FAQ

I started my career fourteen years ago, working primarily with children and adolescents. Over time, I found myself increasingly drawn toward supporting the experiences of the parents.

While I still work with minors on a case-by-case basis, I primarily work with adult women and men on several issues, including anxiety, depression, resilience, and parenting transitions.

I also work with couples. Whether you’ve been together for one week or one decade… or are in a same-sex or opposite-sex partnership, I am happy to work with you.

Standard sessions are approximately 53-55 minutes. Longer sessions of 75 or 90 minutes are available upon request.

There are times where I will recommend assignments to help support your goals between sessions. Unlike school, these are not graded, and there’s no punishment for missed assignments. Assignments are intended solely to support your therapeutic process. If assignments make you cringe, you don’t have to do them.

Right now, yes. To ensure your health and safety, I follow the CDC and local governance from the Department of Regulatory Agencies regarding social distancing and wearing masks. 

Teletherapy is simply doing therapy by video on your computer or smartphone. It’s just like having an in-person session but it is conducted virtually. I use a HIPAA-compliant portal to maximize privacy and security.

Nope. I will send you a link you can access from your smartphone or computer. There’s no need to create an account, utilize special apps, or download anything.

That’s a great question because your privacy is important for your therapeutic process.

As long as you are close enough to Wi-Fi, you can access our sessions outside your home (e.g., in your yard, on the patio, in your garage, or from your car).

When you have to be indoors, I recommend trying to plan sessions when the other individuals in your home can distance and allow you an hour for yourself. Headphones also help with privacy.

“Walk and Talk” sessions allow for movement while engaging in therapeutic dialogue side-by-side (versus sitting in an office).

This option is available to individuals willing to travel to Boulder County.

Most walks take place in the 80027-zip code, based on your comfort level. The walk is held at a leisurely pace to ensure that the conversation flows comfortably.

If you want to meet outside in the fresh air and forgo the walking, we can sit at one of several outdoor meeting places in the area.

Because they take place outdoors, there is some risk to confidentiality. Our conversation might be overheard, we might encounter a person who knows one of us, or someone might recognize me as a mental health professional.

Before our first session, we will discuss how to best manage any of these situations to maximize your confidentiality and comfort.

Wear what you’d feel most comfortable walking in, including layers to account for fluctuations in weather.

It’s Colorado, so bad weather is bound to happen on occasion. My personal cut-offs are negative temperatures, extreme wind, and heavy rain or snow. These are elements that can affect our ability to carry on a conversation and walk safely without distraction.

We will discuss your comfort level with weather elements and determine your preferences before the meeting. If the weather is an impeding factor on a session day, the session will be held via teletherapy or phone instead. “Walk & Talk” sessions are not canceled due to weather.  

I started my career as a Board-Certified Music Therapist (MT), working primarily with children and adults with neurodevelopmental diagnoses (e.g. Autism, speech and language disorders, intellectual, or developmental disabilities.)

After four years of practice as an MT, I pursued my Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. With the degree and an additional 2250+ hours of clinical training after that, I obtained my license as a clinical social worker. I continued my education by receiving a second master’s degree in Developmental Psychology seven years later.    

I have obtained additional training outside of my academic endeavors in the following: Functional Family Treatment Therapy, Competent care for Autism and Related Disorders, Dialectical Behavioral and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Willingness and Radical Acceptance in Psychotherapy, Empowering Survivors and Families through the Cancer Journey, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma, various approaches to couples therapy, and Integrative Medicine for Mental Health Professionals.

I most frequently use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.

Interventions and strategies are individualized according to the needs of each individual.

I recognize there can be uncertainty and questions about starting this process.

Is it worth going?  

Why is she different from anyone else?

I get it. I’ve been there. To make the most out of working with me, you just need to be honest with me and, more importantly, with yourself. I don’t do Band-Aid therapy, which means I don’t give you topical strategies to hide what is really hurting.

I do provide strategies that bring relief throughout the process while recognizing the deeper wound. I believe in diving in, learning how to swim, and building the skills to float through life… prepared for what may come your way. I’m honest and a real person who has been on both sides of the therapy session.

I’ll hold space for you and challenge you, so you get to where you want to be.

While cash may be king, I also accept credit cards and health savings account (HSA) cards. I do not accept Venmo because it is not a secure method that ensures your privacy.

Insurance claims require a medical diagnosis of a mental health disorder, even if that does not fit your experience. While there are diagnosable conditions that bring people to therapy, there are other reasons that do not require a formal diagnosis (e.g., relationship challenges, difficulty managing stress, or loss of a job).

Insurance companies also dictate the number of sessions appropriate for you, rather than what is truly in your best interest. By paying privately, you assure that your therapy notes remain confidential and outside your medical record—and that WE (not the insurance company) determine the length of your treatment.

With that said, I understand cost can be prohibitive at times. If you would like to work together but are unsure about cost, please reach out. I offer a number of sliding scale slots for those with demonstrated financial need.

Yes. Discounts are available for people interested in purchasing 6, 8, and 12 sessions at a time. Packages are ideal for individuals who have either done therapy before and want to revisit their work and/or people with a particular focus (e.g., sleep challenges or coping strategies).

Packages are limited to one per individual, couple, or family.

Whether there are challenges unearthed during therapy that warrant our working together for a longer period … or you determine you want to take your therapeutic process to a deeper level… we can always continue working together at the standard session rate.

There are two options. We can meet via teletherapy through the computer or your phone, or we can meet at one of my preferred outdoor locations in Boulder County. Sitting outdoors in public places is an option for those that may enjoy the experience of being outside but do not want to walk.

I get it. You want to tell me a bit about yourself and see if we’re a good fit before committing. I offer free 15-minute consultations via phone or teletherapy for just that reason.

Just call or complete the Contact form and let me know you’re interested in a consultation.

Great! Call or fill out the Contact form and let me know you’re ready to schedule an appointment. For scheduling purposes, please specify if you would like in-office therapy in Denver, teletherapy, or a “Walk & Talk” session in Boulder County. I will share available appointment times, and we will get you scheduled.

No. I do not believe in using our session time for paperwork unless you would like clarification or to discuss anything.

I use an electronic health record that stores all of the paperwork so you can fill it out and review it whenever you like. You’ll receive a link to a secure portal to fill out the paperwork from the comfort of your home.

Colorado! I’m a (rare?) Colorado native and have lived here most of my life, except for a few years in Kansas, California, and Missouri.

Sorry cat folks… I’m all about dogs and have two of my own. That said, I grew up with the best cats I’ve ever met and still have some of the cat-claw scars to prove it! Someday, I’ll circle back to cats, but, until then, large dogs are my favorite.

While I love a good scent, I recognize we all have different preferences and do not subject you to my preferences.

If I did, though, my office would smell like some version of blue spruce trees, cinnamon, and ginger (See why I don’t use oils in confined spaces??).

I use an incredibly high-quality brand known as Kirkland Signature. Trust me… they get the job done.

I keep my masks low-key and tend to go white, black, or gray. I look forward to seeing your more fashionable mask if that’s your thing.