I use out-of-network benefits, what I be reimbursed?

• Will I be reimbursed for the full amount or a portion?
  • Will you send the reimbursement to me directly?

Do I have a deductible?

• If so, what is it?
  • Is my out-of-network deductible different from my in-network deductible?

What is my co-pay for out-of-network mental health services?

Are any of these CPT Codes NOT covered?

CPT Codes: 

• 90791 Intake Assessment                 
  • 90837 Individual Therapy, 60 minutes
• 90834 Individual Therapy 45 minutes
• 90832 Individual Therapy 30 minutes
  • 90846 Family without patient present
  • 90847 Family with patient present

Clients are scheduled for a 55-minute clinical hour.  It may be beneficial confirm with your insurance provider if they reimburse 90834 CPT code (for a 45-minute session) at the same rate for a 60 minute session.

I accept credit cards, debit cards, FSA/HSA cards, cash, or checks.

Clients are required to keep a working card on file.

Unfortunately, I do not have any sliding scale slots available at this time.

However, these resources connect clients with therapists who offer low-fee therapy options:

Open Path Collective

Therapy Aid Coalition

See page: Play Therapy

Play therapy helps children express their emotions, process anxiety, trauma, ADHD, and other challenges through creative play. It is an effective tool for building rapport and improving emotional regulation.

Additional information on play in therapy can be found at Play Therapy Makes A Difference

I do not provide couples therapy, however, I would be happy to provide you with referrals with therapists who specialize in therapy with couples.

I do not specialize in high-conflict divorce or court-mandated co-parenting but can provide referrals to therapists who do.

I’m not able to provide custody evaluations for court.

Please visit Alaska Court System: Family Law – Parenting & Custody Plans for more information about parenting and child custody plans in Alaska.

As a Master’s level clinician, I do not prescribe medication. However, I can assist in identifying a qualified provider and coordinate with your healthcare team if desired, as I have extensive experience coordinating with medical teams. 

Medication can be effective for some, but therapy addresses the underlying causes of emotional and psychological issues. Therapy can complement medication, leading to more lasting change by working through core issues.

To avoid fees, please cancel with at least 48-hour notice. Late cancel or no-show fees will be charged to your card on file. These fees are not reimbursable by insurance.

CBIT is a non-medicated therapy specifically designed for individuals with tics, including those with Tourette Syndrome. It combines behavioral strategies to help individuals become more aware of their tics and manage the urges that cause them. CBIT involves training clients to perform “competing behaviors” to replace tics and adjusting environmental factors to reduce triggers. The goal is to reduce the severity and frequency of tics while improving overall functioning.

Benefits of CBIT Therapy:

Non-invasive and medication-free approach.

Significant reduction in tic severity for over half of individuals undergoing treatment.

Improved quality of life and increased ability to manage tics in various settings.

Brainspotting is a powerful, brain-based therapy that helps individuals process trauma and emotional pain by identifying specific “brainspots” — points in the visual field where unresolved trauma is stored in the brain. This technique allows clients to access and release deep-seated emotional and bodily issues that might not be accessible through traditional talk therapy.

Benefits of Brainspotting:

Can enhance creativity and performance by addressing mental blocks.

Effective for trauma, anxiety, depression, and unresolved emotional pain.

Focuses on accessing subconscious memories and emotional experiences.

Promotes healing by helping clients release deep-rooted distress and strengthen resilience.

EMDR is a structured therapy used to help people process and heal from traumatic memories and other distressing experiences. It involves a series of guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation while the client recalls memories, helping the brain reprocess the information in a more adaptive way.

Benefits of EMDR Therapy:

Often results in quicker therapeutic progress than other modalities for trauma-related issues.

Reduces the emotional charge of traumatic memories.

Helps clients process PTSD, trauma, anxiety, and depression.

Has been shown to be effective for clients who struggle with traditional talk therapy.

The choice of therapy depends on your unique needs and therapeutic goals. If you are struggling with tics or Tourette Syndrome, CBIT may be a good fit. If you have experienced trauma or have unprocessed emotional pain, Brainspotting or EMDR might help you make significant progress. I’m here to help you determine which approach will be most effective for your healing journey.

If you have any more questions, please reach out and schedule a 15-minute consultation so that we can discuss the questions you have.