What is telehealth therapy, and what is it like?

Telehealth is an evidence-based way of conducting one on one therapy through video or phone. In my case, HIPAA compliant and secure video using a platform called doxy.me. Before our first session, you will be emailed a link that will not change during the course of our time together. You will log on to this secure “waiting room” until I begin our video session. Your session is still private and confidential, and will not be recorded.

How do I know if I need therapy?

I’ll be real, at this point, I think we all need therapy. The biggest question to ask yourself may be, “what would it look like if I felt better?”, and ask if that’s something you need support attaining. Whatever this looks like for you, whether it’s learning to navigate social situations better, processing trauma, or learning to be kinder to yourself, just about anyone can benefit from therapy in our current climate.

Why don’t you take insurance?

Insurance can be very helpful for those who need short term therapy, don’t mind a diagnosis attached to them, or those who are seeing other providers inside of a larger system. For those of us who may wish to have more privacy due to our gender expression, sexuality, or other issues related to neurodivergency, private practice private pay may feel safer and offer more flexibility.

What can I expect from my first therapy session?

After we establish a day and time to meet, you will login to doxy.me for your first session. I have a certain amount of information I like to know to best help you, such as history of trauma, your strengths and goals, or current symptoms. I tend to keep it flexible and conversational. You can always opt out of answering questions you’re not ready to answer and dig into them at a later time (or never).

How long will I need therapy?

This depends on the individual, their past experiences, and to be fair, sometimes finances. I see some folks for a few months and they feel ready to wrap up, and others I see for years at a time, which can be a really wonderful experience for us both!

Are you going to make me meditate (or do yoga, go to the gym, eat a special diet, etc.)?

I may love these things for myself, but every person is unique, and has a different history or background with movement or mindfulness. I won’t push any one thing if it doesn’t work for you, and I certainly won’t force you to sit still and meditate (because I am not doing that on a regular basis either!).

Are you going to make me do homework?

Do you want homework, or are you a perfectionist who has built your formally gifted kid image on doing really well at homework? Hit a nerve? Same! It depends on the person, but I’m not a fan. My clients tend to have executive functioning struggles and forget to do the homework or put it off and then feel guilty. I’m not here to put you in that space, you’re already doing enough.

Are you going to diagnose me?

It depends. If you already have a prior diagnosis from another provider, and that feels true to you, we can keep that. If you’re looking for an autism diagnosis, I don’t currently do that and would refer you to a variety of other (also neurodivergent) providers. I can diagnose ADHD, but if you want medication, sometimes primary care providers want a bit more specific info from a psychiatrist, psychologist, or Psy.D.

I have an autism diagnosis. Is my information safe?

I’m so sorry, but I wish I had a clear answer for this. You may have heard that our current HHS announced plans to make a “database” using Medicaid and Medicare information to find the “root cause” of autism. Not only is this scary, but it’s highly rooted in eugenics. I will work with you as best as possible to protect your data, and since I do not take Medicaid or Medicare, would not be contributing to the proposed groups information.

How do I get a letter for gender affirming surgery?

We would first schedule an intake in order for me to perform the assessment that is required for insurance. This assessment meets WPATH criteria and will give me the information needed to write a letter endorsing you for surgery. It takes me about a week to get everything ready, and I don’t charge for the actual letter at this time, only the intake assessment.

Who can know what I talk about in therapy?

Since I only work with adults over 18, you can expect privacy and autonomy regarding your information. Some people may sign my intake consent forms if they want me to be able to communicate with another provider, such as a psychiatrist. In these cases you still have a choice of what I can share or not share.