Frequently Asked Questions
What are your credentials?
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master's Degree from New Mexico State University (2002 graduate). I am qualified and licensed to practice psychotherapy in Idaho.
What’s the difference between talking to you or my best friend or family?
A mental health professional can help you approach your situation in a new way– teach you new skills, gain different perspectives, listen to you without judgment or expectations, and help you listen to yourself. Furthermore, counseling is completely confidential. You won’t have to worry about others “knowing your business.”
How long will therapy take?
Therapy is personalized to each person, depending on their concerns and issues they may be facing. It is not uncommon for therapy to last weeks or months in order to develop meaningful change. This can be discussed during the initial intake and at any point throughout the course of counseling. Many people continue therapy beyond their initial chief complaint and use the therapeutic space for exploration and growth. Typically, sessions are anywhere from 45 to 60 minutes.
What information do you share with the insurance company?
A diagnosis must be assigned when submitting claims for reimbursement as therapy is viewed as a medical service and will be shared with your insurance company. Your insurance can request progress notes during audits or to verify medical necessity. To maintain full confidentiality, you can opt to not file insurance and pay out-of-pocket.
Do you offer online sessions?
Yes! Teletherapy sessions, or E-therapy, are typically offered to those who cannot make it to therapy in person. Examples of this might include illness, severe weather, holiday or work travel, injury, living in a rural area and more. I use a platform that is both easy to use and HIPAA compliant. I simply email you a link, which connects you to the video session. I'm often asked about sites that connect you to an online therapist, like BetterHelp or Talkspace. I believe that having a therapist that you can also meet in person is extremely beneficial. While E-therapy can be useful for a variety of situations, it is not helpful when it comes to more serious psychiatric illnesses that require close and direct treatment. It is also not appropriate for people with complicated or detailed problems. Please, keep in mind that some insurance policies do not fully cover online therapy and you might have to pay for a portion or the full cost of your session out-of-pocket.
What are your fees and how can I pay them?
I do courtesy billing with major health insurances (Blue Cross of Idaho, Regence Blue Shield of Idaho, Aetna, Optum, Select Health, the IPN Network) and offer private pay fees for self-paying clients. I accept cash, check, and credit card. See the page "Services" for more details.
Is anything we discuss confidential?
All sessions are private and confidential, except if you are a danger to yourself, others, or if there is any suspected child or elder abuse. Should you disclose information related to those exceptions, I am mandated to report it and will do so to protect you and those involved.
What does YES stand for?
As I was brainstorming for a word that would represent my goal for therapy YES came to mind in the form of Your Empowered Self. However, with time it has transformed to embrace new meanings, such as "say YES to healing, to self-care, to compassion for yourself, to embracing your uniqueness, to living a fuller life" and much more. Its meaning is now everything and anything that motivates you to make it to your counseling appointment week after week.
YES is a celebration of your courage and your true self.