Frequently Asked Questions

People often have  questions before starting therapy. I’d like to answer the most common questions here, to reduce stress or anxiety you may have about seeking counseling.

How can therapy help me?

Participating in therapy offers myriad benefits. Counselors can provide insight and help you find relief for depression, anxiety, or relationship problems. Counseling can help you learn to handle troubled children. Therapy is extremely valuable for managing personal growth, relationships, and the more challenging aspects of life.

What happens during therapy?

I will guide you through the process of learning from the past to solve problems in the present. We will do this by discussing the things currently happening in your life that are causing personal or relationship  issues, in addition to past experiences that may have contributed.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is a critical component of counseling. What you discuss with me is strictly confidential not only by professional conduct standards, but also the Alabama Statutes. By law, I cannot release any of your health information without your written consent. However, there are a few exceptions. If your therapist suspects someone is being abused or neglected we are mandated to report it to the appropriate authorities. This applies to both adult and child therapy. If your therapist suspects that you are in danger of harming yourself or another person, it is their legal responsibility to report it to the appropriate authorities.

How frequently do I need to see my therapist?

In the beginning, it is common to attend therapy once a week. If you commit to once a week therapy, you should begin to see some improvements within the first 2 months. Typically, children require about 6 weeks of therapy, unless the issue is severe, such as trauma or loss of a loved one. Therapy surrounding divorce can take a bit longer to help the child and, usually, the parent or parents process what is a true loss.

What are payment options and fees?

I accept cash, checks, and credit cards of all types. My rate is $105-$130 per 50 minute therapy session. Attending your therapy as scheduled is very important for successfully reaching your therapeutic goals. Your appointment is reserved exclusively for you, and time is blocked out for you in my appointment book. Therefore, missed sessions and cancellations or reschedules received within 48 hours of your appointment time  will be subject to full charge. You must provide a credit or debit card to secure an appointment, but it will not be run until your appointment time. I process cards with Ivy Pay, a HIPAA compliant credit card service exclusively for therapists.