I offer individual therapy for general concerns such as depression, anxiety, stress and other wellness issues as well as couple’s therapy focusing on relationship concerns and sexual difficulties, including:

  • Sexuality through addiction work
  • Sexual drive disparity between partners
  • Arousal problems, including erectile dysfunction (ED)
  • Orgasmic difficulties such as lack of orgasm, rapid or delayed ejaculation
  • Painful intercourse, and other pain related sexual difficulties
  • Relationship and/or sexual difficulties related to trauma
  • Gender concerns
  • Cancer survivors’ or medically created sexual difficulties
  • Problematic sexual behavior or Out-of-Control Sexual Behaviors
  • Healing after an affair
  • Internet issues
  • LGBTQIA concerns
  • Alternative sexual lifestyles
  • Kink
  • sex addiction or compulsive behavior
  • polyamorous relationships

I invite you to read more about what I do. Or just call and set up an appointment to get started making changes.

Is therapy or coaching right for me?

Using therapy or coaching as a resource is an individual choice. People come to therapy for many reasons. Some enrich their lives by using therapy for personal exploration and growth. Others come when faced with challenges such as divorce or work transition. Many use therapy as an anchor during times of grief. Sometimes it is to reduce the impact of long-standing issues or to manage anxiety or depression. Partnering with a therapist can help provide understanding, support, and new strategies for facing life’s challenges. Therapy is a positive choice for anyone interested in getting the most out of their life by taking responsibility, growing in self-awareness, and working toward positive change.

I can usually handle my problems. Do I really need therapy or coaching?

Life has difficult moments of change, loss, and grief. Even positive change can increase stress. While you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties, there’s nothing wrong with seeking extra support when you need it. Therapy is a valuable resource for people who are taking responsibility for their lives and making a commitment to grow in spite of, and sometimes because of the challenges. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired.

How can therapy and coaching help?

There are a number of benefits from participating in therapy or coaching. Many people find that it is a tremendous asset in managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, couple issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists bring a fresh perspective on difficult problems. What you gain from therapy depends on your investment in the process and your willingness to put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits include:

. •a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
. •improved relationship skills
. •learning new ways to handle stress and anxiety
. 
•improved sexual communication and expression
. •managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
. •improved communication and listening skills
. •changing harmful or negative behavior patterns
. •discovering new ways to solve family or couple problems
. •improved self-awareness and self-confidence
.

What is therapy and coaching like?

Every therapist is different and unique. Sessions are focused on discussing the primary concerns in your life and your identified goals as an individual, couple, or family. The pace of therapy is important. It is common to schedule a series of weekly sessions lasting about an hour. However, sessions may be scheduled less often and/or for 90 minutes after the goals have been identified. Therapy can be brief, focusing on a specific issue, or longer for more complex issues or ongoing personal growth.

You most likely will be asked to do work outside sessions, such as reading a relevant book or recording specific behavior patterns. It is important to process what has been discussed and to integrate it into your life between sessions. Most of my clients come wanting change and with that desire to change comes behaviors that need to be adjusted.

Therapy and coaching is most effective when you are willing to take responsibility for your actions, work toward greater self-awareness, and are an active participant during and between sessions. I will provide an atmosphere of respect, compassion, and understanding for you as you identify work areas and celebrate strengths.

Is medication a substitute for therapy?

It is well established that the long-term solution to emotional and mental problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved by medication alone. In some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action. Working with your medical doctor can help determine what’s best for you. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the source of our distress and the behavior patterns that limit our progress. You can best achieve and sustain growth and a greater sense of well-being by working on the problem’s source as well as the symptoms.

Is therapy and coaching confidential?

When you see a licensed mental health provider all issues discussed in the course of therapy are strictly confidential. By law, information concerning treatment may be released only with the written consent of the client(s). However the law requires the release of confidential information in the following situations: suspected child abuse; potential suicidal behavior; inability to care for one’s own basic needs; or threatened harm to another. In addition, in certain select circumstances, the court may subpoena treatment records.

Do you accept insurance?

I would be considered an out-of-network provider for all insurance companies.

Currently I am a participating out-of-network PPO provider for Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

I am glad to discuss what your insurance benefits are with you. But it helps if you call them and clarify what they are so that you have a good idea otherwise I am a “fee-for-service” provider. I will be happy to provide you with a receipt to submit to your insurance company should you want to request reimbursement. It is the client’s responsibility to complete all required paperwork. I will diagnose clients when ethical and appropriate.

Note: Using your insurance company for therapy can open up your private life to public arenas where laws governing confidentiality do not apply. Insurance companies require an individual mental disorder diagnosis even when the focus of therapy is on the couple or family. This diagnosis goes on the client’s permanent file and may affect your ability to obtain future insurance. They also limit the amount and quality of your care, and may make the intimate details of your life available to third parties. I want to offer services that will meet your needs and not the mandates of insurance companies. I value your privacy and confidentiality in the therapeutic process and therefore prefer that your mental health concerns do not become a part of your insurance company’s records. This is your choice.

Rates
$200-$250 per session

Payment
Fees are payable at the beginning of each session. I accept cash, local personal check, and credit card payments (Visa, Mastercard, American Express).

Cancellation Policy
Please give at least 48 hours notice in advance if you cannot attend a scheduled appointment. Failure to attend a scheduled appointment or to give at least 48 hours advance notice may result in being billed for the session at the full rate.

Schedule
To schedule an therapy appointment or to obtain additional information about any of these counseling services, please call 816-885-2526.