FAQS

Have questions about what it’s like to work together?

Check out these frequently asked questions. If you don’t see your question answered below, click here to get in touch.

How do we get started?

The most important thing is for you to feel comfortable with your therapist.

Let’s schedule a free15-minute consultation and we can have a chance to see if we are a good match. I will answer any questions you may have and if you decide you would like to continue, we can schedule your first appointment. If not, I will be happy to refer you to another clinician who might be a better fit.

Schedule A FREE 15 Minute Consultation

Your Questions, Answered

  • Everyone experiences stress and a certain degree of worry and overwhelm. However, when these things start to negatively impact your day-to-day life, relationships, or even work its important to talk to a professional to get more clarification on what you are experiencing.

    Anxiety can look different for everyone; you may feel constant dread or worry, ruminating or obsessing about everything, feeling overwhelmed by life and that nothing is in your control. You may experience physical symptoms like racing heart, butterflies in your stomach, trouble sleeping, or panic attacks.

    No matter how anxiety is showing up in your life, anxiety therapy can help you get to the root causes so you can get back to living the life you want.

  • Medication is not a requirement for anxiety therapy. Medication is a personal decision that you will always have a choice around. Medication can be helpful and based on my clinical judgment, I may make a recommendation for a medication evaluation.

    But again, this will be something that you decide for yourself. Medication is also not a solution for anxiety but can be used in conjunction with anxiety therapy. 

  • If you find yourself having a preoccupation with food, eating as well as body, weight and shape AND this preoccupation impacts how you see yourself, how you use food, and how you navigate your daily life, its important to be assessed by a trained professional.

    I will be able to clarify if you have an eating disorder that is impacting your physical and mental health.

  • Anorexia nervosa, bulimia; binge eating disorder, chronic dieting, and orthorexia.

  • It is impossible to compare or measure trauma. Many times, we think that what has happened to us isn’t trauma. I have heard clients say, “it wasn’t that bad,” “what happened to me wasn’t trauma, " or “I had a great childhood.” 

    Trauma is any experience that was overwhelming to your system, and left you feeling unsafe, powerless, and unprotected. If you have experienced something in your life that has impacted your sense of safety, security, belonging, or joy, and it continues to show up in your life today, that is trauma.  And to be human is to experience trauma.

  • Trauma therapy does not require you to disclose and relive your painful experiences in detail. You will always get to decide what you feel comfortable sharing. For some people, it is important to talk about the past and for others they do not feel safe going there. You set the pace and will always have choices. The only goal is to help you feel better. I can work with you in ways that feel best for you. We will gently “clean out the wound” in order to create healing so you are able to find relief and begin living the life you were meant to lead.

  • Whether or not total sobriety is recommended will really depend on what is going on for you, and what is driving your using behaviors. My treatment will be specific to you and your needs, making the plan for recovery unique to you.

Logistical FAQs

  • For in person sessions, I am located at: 3503 High Point Drive North, Building 3, Suite 230, Oakdale, MN 55128.

  • This is going to be a highly unsatisfying but honest answer: it depends. Just like if you were going to a doctor for help healing something, the level and intensity of intervention is going to depend on what the issue is, how long it’s been happening for, and how much impact it’s having on your quality of life.

    On average, most of my clients start off seeing me weekly or every other week. Once they’ve begun achieving their therapy goals and feel ready to decrease how often they see me, my clients will either choose to stop therapy or continue monthly sessions for continued maintenance and support. Rarely do I see a client for less than 12 sessions and most of my clients choose to work with me long-term (often a year or more).

  • I charge $200 per 55-minute session. I accept cash or credit card, and payment must be made at the time of service.

  • You have the right Under Section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your mental health care will cost. Under the law, mental health professionals need to give clients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for services.

    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

  • Yes, I am able to accept insurance and am in-network with Aetna, United Health Care, and Blue Cross Blue Shield.

    If I am considered an out-of-network provider with your insurance provider, I can provide you with a SuperBill, if you have a mental health diagnosis, for potential insurance reimbursement. Contact your insurance company directly to inquire about potential reimbursement as I cannot guarantee reimbursement of therapy fees.

  • I return emails, calls, and texts at my earliest convenience, typically Tuesday-Friday. If you are having a mental health emergency, call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.