Frequently Asked Questions

+ What should I expect on my first appointment?

Before the first appointment, you will have the option for a free 15-minute phone consultation to answer any questions you may have about me as a Therapist or the counseling process. At your first appointment, the goal will be to begin building rapport and trust as well as helping me understand your reason for coming to counseling, the history of the problem, and the goals you want to accomplish. Your first appointment will typically last 50-60 minutes with your subsequent sessions lasting between 45-50 minutes. Sessions are scheduled at a frequency to meet the client or couple’s individual needs.

+ What is the goal of counseling?

The hope for all of my clients is that our relationship would be used to bring an end to their pain or decrease the symptoms they are experiencing. The counseling relationship is not intended to be lifelong. The goal is to define your personalized goals at our first meeting and work on these goals until you are satisfied with your progress. This looks different for every client. This may look like a decrease in depressive symptoms, working through a tough life transition, an increase in the structure, nurture, or connection in the parent-child relationship, or increased trust and safety within the marital couple.

+ Is counseling confidential?

As a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in private practice, I must abide by my board’s laws and ethics. In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a Therapist and client. No information is disclosed without the prior written approval of the client. However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule.

Exceptions include:

· Suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse. I would be required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.

· If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. I would be required to notify the police and the intended party if possible.

· If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The counselor will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, additional measures may need to be taken to ensure their safety if an individual does not cooperate.

+ What is play therapy?

Play therapy is an expressive form of counseling for children, using play and toys to communicate their needs with a trained mental health professional. Children communicate through play, so play therapy is designed to use play as their language within the therapeutic context. As a Registered Play Therapist, I use child-centered play therapy techniques to meet children where they are to work through any troubles such as parent’s divorce, anxiety/fears, grief, adjustment, or social struggles. Play therapy is typically used for ages 3-12 to better express themselves and solve their problems.

+ How does payment work?

Clients can pay for sessions through private pay options or utilizing their insurance provider.

I accept the following insurance providers: BCBS of Alabama, New Directions, AllKids, and American Behavioral. It is ultimately the client’s responsibility to ensure full payment of services, whether directly to the Therapist or utilizing their insurance carriers. Please note that we are not liable for checking and relaying each individual benefit prior to the counseling appointment. You can retrieve this benefit information by calling the customer service line for mental health/behavioral health on the back of your insurance card. A credit card is required to be on file for all clients to ensure prompt payment at the time of service. If you would like to submit your sessions to insurance privately, we will be happy to supply you with a Super Bill.

+ How soon can I book an appointment?

It is my goal to get you a scheduled appointment as quickly as possible; however, being flexible with the day and times needed for appointments will help you get an appointment more quickly.

Please click the button below if you are interested in scheduling your first appointment.