What's the difference between you & a talk therapist/counselor?
I will not be focusing on your past history, but instead on building skills for your mindfulness of the present moment & what's going on in your body (sensation, posture, breath) as a way to create tools for you in your day-to-day life.
Will you be diagnosing me?
I am trained to diagnose, but diagnosing is a part of a medical model that I have made great strides to move away from. I will be interested in any diagnosis you may have received, but that's not how I conceptualize how to support someone in their well-being.
Do I need to stop seeing my current mental health provider to see you?
No, if you are happy with who you are working with, there's no reason to end, from my point of view, & I'm happy to be a part of your healing team!
If you're trained as a psychotherapist, why are you not offering psychotherapy?
I have offered psychotherapy (in Colorado) for many years, but have found that when I free myself up from that label, I can bring many of the other helpful elements into my sessions.
Do you take insurance?
No, taking insurance requires working within the medical model, which is not ideal for the type of processes I offer to clients. For insurance to cover mental health services, you'd have a diagnosis added to your medical records.
What's up with your fee?
Having my fees at $190 ensures that I schedule fewer clients weekly & show up for you in a present & effective way. If you've ever gone to a burnt-out therapist, you'll understand the difference.
How often do I need to make my appointments?
Weekly is best to keep the thread of the work. I generally give clients a "spot" & we move appointment times, if needed & as available. I also take regular weeks off for retreat practice & training, which will create some weeks "off."
Is this bodywork or energy work like Reiki or massage?
No, I am trained in Reiki, but I do not offer hands-on bodywork.
Why do you require a minimum # of sessions in some of your pathways?
For the entry pathway I require a minimum # of sessions to feel into if we work together well & to establish a "good fit." The SSP requires a certain amount of sessions because there are 10 listening sessions.
Can't I just learn techniques on TikTok, YouTube or a meditation app?
Maybe some things you can find on an app if you'd like to randomly choose things and hope they work for you. My experience is that most people don't really know what they are looking for or what would help their situation & end up wasting time & energy.
Another way to think about it is...if you want to learn Jazz Dance (which requires a lot of technique) you could watch a video on Youtube & learn some things, you could take a Jazz dance class & learn even more or you could work with a dance instructor 1-on-1 & likely progress well with practice & individualized help from your teacher.
Essential to human healing is connection & relationship. Learning something new is great (usually), but it's the experiential that creates change. There's very little that compares to being attuned to by a real person in real-time.
I've tried a lot of things, why is this different?
I make no promises, but I've helped many clients over the years who are coming to me after seeing other practitioners with little progress or hitting a wall after a period of healing. Also, I am likely to recommend complimentary modalities I think might support you, because most people need more than one person on "their healing team."
I have a hard time connecting with my body & I'm afraid of what I might find there. If I do this work, will I relive or find trauma?
I am highly trained to work with anything that may surface in a session. This work moves at the pace of your body. We do not force anything in sessions.
Why do you offer Astrology?
Astrology was my first vehicle to help people know themselves better & it can be an incredible short-cut to getting to the heart of a matter. I'm a very skilled astrologer & I do not engage in predictive astrology. Astrology can be included in any pathway, but can simply be for my information if you don't want to explore it.
Can I see you online?
I take some clients online if it seems like it would be workable. Let's talk :)
What's the difference in these mental health terms?
Counselor: a broadly used term, you'll need to look at credentials & education to know how someone is using this title.
Psychotherapist: a term that is usually used by individuals who have completed a Master's degree in Counseling Psychotherapy or Social Work. Sometimes those who also get their PhD will continue to use this term. Someone using this term is also likely to be licensed in their state of practice or to use a label such as "unlicensed psychotherapist" if they have the education, but are in the process of completing licensing requirements.
Psychologist: this term usually indicates someone who has reached PhD level & who may have engaged in specific research or continues to contribute to research. Licensing varies by state for clinical or counseling psychologists, so you'll need to look at training & education to know exactly what training this person has.
Psychiatrist: this term indicates a medical degree & the only level of mental health professional who prescribes medication. Psychiatrists often don't offer counseling or therapy, but some do.
Coach: coaches are not licensed or regulated. There's nothing to stop anyone from using the term coach with 0 training. There are training programs for coaches, but the content, length & requirements vary broadly. You will need to look at the specific training the individual has to know what experience they have.
I will not be focusing on your past history, but instead on building skills for your mindfulness of the present moment & what's going on in your body (sensation, posture, breath) as a way to create tools for you in your day-to-day life.
Will you be diagnosing me?
I am trained to diagnose, but diagnosing is a part of a medical model that I have made great strides to move away from. I will be interested in any diagnosis you may have received, but that's not how I conceptualize how to support someone in their well-being.
Do I need to stop seeing my current mental health provider to see you?
No, if you are happy with who you are working with, there's no reason to end, from my point of view, & I'm happy to be a part of your healing team!
If you're trained as a psychotherapist, why are you not offering psychotherapy?
I have offered psychotherapy (in Colorado) for many years, but have found that when I free myself up from that label, I can bring many of the other helpful elements into my sessions.
Do you take insurance?
No, taking insurance requires working within the medical model, which is not ideal for the type of processes I offer to clients. For insurance to cover mental health services, you'd have a diagnosis added to your medical records.
What's up with your fee?
Having my fees at $190 ensures that I schedule fewer clients weekly & show up for you in a present & effective way. If you've ever gone to a burnt-out therapist, you'll understand the difference.
How often do I need to make my appointments?
Weekly is best to keep the thread of the work. I generally give clients a "spot" & we move appointment times, if needed & as available. I also take regular weeks off for retreat practice & training, which will create some weeks "off."
Is this bodywork or energy work like Reiki or massage?
No, I am trained in Reiki, but I do not offer hands-on bodywork.
Why do you require a minimum # of sessions in some of your pathways?
For the entry pathway I require a minimum # of sessions to feel into if we work together well & to establish a "good fit." The SSP requires a certain amount of sessions because there are 10 listening sessions.
Can't I just learn techniques on TikTok, YouTube or a meditation app?
Maybe some things you can find on an app if you'd like to randomly choose things and hope they work for you. My experience is that most people don't really know what they are looking for or what would help their situation & end up wasting time & energy.
Another way to think about it is...if you want to learn Jazz Dance (which requires a lot of technique) you could watch a video on Youtube & learn some things, you could take a Jazz dance class & learn even more or you could work with a dance instructor 1-on-1 & likely progress well with practice & individualized help from your teacher.
Essential to human healing is connection & relationship. Learning something new is great (usually), but it's the experiential that creates change. There's very little that compares to being attuned to by a real person in real-time.
I've tried a lot of things, why is this different?
I make no promises, but I've helped many clients over the years who are coming to me after seeing other practitioners with little progress or hitting a wall after a period of healing. Also, I am likely to recommend complimentary modalities I think might support you, because most people need more than one person on "their healing team."
I have a hard time connecting with my body & I'm afraid of what I might find there. If I do this work, will I relive or find trauma?
I am highly trained to work with anything that may surface in a session. This work moves at the pace of your body. We do not force anything in sessions.
Why do you offer Astrology?
Astrology was my first vehicle to help people know themselves better & it can be an incredible short-cut to getting to the heart of a matter. I'm a very skilled astrologer & I do not engage in predictive astrology. Astrology can be included in any pathway, but can simply be for my information if you don't want to explore it.
Can I see you online?
I take some clients online if it seems like it would be workable. Let's talk :)
What's the difference in these mental health terms?
Counselor: a broadly used term, you'll need to look at credentials & education to know how someone is using this title.
Psychotherapist: a term that is usually used by individuals who have completed a Master's degree in Counseling Psychotherapy or Social Work. Sometimes those who also get their PhD will continue to use this term. Someone using this term is also likely to be licensed in their state of practice or to use a label such as "unlicensed psychotherapist" if they have the education, but are in the process of completing licensing requirements.
Psychologist: this term usually indicates someone who has reached PhD level & who may have engaged in specific research or continues to contribute to research. Licensing varies by state for clinical or counseling psychologists, so you'll need to look at training & education to know exactly what training this person has.
Psychiatrist: this term indicates a medical degree & the only level of mental health professional who prescribes medication. Psychiatrists often don't offer counseling or therapy, but some do.
Coach: coaches are not licensed or regulated. There's nothing to stop anyone from using the term coach with 0 training. There are training programs for coaches, but the content, length & requirements vary broadly. You will need to look at the specific training the individual has to know what experience they have.
