Frequently Asked Questions

Do you accept insurance?

Not yet, but I am in the process of partnering with insurance companies and hope to offer this service in 2024.

Do you offer Telehealth?

Yes. In fact I am currently scheduling sessions mostly via phone or video. I do have a physical office location at Village Yoga in Hamburg, NY with limited hours typically reserved for family sessions and children who are participating in play therapy.

Do you offer a consultation?

Absolutely! You're hiring for a very important position, and I'd never expect you to begin working with me without first having an opportunity to get to know me, ask questions, and make sure you feel comfortable moving forward. For that reason I offer a free 30 minute consultation to all mental health and parent coaching clients.

What forms of payment do you accept?

I accept credit cards and HSA cards via my client portal Simple Practice. The portal does require that a card be on file before beginning sessions once our free consultation is complete.

Can I work with you from anywhere?

Currently my license to practice mental health therapy is valid in New York State, only. As licensing requirements for parent coaches are different, I am able to provide parenting strategy focused sessions to residents in other states.

What is your treatment approach?

I approach treatment using a personalized blend including but not limited to Internal Family Systems (IFS), Attachment-based Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Narrative Therapy, Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy, Strength-based Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). I welcome questions about what these therapy styles mean and I'd like you to have a voice when we decide our approach for you, together.

Do I need to be able to meet with you weekly? What is your availability like?

That's up to you. I do find that weekly sessions, at least in the beginning of our work together, allow for a more streamlined and efficient process of getting to know one another and setting goals. Realistically I know that won't be possible for everyone. If you prefer bi-weekly, monthly, or as-needed sessions, you'll still get plenty of therapeutic benefits. I currently offer daytime and limited evening availability.

Do you work with children? What about families and couples?

I offer play therapy services to children ages 6+, family counseling, and individual therapy services to teens and adults.

What is gentle parenting?

Gentle parenting is an effort to use evidence-based positive discipline strategies to create mutually respectful parent-child relationships that maximize bonding and reduce power struggles. In parent coaching sessions with me, you'll learn strategies for deepening your connection with your child, as well as how to allow that connection itself to be the foundation for a more cooperative, peaceful, and enjoyable family life. To learn more, check out my affiliation partner, The Gentle Parenting Institute.

Why would I work with a gentle parenting therapist if I'm not a parent?

I love working with all kinds of people who have all kinds of stories. You don't need to be a parent, or to want to talk about parenting, to be my client. I do think my deep understanding of child development, the effect of childhood trauma, and extensive knowledge about the role of parent-child attachment in adult mental health makes me uniquely qualified to support adults with inner-child pain or unhealed familial impact, regardless of parenting status.

Will you judge me if my current parenting style doesn't feel all that gentle?

No way. Gentle parenting is a goal and an effort that many of us are attempting without any examples or personal experience, while going against the social grain. Some are even doing so while working to break generational cycles of abuse and neglect. I'm not here to judge you for doing your current best, or anything else for that matter. Maya Angelou said, "Do your best until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." I can help give you the tools, support, and knowledge to determine what "better" means to you and to take steps in that direction, while learning to have self-compassion for past and present coping mechanisms you are working to growth through.

Will you be giving me lots of advice in mental health therapy?

In short, no. I believe that no one knows what is best for your life better than you do. I also understand that it takes support to get in touch with ourselves, understand our needs and goals, and identify areas where unhelpful patterns can be replaced with change and growth. I'll listen, help you organize your thoughts, and ask the right questions so that you can make sense of your own experiences and determine your own path.

I've never worked with a therapist before. What if I don't know where to start?

That's alright! I am deeply appreciative of the opportunity to be someone's first therapist, and I understand that it can take time opening up and beginning to share your story. If you don't know where to begin, I'll help, and we will work together at a pace that is comfortable for you.

What if I decide that therapy isn't helping me?

I encourage all my clients to please let me know if anything about our time together doesn't feel helpful. I care about each and every one of you, and I understand that different people need different therapeutic approaches. I will work with you to change our approach, if you choose. If you'd rather be referred elsewhere, I'll do my very best to connect you with other resources that may be a better fit for your needs.