Everyone needs help now and then. Just like you are likely to seek support from a medical doctor, physical therapist, or chiropractor if you had a physical ailment that could be treated by one of these specialists, I am a specialist at mental health, relationships, and human development. A mental health professional can help you approach your situation in a new way, teach you new skills, gain different perspectives, listen to you without judgment or expectations, and help you listen to yourself. 

How long will it take? 

Unfortunately this is not possible to say in a general FAQs page. Everyone’s circumstances are unique - the length of time therapy can take to allow you to accomplish your goals depends on your desire for personal development, your commitment, and the factors that are driving you to seek therapy in the first place. To address specific concerns, short-term therapy works quite well. For more complex challenges or long-standing issues, a longer timeline might be needed. 

How often will I need to come to therapy? 

I initially suggest a few regular, weekly sessions to create momentum - this time period includes information gathering, building the relationship between you and your therapist, and collaboratively identifying goals and developing a plan to accomplish those goals. Continued frequency will be dependent on your unique situation and recommendations from your therapist; I see a variety of clients weekly, biweekly, and even once per month for more maintenance-type support.

Your active participation and dedication to the process is crucial to your success. After all, I may only see you for one hour per week. It’s taking the tools and insights discussed during your sessions, and implementing them outside of your sessions, that will really help you see your personal & relational growth and development. 

Yes. I am able to effectively offer my expertise in a convenient & flexible way, whether you live near or far from my Denver office. I utilize a HIPAA-compliant video software that requires no download for your computer, tablet, or phone. 

For the best experience of online/teletherapy, consider your environment for sessions - locate yourself in a comfortable and quiet location, free from most distractions, with stable internet and the ability for video and audio connection. 

Occasionally, teletherapy may not be the most appropriate/effective method of receiving support; should this be my assessment, I will suggest moving to in-person sessions or provide customized referrals with other support options. 

As a couples therapist, I treat the couplehood as the client, not one partner over the other. However, you still have individual histories, needs, and desires. Getting to know you each individually helps me understand your perspective in the context of the relationship. 

Further reasons I may want to see you separately, including: Helping each partner feel heard and seen (by the therapist) as you dive into that work with each other; clarity of perspectives; there may be difficult things that need to be brought up and an individual session can help prepare you to do so; partners trigger each other and individually we help teach skills to respond to triggers in joint sessions differently; plus, individual check-ins are important to make sure individual needs (within your couplehood) are being met. 

My process for couples counseling starts with four sessions:

1) Joint Session to meet you as a couple, observe you interact, and begin to understand your struggles/goals for therapy. 

2 & 3) Individual Sessions with each partner(at least 45 minutes in length) to continue assessing the strengths and areas of growth in your relationship, as well as more history taking. 

4) Joint Session to discuss therapist’s assessment of the relationship, collaboratively clarify goals for therapy, and therapist’s planned approach to help you meet those goals. 

I work with persons 12 years old and older. 

My approach to working with teens encourages them to personally guide and co-lead their treatment. I am a systems & family-oriented therapist, so I will explore and encourage inclusion of parents/caregivers or other important parties when it seems it would be beneficial to the teen or family system.

With this approach, I’ve seen great improvements in areas of trust, ownership, boundary development, and confidence.

It is my practice policy, except in rare cases (such as those that may fall under HB 19-1120), to first seek consent from all caregivers with decision-making authority before beginning treatment for minors 12-17 years of age. I may request a copy of the Divorce Decree or Allocation of Parental Responsibilities Order to confirm the consent required for treatment.

I am not in-network with any insurance providers (or EAP companies); I am an “out-of-network” provider. If you are wanting to utilize your insurance, I suggest you first inquire with your insurance company to find out if your plan covers some or all of the cost of therapy. 

Some helpful questions to ask: 

Do I have mental health insurance benefits? 

Do I have any out-of-pocket mental health benefits? 

What is my deductible and has it been met? 

How many sessions per year does my health insurance cover? 

What is the coverage amount per therapy session? 

Is approval required to use these benefits?

Am I able to use my out-of-network insurance benefits? 

Yes, I am an out-of-network provider, which means my practice does not have a contract with your insurance company. If you have any out-of-network mental health benefits, let me know you would like to receive superbills (i.e., a specialized invoice for submission to insurance companies). You will be responsible for payment for your session at the time of service, then at the beginning of each month, I will provide you with superbills for sessions from the previous month, that you can submit to your insurance company. Your insurance company would then reimburse you directly based on your plan’s out-of-network benefits. 

Paying out of pocket can mean a greater personal investment in your therapy, which can lead to getting more out of it. For some, this investment may not be feasible - in which case, I can help you find alternatives. 

However, there are also some advantages to consider if you do not go through insurance. For example, paying out of pocket means that your therapy experience is more private - none of your records, diagnostic information, or authorization for services must go through insurance. Additionally, you have more autonomy to choose a clinician you feel particularly connected with, rather than those on a list provided by your insurance company. 

My rates are based on my years in the field, experience, specialized training, and certifications. My fee is $175 for a standard 60-minute session (50-55 min therapeutic hour). 

The average therapy session in the Denver area ranges from $120 to $250. I charge a fair rate for my skills, talents, experience, and training.

Effective January 1, 2022, the No Surprises Act, which Congress passed as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, is designed to protect patients from surprise bills for emergency services at out-of-network facilities or for out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, holding them liable only for in-network cost-sharing amounts. The No Surprises Act also enables uninsured patients to receive a good faith estimate of the cost of care.

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost.

Under the law, healthcare providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.

• You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment and hospital fees.

• Make sure your healthcare provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least one business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your healthcare provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.

• 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.

Get More Information

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit cms.gov/nosurprises or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

I require at least 24-hours notice. Anyone cancelling an appointment with less than a 24-hour notice will be charged their full session fee. The cost of missed sessions is not typically covered by your insurance company (in- or out-of-network benefits).