Do you take insurance?
Yes. I am currently in network with Anthem/Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare/UMR, and Aetna.
I plan to pay out of pocket, what is your fee?
$140 per session. I can provide a super bill to submit to insurance if that is helpful and applicable. You can pay with a credit card on file or your health savings account.
What should I expect for our first session?
Before we meet I'll connect you with a service that allows confidential communication, a few questionnaires to fill out, and gets your payment/insurance on file. It's very user friendly. If you're seeing me virtually this is how you'll receive a link to our virtual meeting. Have yourself set up comfortably with the screen placed in front of you. If you are coming to the office, I'm located in Link Office Suites at 10255 Commerce Drive in Carmel. There is ample free parking. I'll give you a way to message me when you've arrived and I'll come find you for our first appointment.
It is normal to be nervous when meeting a new therapist for the first time! I'll be collaborating with you from the beginning to address your needs and make it a smooth process.
How long are sessions?
Typically 50-55 minutes including time at the end to discuss practical issues like scheduling and resources you might wish to refer to between sessions. I love providing materials for you to deepen your work if that is of interest to you.
How long will I be in therapy and how often will we meet?
Ideally at first we will meet weekly or biweekly in order to get a good, comfortable, creative relationship established so that we can address your needs as thoroughly as possible. We may continue this for some time or decide to space things out more. Some people have financial or time constraints to consider, so we'll discuss and see what makes the most sense. In terms of how long, that varies greatly. Some find it invaluable for self care, growth and awareness so they continue it for many years, while others may need to address a particular issue and then choose to take a break or end therapy. We'll figure all of this out together.
What is your background?
I took a circuitous route to this counseling career. My approach is informed by my life experience including a background in theater, teaching, public speaking, parenting, voracious reading and a lifelong love of learning. After having my own child, I was blown away by what an emotional journey it was to navigate the unknowns while pregnant and in the postpartum, and this lead me to help others do the same. I became a birth educator so I could share all the things I wish I'd known, while also helping others embrace their unknowns. Hundreds of families took my classes, (including Notre Dame professors, scholars, scientists, nurses, and many in the nearby Amish community) and I earned respect and gratitude from the local birth professionals who saw what a difference it made to work with confident and informed people. While I loved teaching, I wanted even more opportunities to go deep into what it means to be human. Around this time, a few dear friends and my wonderful husband began to suggest I might have an aptitude for counseling. I learned there was a great master's program available at IUSB, where I lived at the time. I never thought that's where my path was heading, but I figured taking one class to try it out couldn't hurt. Well, upon reading the first chapter of that first text book, I was hooked and have been ever since.
What is your experience in the mental health field?
I've worked with hundreds of adults of all ages with a wide variety of diagnoses and presenting issues. While in South Bend I counseled medical students, college students, women and non-binary folks in treatment for substance use disorders, and people recovering from birth trauma and PMADs (perinatal mood and anxiety disorders). I moved to Indianapolis in 2020 and began working in community mental health where I had the honor of serving clients with various issues including complex trauma, anxiety, mood disorders, attachment wounding, perinatal challenges and survivors of interpersonal violence and narcissistic abuse. I am now working full time in private practice.
What treatment methods and tools do you use?
My approach is integrative and grounded in an existential, person-centered yet practical approach. This means that big questions are asked about the meaning of life as well as the way we spend our time between sessions. We'll talk about the past, present and future. I value evidence-based information to inform the intuitive work that happens in therapy. Some theories and techniques I incorporate are narrative, Gestalt, IFS, DBT, CBT, solution-focused, mindfulness and EMDR (feel free to ask me about any of this, you don't need to know what all these letters mean!) But truly, I’m always learning, so it’s not unusual for me to try something new that isn’t on this list. What we do will be guided by your needs, and will likely evolve.
What's your vibe?
I will deeply care about you and the things that trouble you. I will be in awe of you when I witness your lightbulb moments and hear about the positive changes you are making. I may cry with you. I will definitely laugh with you and I might let some colorful language fly once we've gotten to know each other. I can be a little kooky but I think you'll find me grounded and practical as well. I tend to like all sorts of people and see the best in them. I also get "real" with folks if and when that is helpful. Some really like it when the therapist tells it to them straight, and I do that, but I'm thoughtful and attuned to when that is helpful v. when it's more powerful to explore.