Frequently asked questions.

I'm glad you're here. If you're feeling unsure about starting therapy or just want to know what to expect, you're not alone. Below you'll find answers to common questions — and if something’s not covered, feel free to reach out.

What can I expect in our first session?

We focus on building safety and clarity. I’ll ask about your hopes, patterns, and experiences. You don’t have to share anything you're not ready to—this is a space we shape together.

Do you offer virtual therapy?

Yes, I see clients across Maryland via secure telehealth.

Who do you typically work with?

I work best with high-functioning adults who feel stuck in overfunctioning, perfectionism, or emotional burnout—especially those with unresolved trauma or people-pleasing patterns.

What are your fees and do you take insurance?

A typical 50-minute therapy session is $175. I’m in-network with Aetna and United Healthcare through Headway, which also manages my billing and insurance claims for those clients.

If you're using out-of-network benefits, I can provide a superbill you can submit to your insurance provider for potential reimbursement. Many clients are able to get a portion of their sessions covered this way, depending on their plan.

If you have questions about insurance, billing, or using Headway, I’m happy to help you figure out what might work best.

How do I know if therapy is right for me?

If you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck in patterns that aren’t working, or like you’re holding everything together on the outside while struggling internally — therapy might be a good place to start.

You don’t need to be in crisis or have it “bad enough” to seek support. Many of the people I work with are high-functioning, thoughtful adults who are tired of carrying so much on their own. Therapy can offer space to slow down, explore what’s beneath the surface, and build a more compassionate relationship with yourself.

If you’re curious, uncertain, or just feeling the pull for something to shift, that’s more than enough reason to reach out.

Getting Started

  • You’re welcome to reach out through my contact form to get started. If you’d like to schedule a free 15-minute consultation first, I’m happy to offer that — it’s a chance to talk briefly about what you’re looking for and see if we feel like a good fit.

    If you already know you'd like to begin, we can skip the consult and move straight into scheduling your first session. Either way, I’ll guide you through the next steps.

  • Our consultation is a short, low-pressure conversation. I’ll ask a few questions about what’s bringing you in, share a little about how I work, and leave space for you to ask anything that’s on your mind. You don’t need to prepare — just show up as you are.

  • I do my best to keep a few openings for new clients, though availability can vary. Feel free to reach out — if I’m full, I’m happy to provide referrals or let you know when a spot might open up.

  • Once we schedule your first session, I’ll send over secure digital intake forms through my client portal on Simple Practice. These help me get to know you a bit before we meet and include basic info, consent forms, and a few questions to guide our work. I ask folx to do their best to get these over to me the day before we start so we can make our time together as effective as possible.

  • Most clients begin with weekly sessions to build momentum and consistency. We can always revisit the pace based on what’s happening in your life, your goals, and what feels sustainable.

My Approach

  • My work is rooted in trauma-informed, mindfulness-based care. I draw from several approaches — including EMDR, DBT, parts work (like IFS), and somatic awareness — depending on your needs and goals.

    I work relationally, meaning our connection is an important part of the process. I see therapy as a collaborative space where your inner knowing is just as valuable as my clinical training.

  • I specialize in supporting adults who feel overwhelmed, anxious, and like they’re holding it all together on the outside while struggling internally. Many of my clients are high-functioning, deeply thoughtful, and exhausted from overfunctioning in a world that hasn’t always supported them.

    I often work with trauma (past and present), perfectionism, burnout, identity exploration, and nervous system regulation. I also have extensive experience supporting LGBTQ+ and TGNB folks, especially those navigating complex trauma and systemic stressors.

  • Sessions are spacious, collaborative, and attuned to what you’re carrying. Some days you might want to talk things through, others you may feel drawn to pause, notice your body, or explore something through EMDR or parts work.

    You don’t need to come with an agenda — our work unfolds gently, with attention to both your emotional needs and your nervous system’s capacity. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe enough to soften.

  • EMDR is a powerful approach that helps process trauma and distressing memories, but it’s always tailored to your pace and needs. While EMDR does involve structured phases, I blend the protocol with a trauma-informed, compassionate style that honors your readiness and safety.

    We’ll move through the work collaboratively, checking in regularly to make sure you feel supported. You’re in control of how much we do and when — there’s no pressure to “complete” a phase on a strict timeline.

    Many clients find EMDR to be a gentle way to access healing without needing to talk through every detail verbally, which can feel relieving and empowering.

  • DBT, or Dialectical Behavior Therapy, offers practical skills for managing emotions, setting boundaries, and coping with stress. In my practice, I use DBT-informed techniques flexibly—tailoring them to your unique experience rather than following a rigid program.

    You won’t be required to attend skills groups or complete homework unless that feels helpful to you. Instead, we’ll explore and practice tools that resonate with you, helping you build resilience and self-compassion at your own pace.

  • You’re not alone in feeling that way. Many people come to therapy carrying the weight of past experiences where they felt unheard, unseen, or like they had to educate their therapist about their identity or pain.

    Here, you will find an active partner in care. My approach is grounded in deep listening, respect, and affirmation — especially around identity, trauma, and the pressures of overfunctioning. I strive to create a space where you feel genuinely seen, safe, and empowered to bring your whole self without fear of judgment or misunderstanding.

    Therapy with me isn’t about just talking at a wall; it’s a collaborative process where insight, compassion, and healing happen together, at your pace.

Gender-Affirming Care

  • Yes — and not just “yes, I’m open to it,” but yes, this is central to my work. I have deep experience working with trans, nonbinary, and gender-expansive adults navigating identity, trauma, anxiety, medical transitions, and the ongoing toll of systemic harm.

    You won’t have to explain or educate me about the basics of your identity — and if there’s something personal you want to share, I’ll meet it with curiosity, respect, and care.

  • Yes. I offer letters of support for gender-affirming medical care through a collaborative and respectful process that centers your goals and autonomy. My approach draws on clinical expertise and is informed by — but not bound to — WPATH guidelines.

    We’ll talk through what you need, and I’ll work to ensure the letter reflects both your experience and what’s required for your provider or insurance company.

    Depending on your goals and readiness, letters may be available after a single session or after a longer period of working together. I'm always mindful of my role as a potential gatekeeper, and I aim to reduce unnecessary friction in accessing the care you already know is right for you.

  • That’s sadly all too common, and something I take seriously. Many of my clients have shared experiences of being misunderstood, misgendered, or feeling like they had to teach their providers how to show up.

    My hope is that this space feels different — where your identity is affirmed, your voice is respected, and you don’t have to shrink or explain yourself to be supported.

Logistics & Policies

  • Most sessions last between 50 and 55 minutes — long enough to engage in meaningful work while keeping the time manageable so it doesn’t feel overwhelming or exhausting. This length helps create a focused, supportive space that respects your time and energy.

  • I’m a private-pay therapist who accepts insurance through Headway, which manages billing and claims for in-network clients with Aetna and United Healthcare. For out-of-network clients, I provide superbills that you can submit for possible reimbursement.

    I accept payment via credit/debit card including HSA or FSA cards and electronic bank transfer through my secure billing systems. If you have questions about insurance coverage, payment methods, or billing, I’m happy to help you figure out what works best.

  • I provide HIPAA-secure telehealth sessions through SimplePractice, a trusted platform designed to keep your information private and our sessions confidential.

  • I ask for at least 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule a session. This helps me keep my schedule open for others who might be waiting and respects the time we’ve set aside for you. Late cancellations or missed sessions may be charged in full.

  • While I’m not able to provide emergency or immediate crisis support outside of our scheduled sessions, I want you to know I’m here for you and will respond to messages within 24 business hours.

    In our work together, we’ll create self-care tools and plans to help you feel more grounded between sessions and respond to moments of emotional intensity. And if you ever need more urgent care, I’ll work with you in finding the right resources to keep you safe and supported.

Telehealth

  • Yes. All sessions are conducted through a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform designed specifically for mental health care. I take your privacy seriously and follow all ethical and legal standards to protect your confidentiality.

  • Many people are surprised by how connected and grounded online therapy can feel. While it’s a different format, the heart of the work remains the same: a space for you to be seen, supported, and understood. We’ll check in regularly to make sure the format is meeting your needs.

  • We’ll talk together about how to create as much privacy as possible — whether that means using headphones, sitting in your car, or using a white noise machine outside your door. Many clients find creative ways to make telehealth work even in shared spaces.

  • Nope — you’ll receive a secure video link before each session. Just click to join from your computer, tablet, or phone. If anything doesn’t work smoothly, I’m happy to help troubleshoot or adjust.

  • If connection issues happen, we’ll have a backup plan — often switching to phone for the remainder of the session. It’s okay if things aren’t perfect. We’ll stay flexible and focused on what supports you best.

  • Because I’m licensed in Maryland, you’ll need to be physically located within the state at the time of our sessions — but that can be your home, your office, a friend’s house or anywhere private. If you're traveling within Maryland, we can still meet virtually.

Results & Progress

  • Therapy is a deeply personal journey, so the length varies based on your goals, needs, and life circumstances. There is no right or wrong duration of therapy. Some clients find meaningful shifts in just a handful of sessions, while others engage in longer-term work to build new ways of relating to themselves and the world.

  • Progress isn’t always linear — it might show up as small moments of self-compassion, clearer boundaries, or a deeper sense of safety in your body and mind. Sometimes it feels like breakthroughs; other times, it’s simply showing up and doing the work consistently.

  • You might notice feeling a bit lighter, more able to manage anxiety, or gaining new perspectives on old patterns. We’ll check in regularly to talk about what’s helpful and adjust our approach as needed. Your experience and feedback guide the pace and focus of our work.