What is counseling?

Counseling is a relational process aimed to help clients increase awareness, resolve negative past experiences, and improve quality of life. We all have areas of our life that can benefit from growth, healing, and change. Your needs are at the heart of the therapy process and I will work with you to create an individual plan to address your priorities. 

 

How can counseling help me?

Our past experiences shape our present reactions in ways that are often outside of our awareness.   Counseling can help you understand yourself, your reactions, and your feelings better. This increased insight is the springboard of growth, change, and long-term healing. I specialize in helping clients to resolve past experiences and traumas that may still be impacting belief systems and current life circumstances. 

 

What can I expect at a counseling session?

During your first appointment we will discuss your needs and goals and determine if my expertise and your needs are a good match. If we aren’t a good match, I will be happy to help you get connected with another therapist who may better meet your needs.

Your sense of safety and comfort are a priority to me. You will help determine the pace and direction of our sessions.

 

I already tried counseling before and it didn’t help me, why should I consider it again?

If you’ve been disappointed in traditional talk therapy, I might be a good fit for you. Neuroscience research continues to suggest that just as a brains are changed by trauma, they can also be changed by healing. As my mentor Mariah Fenton Gladis says, “we are wounded by experiences and we are healed by experiences.” I have been trained in Gestalt Therapy, Deep Brain Reorienting, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), these approaches specialize in resolution rather than in learning to cope. For example, if you are feeling anxious about flying in an airplane, traditional talk therapy would teach you how to cope and manage your anxiety. I specialize in helping you figure out and address the root cause of the distress so that you can fly without anxiety. 

 

What services do you offer?

I offer individual 55 minute counseling sessions to adults. 

 

Are my sessions confidential?

As a client, you are guaranteed the protection of confidentiality within the boundaries of the client/counselor relationship. The only limitations to confidentiality occur when clients are considered either a threat to themselves or someone else, or when legal requirements demand that confidential information be disclosed. We will discuss confidentiality in more detail during your first appointment.

 

Where are you located?

My handicapped accessible office has adequate parking, elevator access, and is located at 2200 Hamilton Street, suite 325 in Allentown.  

 

What is the cost and will my insurance company pay for counseling?

Individual counseling is $125 for a 55-minute session. 

 

I am currently in network with Highmark plans, Medicare, and Populytics. Please contact your insurance company directly to confirm your benefits.

 

If I am not in-network with your insurance, you can contact your insurance carrier and ask about “out-of-network” benefits for “outpatient mental health services.” Upon request, I am  happy to provide you with a receipt for therapy that you may submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.

 

If you plan to pay out of pocket for therapy, you can use your flexible spending medical account, or medical savings account. You may also deduct the cost of therapy from your taxes if you itemize; it is considered a medical expense. Ask your accountant for details.

 

I accept major credit and debit cards.

 

What if I need to cancel my counseling session?

There is a $65 charge for any session cancelled less than 24 hours prior to the scheduled appointment time.

 

How can I schedule an appointment?

I understand how overwhelming it can be to start the therapy process, therefore I personally speak to each new client who calls to schedule an appointment. This can help you feel more comfortable and address any questions you have prior to our first meeting. My contact information is below.