Got questions about THerapy?

how do i schedule a therapy appointment?

I offer everyone who inquires about therapy a free 15-minute phone consultation call to see if we would make a good match. The best way to do this is to fill out the Contact form. You can also call me at 774-314-1867 and leave a voicemail. I do my best to return all inquiries within 1-2 business days. Please note I do not work on Fridays or weekends.

Where do sessions take place & What is online therapy?

Sessions can occur in person, in my office at the Felter’s Mill in Millbury, MA. We offer ample free parking - so don’t worry for those of you with parking anxiety! My office is 15 minutes from downtown Worcester.

Masks are not required at this time.

Sessions can also occur via video appointment, a.k.a Telehealth, or virtual therapy. Telehealth is a HIPAA-compliant, confidential audio/video platform that allows clients to access behavioral health treatments from home. You will need a reliable wifi source, laptop/computer, microphone & camera, and confidential space to talk to access telehealth sessions. Telehealth is an excellent alternative to in-person sessions.

Can you see people who don't live in Worcester County?

Yes, only if they reside in the state of my practice, Massachusetts. Due to licensure, I cannot see clients out of state.

What can I expect at the first therapy appointment & subsequent appointments?

Before your initial appointment, you will receive a secure link to my confidential client portal where you will complete a paperless intake. If you are accessing therapy through telehealth, you will receive an email with a secure link to your video appointment 72 hours before your appointment and also a text message 15 minutes before your appointment.

Initial intake appointments are typically 60 minutes. They include a review of my practice policies and procedures, some of your background history, and a discussion about your best hopes for therapy. Therapy works best when we see what brings you in and what you'd like to work on.

From there, we will decide how often we meet for sessions. Ideally, we are meeting weekly as I have found that this gives us the right amount of momentum we need to start than meeting your goals & making progress.

Who do you work with in therapy?

I primarily work with adults ages 18 and older. I do my best work with folks ready to dive deeper into their feelings and past and are open to utilizing body-based interventions like mindfulness. My specialties are working with anxiety, stress, burnout, career burnout, infertility, miscarriage & loss, relationship/attachment challenges, trauma, PTSD, family of origin issues. I do not offer couples therapy at this time.

Will therapy help me?

Therapy is unique for each person. The client-therapist relationship is crucial to an individual's success and progress; it takes time to build trust. I often say, “you get out of therapy what you put in.” I find that clients who make the most progress enter therapy with an open mind and a willingness to work on themselves outside of sessions. It is also imperative that you attend consistently. People get the most out of therapy when participating weekly or every other week.

What is somatic therapy?

Too often, we use our “upstairs” brain to make sense of the world. It’s OK - It’s normal - It’s survival. If we can understand it, then it’s safe.

By also bringing awareness to our feelings and how we experience these feelings physically in our bodies, we can know what’s happening and what we need to move through that experience safely and healthily. Somatic therapy incorporates the body into the therapy conversation as a tool to help you move through uncomfortable feelings.

I have found throughout my clinical career the balance between cognitive and body-based tools; individuals can make the most of their healing.

How much does therapy cost?

• 15 min phone consultations are FREE

• Initial/Intake sessions are $200.

• 60 min Individual sessions are $200.

I am not in-network with any insurance companies. Not being in-network with insurance allows me to focus on your needs, not what is or isn’t covered by insurance.

Sessions are billed to your debit or credit card on the day of the session. FSA/HSA cards are accepted. I am happy to provide you with a detailed receipt of services to submit for reimbursement (a.k.a. a super bill).

My fee allows me to hold a select amount of slots to sliding scale clients. *Sliding scale slots are currently full for Winter 2023/2024*

will my health insurance cover therapy?

I am what insurance considers an “out-of-network” (OON) provider. Depending on your health insurance plan, you may be entitled to reimbursement through OON benefits. To find out about coverage through your plan, call the number on the back of your insurance card and ask:

• Do I have out-of-network benefits for mental health services provided via in-person and telehealth?

• What is my yearly deductible? Has it been met?

• What is the maximum reimbursement amount for the year?

• How many sessions per calendar year does my plan cover?

• How much does my insurance plan reimburse an out-of-network provider for CPT codes 90791, 90837, and 90834?

You are responsible for any payment your insurance does not cover during the session.

what are some of the benefits of seeing an out-of-network therapist?

While insurance can save you money, not everyone wants to use it for mental health services. Some reasons why folks prefer to see an out-of-network provider are:

• Privacy from their health insurance company.

• Having a high deductible plan.

• Not being limited to a certain amount of sessions per year.

• Getting highly personalized treatment not dictated by the insurance company.

Please be aware that insurance companies require a diagnosis for billing purposes when using out-of-network benefits. This diagnosis becomes part of your medical record.

what is your cancellation policy for missing therapy appointments?

I require you to reschedule or cancel your therapy appointment at least 48 hours before your appointment time. This is necessary because a time commitment is made and held exclusively for you. This also allows me to offer the slot to someone else who needs it. There is no penalty or fee for sessions canceled more than 48 hours in advance however, frequent rescheduling is an indication that something about therapy isn’t working and may result in terminating treatment.

No-shows and cancellations made less than 48 hours in advance will be automatically charged the session's total fee to the card on file. You forfeit your telehealth appointment if you fail to show up after 15 minutes and will be considered a no-show. Unforeseen emergencies are always considered.