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 with an awareness of where you are in your adjustment to motherhood, including knowing the difference between the 'baby blues' and signs of postpartum depression or anxiety.

Going to therapy is very similar to making any life change that will benefit you. It’s a decision you make to 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's the difference between therapy and coaching?

It can be a little confusing, right? If you continue to hit roadblocks like mom guilt, feeling overstimulated, and difficulty finding time for self-care, then coaching may be a great fit.

Coaching is perfect for identifying unhealthy thinking patterns, setting realistic goals, and finding more peace and confidence as a mom. My particular style of coaching through voice notes happens asynchronously, meaning you send me unlimited voice or text messages, and I respond with helpful feedback.

If you’re seeking treatment for a mental health diagnosis, such as a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMAD); your doctor has prescribed medication and recommended counseling; you've experienced birth trauma or loss; or you're struggling with debilitating intrusive thoughts, then you may need to start with a licensed therapist who specializes in perinatal mental health.

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 makes clients feel safe and encourages them to open up.

If a topic comes up that you don’t want to talk about, it’s totally ok for you to let your counselor know. 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 you learn 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.

• If you really need to find a clinician who's in-network with your health insurance, then it's best to consult your plan's provider directory. And if you're lucky enough to have out-of-network benefits, be sure to ask if the provider you choose will give you a 'superbill' to file with your insurance.

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 to complete this contact form.

Then you'll schedule a free consultation call. We'll talk for 15-20 minutes 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 online therapy can be a lifesaver for busy, overwhelmed moms.

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

You do need s strong internet connection, and you have to be a resident of NC, SC, or Michigan to be a therapy client. If you typically have no problems using FaceTime or Zoom, you're all set.

We can always supplement our virtual work with Walk + Talk sessions if you're in the Wake Forest area.

Virtual upport via coaching is available regardless of where you live.

Why don't you accept insurance?/Why is mental healthcare so expensive?

I no longer participate 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 (i.e. a mental health diagnosis defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM). 

I see counseling as a valuable service that can often prevent more serious ‘medically necessary’ procedures, an important part of your self-care routine, and a confidential way to find validation and healing.

It may help to know that your full fee is helping me provide low-cost sessions to women who need support but cannot currently afford it.

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

Coaching isn't considered healthcare, doesn't require a medical diagnosis, and isn't covered by insurance.

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. This positive feeling is probably due to taking action on something they know is important.

You will likely be a little nervous in the beginning because it's weird sharing very personal details of your life with a stranger, so this anxiety is completely natural.

It's important to be aware that digging into feelings you've been pushing down for so long can feel scary. It's just your brain trying to keep you safe 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 the severity of the distress you're experiencing, the level of support you have in your life, the changes you're able to implement outside of session, and the frequency of your appointments (weekly visits, especially in the beginning, typically yield faster results).

How often will we meet?

I usually recommend weekly appointments in the beginning, but it's ultimately up to you. A weekly cadence is ideal, allowing enough time between sessions to process and begin implementing the strategies you're working on.

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. In any case, I appreciate a text or email letting me know you need to reschedule.

Not showing up for an appointment or not canceling within 24 hours of the appointment time will result in a charge of the full fee.