Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if counseling can help me?

Basically, if you’re a human, counseling can help you. I’m biased, of course, but hear me out.

Who else in your life can you honestly say would allow you 50 uninterrupted minutes each week to talk about whatever is on your mind and not judge you? Being seen, feeling heard, and finding acceptance are all part of the therapeutic process.

Therapists are experienced in listening empathically and supporting you in making changes in the way you think about and resolve problems.

Seeing a counselor who specializes in your particular area of concern is key because you won't have to worry that they aren't going to understand the nuances of what you're experiencing, and you won't be in the position of feeling that you have to overexplain or educate the therapist.

When it comes to perinatal mental health, you definitely want a provider who has specialized training and experience and will be sensitive to where you are in your adjustment to motherhood.

Going to therapy is very similar to making any life change that will benefit you. It’s a decision you make to help you reach your personal goals or feel less anxious about a challenge you're struggling with. If you give it a solid try and you find it doesn’t help, you can stop at any time, or you can try a different counselor.

What if I’ve never talked to a professional before?

You gotta start somewhere, right? I see people in my practice all the time who have never been to see a therapist. I also see clients who have had a bad experience with a therapist before. If this is you, that’s ok. It’s natural to be a little nervous. It makes sense because it’s something new, and you don’t know what to expect.

The initial phone consultation is very helpful for talking about these concerns and getting a little more comfortable with the idea of telling a complete stranger major details about your private life.

Therapists know how to talk to people and ask questions in a way that encourages people to open up.

If a topic comes up that you don’t want to talk about, you can say, “I don’t really want to talk about that.” No pressure. It’s your session, so you get to talk about what’s on your mind.

My doctor prescribed medication, so isn’t that enough?

Medication is extremely helpful for many people, so I’m a fan, for sure, but the consensus seems to be that talk therapy (specifically, cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT) combined with medication yields better outcomes than medication alone.

Some evidence even suggests that psychotherapy may be more effective for long-term results because the skills one learns in therapy can be used long after treatment terminates. Still, other research finds that it isn’t the type of therapy so much as the relationship between therapist and client.

Where do I even start looking for a therapist?

Well, you’re on the right track because you found me! The best way to search is a combination of different methods.

• You can ask your primary care doctor or OB/GYN for recommendations, and then you can go online and research those names to find their websites to learn a bit more about their style, what they look like, read their blog, find out what they charge, etc.

• Some people choose to go straight to googling, and that’s fine, too. When you google “counselors near me” or “therapist specializing in postpartum depression in wake forest,” the first results will likely be ads and Google business listings (that may not actually include therapists trained in your specific issue) with a map.

• TherapyDen is my favorite overall mental health provider directory. It’s inclusive in its search criteria, and it has a very progressive vibe that aligns with my values as well as the clients I tend to attract and do my best work with.

• Postpartum Support International has a very useful directory specifically for folks seeking perinatal mental health providers.

What do all the different credentials behind providers’ names (e.g. LPC, LCSW, PhD) mean?

There are a lot of them, right? Some credentials indicate education level, as in PhD (Doctor of Philosophy). Others tell you the kind of license someone has.

For example, my Masters Degree program trained me to be a counselor, and in the state of NC, that corresponding license is Clinical Mental Health Counselor (formerly Professional Counselor), so I have LCMHC after my name (used to be LPC).

I’m also a Nationally Certified Counselor, a national designation as opposed to a state one. A therapist who has LCSW after their name earned a Master’s degree and license in Social Work. LPCs and LCSWs both provide mental health counseling.

Finally, I earned the PMH-C, certification in perinatal mental health, by going through extensive training, clinical practice, and passing an exam in perinatal mental health.

How do I get started?

The first step is booking a free consultation call. We'll talk briefly on the phone to discuss what you’re looking for, clear up any questions you may have, and decide if we think we might be a good fit. If so, we’ll schedule your first appointment. If not, I’ll provide some referral information to guide you to other professionals I feel would be a better match for your needs.

Are virtual appointments as effective as in-person?

Absolutely, and I think the pandemic demonstrated just how beneficial online therapy can be.

Sessions are secure and conducted via my HIPAA-compliant and encrypted EHR software, TherapyPortal.

You do need s strong internet connection (wifi is usually fine as long as you aren’t also streaming video or downloading huge files during your session), and you have to be a resident of NC or SC to work with me in a therapeutic capacity.

We can always supplement our virtual work with a Walk + Talk session or two.

Virtual upport via coaching is available regardless of where you live. We can discuss more with a brief consultation call.

Why don't you accept insurance?

How much time do you have? I am no longer participating in managed care networks for many reasons, but here’s the gist of it:

My humanistic and client-focused approach to psychotherapy means that you and I collaborate to determine what your sessions look like, how often we feel we should meet, what we should focus on, how to measure a successful outcome, and anything else that comes up.

When an insurance company is involved, a case manager who has never met either of us gets to decide if your issue is serious enough to justify seeing a therapist because psychotherapy services must be medically necessary in order for your benefits to cover the cost of it.

This means I must diagnose you with a mental illness. I see counseling as a valuable service that can often prevent more serious ‘medically necessary’ procedures, as an important part of your self-care routine, as a way to find validation and healing in a crazy world full of pain.

Please review the Good Faith Estimate document for important information regarding your rights as a self-pay patient.

Coaching isn't typically a covered service or considered healthcare as there is no medical diagnosis.

How long will it take for therapy to work?

Many people find that they feel some relief by the end of the first session. Some clients even tell me they started feeling better once they had that first appointment on the calendar. Yes, before they even came into the office! Is this the placebo effect at play? Perhaps. I happen to think it is the result of taking action on something you know you need to do.

You will likely be a little nervous in the beginning because it is weird sharing very personal details of your life with a stranger, but it can be incredibly helpful to begin the process of getting things off your chest.

On the other hand, be aware that you could feel particularly vulnerable and may even feel worse now that you've begun the process of uncovering these raw emotions. It's natural and not at all a sign that therapy isn’t working.

Everyone is different, and the process really can’t be rushed. Within three to five sessions, though, you should be feeling some positive results. If not, we’ll discuss it and make changes as necessary.

The length of treatment varies depending on many variables, including the severity of the stress you are experiencing, the level of support you have in your life, the changes you are able to implement outside of our sessions, and the frequency of your sessions (weekly appointments, especially in the beginning, typically yield faster results), among other factors.

How often will we meet?

I usually recommend weekly appointments in the beginning, but it is ultimately up to you. Weekly sessions are ideal because they allow just enough time in between for you to process and begin implementing the strategies we are discussing.

Weekly appointments have the built-in accountability of coming back in to review what’s going on, and consistency is key when it comes to making changes that stick.

Many clients choose to step down to every other week once they're confident with the progress they've made. Ultimately, the goal is for you to develop the coping skills you need to deal with whatever stress brought you to counseling and to effectively apply these new strategies to future challenges.

What if I need to cancel?

I understand that things come up, including illnesses, family emergencies, childcare issues, etc. When possible, I expect that you will cancel within 24 hours. In the case of a true emergency, such as those listed above, no fee will be charged.

Otherwise, not showing for your appointment or not canceling within 24 hours of the appointment time will result in a charge of the full fee. Unless you opt out, you will receive an email or text reminder 24 hours before your appointment.

How will I know when to stop going to therapy?

You won’t have to decide that on your own. We’ll touch base regularly to talk about how you’re feeling compared with where you were when we began, what’s been most effective, what hasn’t helped, and what to do next. Sometimes the decision is to continue as is, and other times, we may begin to plan an end to your treatment.