Services
The Process
I normally start with potential clients by having a free 15 minute Zoom consultation. If we both feel it is a good fit, I would send you an invite to the client portal (I use Simple Practice for my practice management software), and we would proceed to scheduling a first full intake session, which would be approximately 53 minutes in length. Future sessions would also be approximately 53 minutes. For insurance clients, the process would be slightly different and I would be happy to discuss that in more detail during the free 15 minute consultation, or over email. For self pay clients, the fee per session is $150. In terms of cost per session for insurance clients, there are some factors that might come into play such as co-pay, deductible, and co-insurance, so we would need to discuss that in more detail. In addition, for self-pay clients, I can provide you with an itemized receipt/superbill that you may be able to submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement.
*Please note, I generally only work with clients online. An occasional in-person session may be possible depending upon location.
Approaches I Use in my Work with Clients
I usually work with clients using one or a combination of the below approaches. For a short description of each approach, please continue reading below.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR can be a great tool when it comes to treating trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In addition, it can be adapted to work on other difficulties that clients may be going through. I am trained in administering EMDR through the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA). If you would like to learn more about EMDR, I would highly recommend watching this video:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT can be a very important approach when it comes to things like anxiety, depression, phobias, OCD, and others. It can be a great way to reframe and change longstanding automatic negative beliefs and behavior patterns. Within CBT, I am also a big fan of and have training in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), which can be extremely helpful for things like OCD and phobias. In addition, I have training in Habit Reversal Training (HRT) for things like Trichotillomania and Excoriation Disorders.
Talk Therapy
Talk therapy can also play an important role, both on its own, and in addition to all of the techniques that I use. It adds the element of the human therapeutic relationship, which I view as very helpful not only in its own right, but also important for the success of techniques such as CBT, EMDR, etc. In addition, friends and relatives are often well-intentioned, but they can also often be quick to advise and not fully hear us out. I aim to be a person in your life who helps you get things off your chest, when you need someone to listen, without being judgmental and dictating what you should and should not do etc..
Concepts from Health Coaching
I am also a Certified Health Coach (CHC) through the Dr. Sears Wellness Institute. A healthy lifestyle can be an important factor regarding wellness of mind and body. A healthy lifestyle can consist of things such as getting adequate sleep and having good sleep hygiene; Eating healthily; Exercising regularly; And potentially incorporating breathing practices and meditation. In my work with clients, I often like to bring in concepts from health coaching because I feel that changing certain lifestyle/behavior patterns can be an important part of improving mental health (as well as physical health).
Mindfulness/Awareness and Non-Religious Spirituality/Transpersonal
Cultivating mindfulness/awareness can be very helpful when it comes to mental health and life in general. As an example, if we can become more aware of our negative biases, tendencies, patterns etc., and sincerely work on changing them, we can gradually start to be less of a victim of all of these things and have more freedom, and a higher quality of life.
In addition, non-religious spirituality/transpersonal can be very helpful when it comes to dealing with mental health challenges and life in general. In my practice, I do not use a religious approach, but instead one that I would describe as spiritual/transpersonal. I do not push any kind of religious moralistic agenda or anything like that. In addition, I am sensitive to the fact that some clients may have experienced religious abuse/trauma and can work with them on that as well.
Areas of Focus and/or Interest
Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (Including Exposure and Response Prevention), Depression, Depersonalization/Derealization, Trauma/Post-Traumatic Stress Stress Disorder (PTSD), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Concepts from Health Coaching, Talk Therapy, Mindfulness/Awareness, Non-Religious Spirituality/Transpersonal, Alternative Communities, Expats, Digital Nomads, Creatives