FAQ

To make your first appointment, click the Book an Appointment button, or click here

Or, call me and let’s schedule it together over the phone.

Yes. I am available for sessions over the phone or through a secure video platform.

Generally, I work with kids who are at least 7 or 8 years old. I also work with lots of pre-teens, teens, young adults, and adults of all ages. Most of my clients, though, are between the ages of about 10-25.

I also enjoy working with families or groups of people.

Awesome question! When we enter my office, make yourself comfortable on a lovely couch. In your first session, we’ll start by going over the paperwork and ensuring everything is in order. You’ll have a chance to ask any questions you’d like. I’ll also go over all the aspects of the counseling process and tell you what we’ll do in our first session.

Once you’re ready, relax and let’s get to know each other. I believe the first session is not just about getting to know you, but also you becoming comfortable with me.

I will ask you several questions about your life and history. My goal is that by the end of the first session, you’ll feel like I “get it” and understand you and your life better. Another goal is that you feel like I’m less of a stranger. So please sit back, relax, and give me honest answers!

I am always open to talk about whatever is necessary to YOU. I may have a direction in mind, but each session is a conversation… and I am most interested in what is on your mind.

If you have no idea what to talk about – or have a hard time bringing up topics – that’s ok; I do this for a living… I will make you comfortable, and we’ll indeed find topics to discuss.

I do lots of listening and provide feedback and insight, hopefully helping you move in a positive direction toward peace in your life. I challenge you to share whatever is important for me to know about your experience and history, but I won’t force you to talk about anything you don’t want to discuss.

It’s entirely your choice how much you share with me.

Another excellent question! It depends on your needs. If you are actively suicidal, engaging in self-harm, or some precarious situation in life, you will come more often than someone who is not. But let me try to answer the question. I have found that many people do very well coming to counseling about every two weeks.

In the beginning, you should probably come every week. Then, when you start improving, we can space out your appointments to once every two or three weeks, for example. If I feel you need to come more often, I will let you know. At the end of the first session, I will feel how often you should come to counseling and let you know my thoughts!

That depends on the person and the issues with which you are dealing. Some people only come for 3-4 sessions, while others come for many sessions. It’s up to you and me to agree on an appropriate number of sessions for you.

If you are not benefiting from counseling, you can stop at any time. Of course, this is not the goal or expectation. Let’s talk together and expect that you will fully experience improvement before we say goodbye!

These are questions that many Christians and non-Christians alike have about working with me. I work with people from all different walks of life.

My job is to help you, whatever your faith (or lack of faith) may be. If you would like to talk about God or incorporate Christianity into your counseling, I’m happy to do so! But if you do not want to discuss faith, I will fully respect that. It will always be your decision.

Important question! My preference is to talk with parents for the first half of the session or so. I must have the involvement of at least one parent at the first session.

I will ask the parents all about the child’s life and history. Afterward, we’ll bring the child/teen into the session with the parents. Together, we will go over confidentiality and see if there are any questions.

Then, if the minor is comfortable, I’ll ask the parents to leave. Sometimes, teenagers – especially older ones – hate the idea of parents talking about him or her without being present. If everyone agrees, I can speak with the parents and adolescents all together.

That can still work with the following things to consider. Your participation throughout the counseling process is essential. If you are a single parent, I still require your ex’s consent to treat the minor child.

However, if you have sole legal custody and can produce paperwork indicating that you do, I do not need consent from your ex. There are also some other special situations where I may be able to work with your child.

Please contact me and ask if you think you have a special situation or are simply unsure. It’s ok; this stuff can be confusing!

For the first session, at least one parent must be present and available for the entire session. For future sessions, if your child is old enough and mature enough, he/she can come to counseling without the parent present in the waiting room.

However, the parent should communicate this with me to know you are not planning to be around. Generally, a rule of thumb is the older the teenager, the more likely he can come to counseling without a parent.

Learn more about Beach Sessions.

A sliding scale means that the counselor is willing to lower his client’s rate in financial need. Yes, I will consider a sliding scale on a case-by-case basis if there is room in my caseload for more clients paying a reduced rate.

If you can demonstrate that you have financial difficulties, I will try to work with you to reduce my rate. I believe everyone should be able to come to counseling, regardless of their financial situation.

Please do not request a reduced rate if you can otherwise afford therapy and are only looking for a good deal.

Currently, I am in-network with United/Optum.

Several months ago, I applied to Aetna, Magellan [part of Blue Shield], and TRICARE. I am still awaiting a response from these companies.

I am considered out-of-network for other insurance plans.

You should not come in for a session if you do not feel well. If that is the case, please notify me, and we can always choose to have the session remotely via telehealth. If you are healthy – and those you’ve been around have been healthy – you are welcome to come to the office for a session or choose a Beach Session.

It is accessible to social distance in my office. You can position yourself on the couch to be six feet away from me. If you are uncomfortable coming to a session in-person due to the virus, you can always request a phone or video session.

In 2019, outside of Cancún, Mexico, I went swimming with whale sharks. There were close to 100 of them in the immediate area around our little boat. One would swim right by me, and then another would be right behind him. The tail was longer than my entire body. They were just… awesome.

If you want to hear scuba diving stories, ask me!