FAQs
What can I expect in the first session?
Our first session is about building safety and understanding. We’ll discuss your history, current challenges, goals for therapy, and how I can best support you. Together, we’ll create a plan that feels supportive, empowering, and tailored to your needs. Please Note: The intake session will show up as Psychiatric Diagnostic. This is purely for diagnostic/insurance purposes. I am not a psychiatrist.
How long will therapy take?
Healing is a unique journey. Some clients find relief in a few months, while others may need longer-term work to deeply address complex or intergenerational patterns. We’ll check in regularly to ensure therapy is moving at a pace that feels right for you. You are always in charge of the pace, my job is to create a safe, therapeutic, supportive space where you can work when you feel ready.
What if I’ve already tried therapy before and it didn’t work?
That’s more common than you might think. Many traditional therapies focus on talking alone, which may not fully address trauma stored in the body. My integrative approach blends EMDR, somatic therapy, and other modalities to go deeper—so you can experience healing that feels more complete.
How do I schedule, re-schedule, cancel or change an appointment?
You can CLICK HERE OR please call (630) 934-1095 to speak with me. Please state specific needs if you leave a message. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the cancellation policy (below) to avoid incurring a late cancellation or no show charge.
What is your cancellation policy? Do you charge for missed appointments?
Your time is important, and so is mine. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please provide at least 24 hours’ notice regardless of your form of communication (e.g. text, leaving a voicemail or sending an email). Appointments canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice, or missed entirely, will be subject to a full session cancellation fee of $200. This policy helps me honor the time I set aside for you and makes space for others who may be waiting for an appointment.
Do you accept insurance?
Yes. I accept a variety of plans with Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna and Evernorth, Optum, United HealthCare (UHC/UBH), United Medical Resources (UMR), and Medicare. If I am an out-of-network provider you may be able to receive partial reimbursement through your insurance company. I can provide a superbill for you to submit claims directly. I also accept self-paying clients. I do not accept Medicaid.
How long does a session last? What if I arrive late?
A session typically lasts 50-55 minutes. To respect the time set aside for each client, sessions will need to end at the originally scheduled time, even if you arrive late. This ensures fairness and consistency for all appointments.
Do I need specific programs or information to attend telehealth therapy?
You will receive a link from Simple Practice to your telehealth appointment at the time you make the appointment. Simply click the link to join the session. To protect your confidentiality, yours and others safety, as well as the therapeutic space, you must be stationary (not driving) and in a private space (alone, unless it’s a couples session). To remain HIPPA compliant backgrounds may not be blurred and screen savers cannot be utilized. Please make sure you have working WiFi, video, and audio prior to starting your session.
How do I pay?
I require a credit card be kept on file to pay any outstanding balances, co-pays, co-insurances, and/or deductibles your insurance does not cover. It is your responsibility to know/understand your insurance plan and coverage, and/or to obtain prior authorization from your insurance carrier if it is required. Balances must be paid in a timely manner. I work with self-pay clients for those who do not have insurance. Visits must be paid in full at the time of appointment. Outstanding balances not paid in a timely manner may interfere with your ability to book your future sessions until the balance is paid.
Do you work with diverse clients?
Absolutely. I center my work on diversity and inclusion. I welcome people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. While I work with adults only 18+, I do consider work with teens on a case by case basis who are ready, willing, and able to engage in therapy.
What is Pesso Boyden System Psychomotor (PBSP) therapy?
PBSP is a powerful body-based therapy that helps release long-held patterns of pain, trauma and unmet needs. By creating new, corrective and healing experiences in a safe space, it supports lasting emotional balance and freedom. This type of change is more sustainable in the long term and reduces relapsing of old patterns. Many clients say “it’s like three years of therapy in one session”, finding it especially helpful for healing developmental and intergenerational trauma. It is typically group therapy work but can also be done in individual sessions.
What is EMDR therapy?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy proven effective that helps the brain and body process traumatic or distressing memories. By working with the brain’s natural healing processes and targeting how memories are stored in the nervous system, EMDR reduces the emotional intensity and overwhelming feeling of painful memories, and helps you move forward with greater resilience and peace. Many clients experience significant relief and greater freedom in their daily lives.
What is Heart Centered Hypnotherapy (HCT)?
This gentle, powerful, and compassionate process uses a relaxed, focused state to uncover and heal the root causes of emotional pain. By connecting with your heart and inner wisdom, it helps release trauma, shift limiting beliefs, and create lasting change. It is not stage hypnosis, and you are in control at all times. This empowering individual session typically requires a minimum of 90 minutes. It is a cash only service. Your investment is $300 per session.
What is Somatic Therapy?
Trauma lives in the body as well as the mind. Through body-based awareness and nervous system healing, somatic therapy helps restore balance, resilience, and safety.
How do you work with intergenerational trauma?
Intergenerational trauma shows up in patterns passed down through families—like cycles of addiction, shame, or unresolved grief. In therapy, we’ll explore these patterns with compassion and work toward healing not only for yourself, but in ways that ripple through generations to come.
Do you only work with trauma?
While I specialize in trauma, grief, and loss, I also work with clients facing challenges like anxiety, depression, life transitions, or relationship dynamics. Together, we’ll identify what’s blocking you and create a path toward growth and resilience.
Is grief counseling only for people who experience the death of a loved one?
While loss through death often brings people to therapy, we encounter many kinds of loss throughout life—each with the potential to disrupt our sense of balance and create real difficulties. Misunderstandings about grief, such as the myth of ‘just give it time,’ can leave people feeling isolated, misunderstood, and even questioning themselves. Not all grief leads to trauma, but every trauma brings grief. Both are often at the root of struggles like addiction, anxiety, and relationship challenges. In a supportive, nonjudgmental space, we’ll work together to explore your story, heal unresolved wounds, and restore hope. I specialize in grief counseling, trauma recovery (including military trauma), and breaking intergenerational cycles, leaving no stone unturned in helping you find lasting healing.
Can I contact you after hours?
I do not provide an answering / paging service. I am not available during my non-office hours. This allows me to maintain a healthy work/life balance so that I may be my absolute best for you in our sessions. If you have safety concerns or urgent matters outside of our sessions it is recommended you follow any safety plan you created in session, use your support system, or call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room if needed. You are always welcome to schedule last minute sessions if my schedule allows for it. I keep a “call list” that allows me to call you if I’ve had cancellations and unexpected openings. Please indicate to me if you’d like to be placed on this list.
Will you provide a letter of support for accommodations or other?
Any letters of support requested can be discussed. I require 7-10 days to complete it. There is a $50 charge due at time of pick up or prior to submission to any recipient.
Your healing journey is unique, and I’m honored to support you every step of the way.
Each approach is personalized to your unique needs and goals. I welcome your questions and concerns no matter what they are, as honest conversation helps us uncover what’s truly happening and guide us toward the support that fits you best. What we practice together in therapy strengthens your ability to navigate life beyond our sessions.