Let’s Connect

 It’s a big step to reach out for help.

Finding the right therapist for your needs can be a daunting process. I am happy to offer a free 15-minute consultation to learn more about what you are looking for and see if I am the right therapist for you. To schedule your consultation, please call my office at 706-426-1913 or fill out the contact form below.

Your privacy is important to me. Please do not include confidential information regarding your health condition on this form. This form is for general inquiries/messages. It is not intended for emergency communications. Please allow 24-48 business hours for a reply. I look forward to speaking with you!

 What can I expect during my first session?

Our first appointment is an opportunity for me to learn more about you. While learning about you will be an ongoing process, the first session will allow me to gather information about your unique history and concerns. During this time, we will develop an initial plan for your therapy catered to your specific needs. As a therapist, I believe collaboration is key, and seek to create a unique and individualized therapy experience for you. You will see more success in therapy if you are actively involved in determining your goals and plan of care. This plan of treatment will be a “living document” that we adjust as needed depending on your needs and progress.

Are longer sessions an option?

The standard meeting time for psychotherapy is 50-55 minutes. However, if you would like to schedule an extended session, that option is available to you. This may be particularly helpful for EMDR sessions.

Do you accept insurance?

I do not accept insurance.  There are a few reasons for this.  The first is your confidentiality.  As your therapist, your privacy is one of my highest priorities.  When you use your insurance company to pay for your therapy services, your insurance company has the right to view your health record (including notes from your therapy sessions) and requires that you be given a mental health diagnosis which goes on your permanent health record.  Some people seek therapy when they are going through a difficult time that is situational (grief, life transitions, etc.), and do not necessarily want to receive a diagnosis regarding these concerns.  When you pay for therapy services out of pocket, no such diagnosis is required, and your privacy is maintained as records of your therapy services are only seen by me.

The second is quality of care and being able to provide highly individualized treatment.  When you use your insurance company for therapy, your insurance company has the final say and dictates what therapy and types of treatment will be covered and how many sessions will be covered.  Covered treatment may or may not be in alignment with what you feel is best for you.  By not accepting payment from insurance companies, you and I are afforded the freedom of determining what it is you feel would be most helpful to you in the therapy setting (including couples/family sessions).

Third, as a systems therapist, I believe that none of us exist in a vacuum.  Because relationships are at the center of my treatment approaches, I do not believe it is helpful to pinpoint one person’s diagnosis as “the problem that needs to be fixed.”  This is especially counterproductive in couples and family therapy.  I believe that you (and the people in your most important relationships) are unique.  While you may have anxious tendencies, depressive tendencies, etc., you are ultimately a unique individual doing the best you can in your life circumstances.  I believe that the heart of therapy is exploring how you operate in your current circumstances and rearranging the pieces of the puzzle in a way that allows you and your relationships to thrive.

That being said, I do understand that sometimes people have reasons for wanting to use their insurance for mental health care, including financial reasons.  For some, receiving a diagnosis can bring clarity to longstanding struggles.  If you wish to seek reimbursement from your insurance company for our therapy sessions, please let me know and I will provide you with a Superbill.  A Superbill is a detailed receipt of therapy services, which includes a mental health diagnosis.  You may submit Superbills to your insurance company to receive some reimbursement for your sessions, depending on your insurance benefits. Please note that it is your choice if you want to pursue insurance reimbursement, and you as the client will be responsible for checking your out-of-network benefits and submitting claims/superbills to your insurance company.