Getting Started
Yes. I offer a free 15-minute consultation call for anyone considering therapy or psychological testing. You can request one through the contact form or directly through the SimplePractice portal.
This is not a therapy session. It is a chance to connect, ask questions, and see whether working together feels like a good fit. There is no pressure to commit, and if you have had difficult experiences with therapy in the past, I understand how much courage it takes to try again.
1. Schedule a free consultation. Request a brief call through the contact form or client portal. We will talk about what you are looking for and whether we are a good match.
2. Complete your intake forms. If we decide to move forward, I will send you a secure link to your client portal where you can fill out paperwork, review practice policies, and get set up. Everything is online and HIPAA-compliant.
3. Book your first session. Once your forms are complete, you can schedule your first appointment at a time that works for you. You will receive a secure video link beforehand.
If you have questions at any point, just reach out. I will walk you through every step.
It is completely normal to feel a mix of curiosity, hope, and nervousness before your first session. My goal is for you to feel safe and welcomed from the start.
We will spend the first session getting to know each other. I will ask about what brought you in, how things have been feeling for you lately, and what feels most important to talk about. You never have to share more than you are ready to. We will move at a pace that feels right for you.
Over the first few sessions, we will map out the areas of your life you want to better understand, shift, or heal. Together, we will set goals and build a flexible approach that reflects your needs, values, and what you have capacity for.
How Sessions Work
All sessions take place through a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform through SimplePractice. Before each appointment, you will receive a private link through your client portal. On a computer, the session opens in your browser. On a phone or tablet, you may be asked to download the Zoom app the first time.
Even though we are meeting online, telehealth sessions still offer real connection. Many clients find they are able to settle in, reflect deeply, and feel just as supported as they would in person.
Find a quiet, private space where you feel safe and will not be interrupted. Use headphones if you can for better sound and privacy. Make sure your internet connection is stable and your device is plugged in or fully charged.
If you have concerns about using telehealth or need accessibility accommodations, please reach out and we can talk through options.
Because I am licensed in Illinois, I can only provide services to clients who are physically in Illinois at the time of each session. This applies even if you usually live here but are temporarily traveling or visiting family out of state.
If this affects you, feel free to reach out. I am happy to clarify what is possible or connect you with a provider in your current location.
Most clients begin with weekly sessions, which help build momentum, establish trust, and create the consistency needed for meaningful change. Some people choose to meet more often during particularly difficult stretches. As therapy progresses, others shift to every other week when they feel more steady.
We will find a rhythm that fits your needs, goals, and capacity, and we can revisit that schedule anytime.
It depends. Some people come for a few months to work through a specific transition, loss, or decision. Others stay longer to explore deeper patterns, process trauma, or have ongoing support through different phases of life.
We will set clear goals early on and check in regularly about how things are going, what is shifting, and whether your needs are changing. You are never locked in. Whether you want to pause, continue, shift focus, or prepare to end, we will talk through those decisions together.
Therapy Process and Fit
That is understandable, and I welcome that conversation. Therapy is personal, and it matters that you feel safe and understood. If something feels off, I encourage you to bring it up. We can talk openly about what you are hoping for or what might make the work feel more aligned.
If a different provider would be a better match, I will fully support that and offer referrals when I can. You deserve care that truly fits.
If you are uncertain, you are welcome to start with the free 15-minute consultation to ask questions and get a feel for how I work.
That is completely normal and more common than you might think. You do not need to come in with a plan. Therapy is not about performing or being productive. It is about showing up as you are.
Sometimes the most meaningful work starts by simply noticing what is present: what has been weighing on you, what feels unclear, or even how you are feeling about being in therapy. That can be our starting place. We will take things step by step.
If you are using insurance (such as BCBS PPO), I am required to assign a mental health diagnosis for billing purposes. This is standard when working with insurance, and I will always talk with you about any diagnosis I use. Nothing happens behind the scenes.
That said, a diagnosis is not the full picture. Diagnoses describe patterns of symptoms, but they do not explain the deeper causes, context, or meaning behind your experiences. In our work together, we will look at the whole picture: your history, relationships, environment, nervous system, identity, and lived experience. A diagnosis is one lens, not a label, and it will never define the kind of support I offer you.
If you are not using insurance, a formal diagnosis is not required.
My Approach
My approach is relational and integrative. That means I do not use a single method for everyone. Instead, I tailor our work to your unique experiences, goals, and identity, drawing from multiple frameworks to support healing in a way that feels grounded and real.
An integrative approach allows me to respond to the full picture of who you are: your emotions, thoughts, body, relationships, history, and the broader context of your life. Whether we are processing old wounds, navigating a life transition, or exploring identity, we will work together to understand what is happening beneath the surface and build paths forward that last.
I draw from several core influences:
Interpersonal Process Therapy helps us explore how patterns in your relationships, past and present, shape your emotional world.
Body-based awareness brings gentle attention to physical signals and sensations, especially when words are not enough.
Multicultural and feminist frameworks recognize how identity, power, and broader social forces affect mental health.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers practical tools for coping, reframing unhelpful thought patterns, and building resilience.
Above all, I believe the relationship between therapist and client is itself a powerful part of healing. I will meet you with care, honesty, and respect for your pace.
When it feels supportive, I may bring in mindfulness, body awareness, or practices that help your nervous system settle. These can help you feel more grounded and can deepen what we are exploring together, especially when working through stress, trauma, or ongoing overwhelm.
This might look like gently noticing what is happening in your body as we talk, pausing to check in with your breathing or sense of safety, or exploring how your body responds to connection or conflict.
If you are new to this kind of work, we will go slowly and I will always explain what I am offering and why. If body-based work does not feel like the right fit for you, we will take a different path. Your preferences guide the work.
When it feels supportive, I may bring in mindfulness, body awareness, or practices that help your nervous system settle. These can help you feel more grounded and can deepen what we are exploring together, especially when working through stress, trauma, or ongoing overwhelm.
This might look like gently noticing what is happening in your body as we talk, pausing to check in with your breathing or sense of safety, or exploring how your body responds to connection or conflict.
If you are new to this kind of work, we will go slowly and I will always explain what I am offering and why. If body-based work does not feel like the right fit for you, we will take a different path. Your preferences guide the work.
When it feels supportive, I may bring in mindfulness, body awareness, or practices that help your nervous system settle. These can help you feel more grounded and can deepen what we are exploring together, especially when working through stress, trauma, or ongoing overwhelm.
This might look like gently noticing what is happening in your body as we talk, pausing to check in with your breathing or sense of safety, or exploring how your body responds to connection or conflict.
If you are new to this kind of work, we will go slowly and I will always explain what I am offering and why. If body-based work does not feel like the right fit for you, we will take a different path. Your preferences guide the work.
Communication and Privacy
You can use the SimplePractice Client Portal for scheduling, paperwork, or logistical questions. I typically respond within 1 to 2 business days during regular weekday hours.
For anything clinical in nature, I encourage you to bring that into session where we have the time and space to explore it fully. I am not available for real-time or emergency support, but I will always make space in our next session to revisit what comes up in between.
Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. Call or text 988 (the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7). You can also reach your local crisis line for immediate help.
If you anticipate needing more regular support between sessions, we can talk about options together, whether that is additional sessions, resources, or a safety plan. You do not have to navigate things alone.
YYes. Confidentiality is a core part of therapy. Everything you share is protected by law, by professional ethics, and by my commitment to providing a space where you can speak freely.
There are a few limited exceptions, which exist to protect safety:
I am legally required to share information if you are at immediate risk of harming yourself or someone else, if there is known or suspected abuse or neglect of a child, elder, or dependent adult, or if a court orders the release of records.
Outside of these situations, your information will never be shared without your written permission. If you would like me to coordinate care with a doctor, partner, or family member, we will talk about it first and complete a consent form together.
If we happen to see each other in public, I will not initiate contact to protect your privacy. You are always welcome to say hello if you would like.
You will receive full details about confidentiality in your intake forms, and I am always happy to answer questions.