FAQ

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Where is your office located?

My office is located at:

7700 W Highway 71
Suite 170
Austin, TX 78735

Do you take insurance?
I do not take insurance. I do offer a sliding scale based on economic need.
What is part of the free consultation?

The 30-minute free consultation is an opportunity to understand what you are experiencing and how I can help. This is a chance for you to see if we are a good fit because one of the most important aspects of therapy is that you feel a connection with your therapist.

What happens if I need to cancel an appointment?

I have a 24-hour cancellation policy. If the session is not rescheduled within 24 hours, the session fee is charged.

Who do you work with?
I work with adults and adolescents. When working with adolescents, I see them in person, and the parents must agree to at leasttwo separate parent sessions with me at the start of working with the adolescent.
What are your strengths as a therapist?

My clients often note how quickly they feel seen and understood for what they are experiencing. This is helped by my background as an attorney and working in the corporate world. I traveled extensively and managed international teams.

I am a mom who has been married, divorced, re-married, and navigated a blended family.

The life experience I gained in my first career informs my counseling, including working with a wide range of people from many nationalities, cultures, ethnicities, religions, and life experiences. I understand the various pressures faced by my clients, including professionally, in relationships, and as a parent.

Are you LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC friendly?
Clients from all walks of life are welcomed in an inclusive and supportive manner. I strive to create a safe space for people of any race, ethnicity, culture, religion, gender orientation, gender identity, physical ability, age, neurodiversity, or any other core aspect of one’s identity. I am gender-affirming, neuro-affirming, and an LGBTQIA+ ally.
What can I expect in the first session?
The first session is the time for us to get to know more about you and what brings you into therapy. This involves sharing your background and the issue bringing you in. We will review your goals and set priorities for working together.
What is the difference between in-person and virtual therapy?
In-person therapy involves coming into the office and sitting across from a therapist, while virtual therapy involves having the therapy session via videoconference. Aside from personal preference, there is no difference in efficacy. In my practice, adults can choose which they prefer; however, I require adolescents to be in person.
What modalities do you use?

I take a person-centered approach to therapy. We focus on what is going on with you so that we discover your strengths, challenges, and needs, and it gives us space to make meaning of your life and the world around you.

That said, there is no one-size-fits-all for therapy. This means we may use techniques from evidence-based theories, such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness, as well as existential theory. Using additional techniques from these theories allows the therapeutic process to connect more deeply for you in a way that is tailored to how you think and process your experiences and the world.

What is EMDR?

Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapy that helps alleviate emotional distress caused by traumatic events by using bilateral stimulation while briefly focusing on the traumatic memory. When traumatic events happen, it can cause the disturbing event and corresponding images, thoughts, and emotions to be frozen in time in the brain. When triggered, it can even feel like the event is happening all over again. EMDR therapy helps process those memories and allows healing.

In addition to specific traumatic events, EMDR is used for all ages and a variety of challenges, including anxiety, panic attacks, depression, grief and loss, and PTSD, to name a few.

For more information, please visit www.emdria.org.

Why do you have a specialty for attorneys and professionals?
As a former attorney and executive, I have a unique perspective on the interplay of mental health and the pressures of these types of roles. I help clients not only understand their anxiety, but also how it is impacted by their careers.
What types of settings have you worked in before?
I have worked in a psychiatric hospital, a community mental health practice, and a private practice in connection with my mental health experience.
Why did you switch careers to become a therapist?
Prior to becoming a therapist, I was an attorney and executive. What I enjoyed about being an attorney working in a company was the ability to work as a team to help people solve problems. The more senior my role became, the less I worked with people and more with policies. I realized that this was not what I found fulfilling, so I did some soul-searching to determine what would fill me with a sense of purpose.

My undergraduate degree was in psychology, and I read extensively on the topic over the years, especially after having a child. What I loved about my previous career was the relational nature, either solving problems, managing teams, or being a mentor. It was a natural extension of these areas.

So, I returned to school to get my Master’s in Counseling with a Clinical Mental Health concentration from St. Edwards University, and I truly love what I do now.

What do you do for fun?
I love spending time with my family, including my two very cute dogs! I also enjoy reading about mental health and mysteries.