I view my role in the counseling process as a “fellow traveler” on the very same road. I absolutely adore what I do, and my intention is to help you figure out your own answers. Talking with someone who really hears you- and helps you to hear yourself- often leads to different ways of interpreting and being in the world that provide relief and joy. Things can and do get better. I believe this, I have lived this, and I have watched others experience this.

After getting my Masters in 2005, I've gotten to work with people through all kinds of issues from a variety of backgrounds and age ranges. My previous experience includes undergraduate and graduate internships in drug and addiction programs, starting a poetry group at the women’s federal prison in Tallahassee, working at New York’s Omega Institute’s sister program- Teen Camp, working as a social worker with Hospice, and conducting a workshop at Florida's National Association for Social Workers yearly conference on Eastern approaches to therapy. 

In addition to seeing clients at my two offices, I am also currently working at Allegro Senior Living in Tarpon Springs as well as facilitating two free cancer support groups at the Florida Cancer Affiliates in New Port Richey. Both the General Support Group and the interfaith Spirituality & Healing Support Group are open to survivors of all types of cancers and stages (no matter where they are being treated, if they are being treated), as well as caregivers and loved ones, previous caregivers, and professional caregivers. 

And perhaps most importantly, I have a 12 year-old co-therapist/dog named Jordan Tillie Turtle. She works out of my New Port Richey office and conducts your Food-Crumb Assessments and teaches the wise and fine art skills of Self-Care: resting and receiving. 

GETTING STARTED

CHOOSING A THERAPIST
Choosing a therapist that feels right to you is absolutely essential. Likewise, I will want to make sure that your needs and my expertise are a good fit. My goal is to help you get what you need out of counseling, even if what you need is a referral to another therapist/agency who specializes in a particular area or to someone with whom you may have a stronger connection with. Therefore, I welcome any questions you may like to ask about counseling or me before scheduling a session. I offer a free telephone consultation if you would like to discuss your interest in therapy in more detail.

INSURANCE
If you have insurance, you will need to contact your insurance provider to confirm your benefits and ask the following five questions:



1. If I am covered provider or if they will allow you to use your out of network benefits?


I am paneled with Pasco County School Board Employee Assistance Program (which includes family members), Aetna, Medicare, BayCare Life Management, ChampVA, ComPsych, Concordia, Vocational Rehabilitation, and others.


2. If you are using your E/SAP benefits or MH benefits?

Some insurances offer a limited number of Employee or Student Assistance Benefits (E/SAP) that are at no cost to you and/or Mental Health benefits that vary according to plan.

3. If you need pre-authorization- including the authorization number, the number of approved sessions, and the date the authorization starts and expires?



4. What your deductible is and how much you’ve already paid towards it?



5. Your copay (a flat rate) or co-insurance amount (a percentage of the total fee)?

INTAKE FORMS
Once an appointment is set, I will need to gather some basic information prior to our meeting. You can either download and print your intake forms online (fill out and bring with you to your first session) or you can arrive to your initial appointment twenty minutes early to complete the paperwork (so we don’t use up your session time).
 

LENGTH, FREQUENCY, AND DURATION OF SESSIONS

Counseling sessions are traditionally 50 minutes long. If you are a couple or family (or you would like the extra time individually), you may wish to have more time and book two sessions in a row. (Please note, insurance usually does not cover two sessions in one day but may allow for two sessions in a week.)

Provided there are no safety issues, it is completely up to you how frequently you attend therapy (i.e. weekly, a few times a month, or by setting an appointment as needed). Generally, when you are first getting started, weekly sessions are the most beneficial in order to have time to capture all your background information, influence accountability, and relieve immediate stressors. 

The duration of therapy depends on what you are seeking. If you want fast resolutions to your situation, we can work in a style of therapy that is more short-term and goal focused. Others prefer to delve into the nature and roots of what’s bothering them in search of a deeper catharsis. And still others come to counseling for a mixture of both. 

YOUNG ADULTS

Young adults, 12-17 years old, are treated with the same respect and approach as adults. As such, the young adult is my “client” and not their parents or guardians. The details of our sessions are confidential and will not be shared with anyone, including guardians. However, if I feel that a young adult is being abused, if their safety is in immediate danger or are a danger to someone else I am obligated to share/report this information. 

I do not take hostages. This means, young adults (while perhaps ambivalent in the first few sessions) must want to attend counseling on their own volition. The young adult decides the goals we work on and to what degree guardians are involved. It is always my hope to achieve maximum potential in all facets of functioning, facilitate conversations with family members, and ease the guardian’s concerns- however I will not do this at the expense of my client’s trust. 

For those who are who have difficulty opening up or enjoy other forms other than standard talk therapy, I also offer therapeutic games, art therapy, pet therapy, and taking walks while sharing. 

COUPLES AND FAMILIES

We live inter-connected. Couples and family counseling is a wonderful tool for the complex dynamics of the most meaningful relationships of our lifetime. Addressing and restoring these key connections can shift how you thrive in relation to yourself, as well as all other relationships. My job is to make sure everyone is seen and heard equally, to facilitate a safe space for communication, and to clear a path for difficult issues to be worked through.  

CONFIDENTIALITY

Information shared during a counseling session is considered confidential under HIPPA (the Health Information Privacy and Portability Act). However, there are some exceptions when your privacy is not protected by me that you should know about.

1. All information will be held confidential and privileged unless the psychotherapist has suspicion that I (client) have neglected or abused a child (including minors witnessing domestic violence), a senior citizen or a disabled person, in which case a report will be made as required by law to the appropriate law enforcement and social welfare agencies.
2. All information will be held confidential and privileged unless I (client) report suicidal or homicidal ideation, intent or plan, in which case a report will be made as required by law to the appropriate law enforcement and social welfare agencies.
3. All information will be held confidential and privileged unless the psychotherapist has been subpoenaed by a court of law.
4. If I am utilizing insurance or EAP to assist in payment for my services, I agree to allow my psychotherapist to release information in my record, including but not limited to: my history, condition, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment plan and treatment recommendations to insurance/EAP personnel involved in reviewing my case.
5. Other information may be released in accordance with the Heath Insurance Portability and Accountability Act as described in this office’s Notice of Privacy Practices.

You have the legal right to have access to your therapy file. If requested, you will be provided with a professional summary. A professional summary includes: the dates of our sessions, our treatment goals, a summary of our sessions, and a synopsis of your progress in therapy. My detailed session notes are to help me process my thoughts and remain my legal property (though strictly confidential to no one but myself). Anyone seeking access to their file will be provided with a summary within 10 business days at the rate of $25 per report. Anyone else wishing to access your file will first need you to come into the office and sign a release permitting the release of your information.

CRISIS AND EMERGENCIES

I do not assure availability at all times and the practice is not geared to the provision of emergency services. Should there be a psychiatric emergency and I am not readily available to assist you in making arrangements, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room. If you live in New Port Richey, you can also call BayCare’s crisis line at 727-841-4439. If you live in Tampa, you can also call 813-234-1234.

TERMINATION

It is my standard office policy to terminate counseling services for any client whom I have not counseled within 30 days of the last service. At that time, I will contact you asking if you wish to continue counseling services. If I do not get a response within 10 days of being contacted I will assume you wish to terminate services and will remove your name from my active client list. Of course, you are welcome to call for an appointment as a new client at any point in the future. However, I reserve the privilege to accept new clients or not, depending on a host of factors including case load and time allocation.