Frequently Asked Questions

  • My training is rooted in psychodynamic psychotherapy, an approach that recognizes that our early relationships, life experiences, and patterns outside of our conscious awareness continue to shape how we experience ourselves and others today.

    Often, we find ourselves repeating the same relationship dynamics, getting stuck in familiar emotional loops, or reacting in ways that don't fully make sense, even to us. Together, we'll explore the parts of your story that have shaped you, the protective strategies you've developed over time, and how those strategies may be helping or hindering you today.

    I believe that insight is profoundly healing. When we begin to understand ourselves more deeply, we gain something incredibly powerful: choice. Rather than reacting from old patterns, we become freer to respond in ways that feel more intentional, authentic, and aligned with the life we want to live.

    At the same time, I recognize that most people don't come to therapy simply because they want insight. They come because they are hurting. They feel stuck, anxious, overwhelmed, disconnected, or exhausted. They want relief now, not just a better understanding of why they feel the way they do.

    For that reason, psychodynamic therapy provides the foundation for my work, but it is not the only tool I use. I draw from a variety of evidence-based approaches when they are helpful, always tailoring my work to the person sitting across from me rather than asking them to fit neatly into one model of therapy. Sometimes that means helping you understand a longstanding pattern. Sometimes it means teaching a practical strategy that helps you get through a difficult week. More often than not, it means doing both.

    I don't believe therapy has to choose between depth and practicality. The most meaningful work often happens when we can understand the roots of our suffering while also finding ways to suffer a little less today. My hope is that therapy helps you make sense of your story, feel more connected to yourself and the people you love, and leave each session with both greater understanding and something tangible to carry into the rest of your life.

  • Therapy is, above all else, a relationship. Trust, safety, and respect are the foundation of meaningful therapeutic work — without these, healing becomes much harder to access.

    Before scheduling a first session, we will have a brief phone consultation to get to know one another. I’ll learn more about what brings you to therapy, what you’re hoping to change or understand, and how I might be able to help. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask any questions about my approach and what working together might look like.

    If we decide to move forward, we will schedule a weekly standing appointment. I encourage you to give the process a few sessions; trust and safety are not built overnight, and it is completely normal for it to take time to feel comfortable opening up.

    And sometimes, despite our best efforts, the fit simply isn’t right — and that’s okay. Finding the right therapist matters. If I don’t feel I am the best person to support you, I will be honest and provide referrals to clinicians who may better meet your needs. My goal is not for you to stay with me at all costs; my goal is for you to find the support that helps you move toward the life you want.

  • During our first few sessions, I will spend time getting to know you more deeply. We’ll explore your history, your current challenges, your relationships, your patterns of coping, and what you hope to gain from therapy.

    You may notice that these early sessions feel a bit more structured and that I ask a lot of questions. Think of this as us building a map together before beginning the journey — I want to understand where you’ve been so we can thoughtfully explore where you want to go.

    Once we have a fuller understanding of your story, sessions will become more open-ended and guided by what feels most important in the moment. This time is yours. I hold this space with care and invite you to bring whatever is present: thoughts, feelings, questions, fears, frustrations, joys, or even the things that feel difficult to say out loud.

    Some weeks you may arrive knowing exactly what you want to talk about. Other weeks, you may sit down and say, “I have no idea what I need to talk about today.” Both are valuable starting points.

  • As much as we might wish therapy came with dramatic music, perfectly timed revelations, and a single life-changing conversation, real healing is usually a little less cinematic.

    Not every session will lead to a breakthrough. Life is messy. Healing is not linear. Some sessions may feel profound; others may simply feel like we are noticing, practicing, and understanding something a little more deeply than before.

    I think of therapy as heart work — gently exploring the parts of ourselves that may feel tender, confusing, surprising, or even contradictory. The parts that feel raw, funny, sad, angry, loving, jealous, protective, or afraid. When we slow down enough to listen inwardly, we often discover things about ourselves that have been waiting to be understood.

    You and I are a team, approaching those tender places with curiosity, compassion, and care.

  • Sometimes therapy makes you feel better right away. Sometimes, surprisingly, it makes you feel a little worse before you feel better.

    Many of us spend years developing strategies to help us survive difficult emotions, relationships, and experiences. These strategies often served an important purpose — they helped us get through. But sometimes the very things that once protected us begin to limit us.

    As we start to gently examine these patterns and move closer to the root of our pain, it is normal to feel more vulnerable, unsettled, or unsure for a time. It can feel a bit like opening a closet you’ve avoided for years — things may look messier before they become organized.

    This discomfort is not a sign that therapy is failing. Often, it is the place where deeper understanding, growth, and lasting change begin.

  • I am an out-of-network provider, meaning I do not bill insurance directly. However, I will provide you with a monthly superbill that you may submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement, depending on your specific plan and benefits.

    Because every insurance plan is different, I encourage you to contact your provider directly to understand your out-of-network coverage, reimbursement rates, and any requirements for submitting claims.