How does therapy work?
Therapy is a time and space dedicated solely for you that gives you an opportunity to talk about thoughts that have been cycling through your mind, feelings that have been lingering a little too long, and experiences that have caused you profound pain. What we discuss is held at the highest level of *confidentiality. I typically meet with my clients 1x/week for 55 minute sessions either in-person or telehealth and the duration varies depending on the reasons for having sought therapy.

*There are a few exceptions to confidentiality as required by law. These include disclosure about suicide, homicide, child or elder abuse, and court orders.

Why should I give therapy a try - how can it help me?
You should never feel forced to enter into therapy as therapy will not work well or at all if there is a lack of intrinsic motivation. The best results come from feeling the need yourself and being ready to commit to the work. If this is you, I encourage you to give therapy a try as it can bring you the insight you’ve been seeking to understand why you’ve been thinking and feeling the way you have and learn new ways of coping and approaching your life. On a practical note, many of us have demanding schedules with continuous distractions and having a designated time and space for you to connect with yourself can bring some respite for both your internal and external system.

Can I just talk with my family and friends, what is different about a therapist?
Yes, you can and are encouraged to talk with trusted family and friends for support as needed. Though one of the main reasons to seek out formal support is that this work is intensive and often takes a long time. Our loved ones may want to support us but they are unable to offer the undivided and consistent time and effort that is needed due to their own life demands. Also, the difference with talking to a therapist is that it is fully confidential so there is no fear of information being disclosed, which gives you the freedom to thoroughly process what you need to. Another aspect is that though your therapist will care for you deeply, your thoughts, feelings, experiences, and life choices do not impact their personal lives, allowing them to remain more objective. Often times family members and friends mean well, but your decisions may affect them directly, which can cause their perspective and input to be a bit biased. Professional therapists are of course still humans with their own thoughts, feelings, and values, but they are heavily trained to manage them properly for the sake of their clients’ well-being. By managing those aspects, combined with their extensive clinical training, they are able to actively listen for cues of patterns and underlying reasons for your struggles - they are experts at connecting the dots. With that said, your therapist should consistently be working on their own development both on a personal and professional level so they can offer the best therapeutic services to you.

Do you prescribe medications?
I am not licensed to prescribe medications but I work closely and collaboratively with medication providers if it appears a client may benefit from pharmaceutical support. There are some diagnoses where medication is strongly encouraged to help bring stabilization that would aid us in our therapy work.

What are the costs involved, do you accept insurance and what is the ‘No Surprises Act’ and a ‘Good Faith Estimate’?
The group practice where I am a participating provider, North Star Mental Health, is in-network with most insurance plans, although the client’s financial responsibility varies depending on the specific plan you are enrolled in. I strongly suggest reviewing the details of your insurance coverage and/or contacting their customer service department to learn if they cover mental health services. I can also provide you with a ‘Super Bill’ to submit to your insurance company if they offer out-of-network benefits. For those clients and clients who do not wish to work with an insurance plan in any capacity, my fee is $165 per 55 minute session.

As of January 1, 2022, a new federal law, the No Surprises Act, requires providers to offer a Good Faith Estimate for individuals wanting to receive medical care who are uninsured or choose to not use insurance. This explains the estimated out-of-pocket costs for mental health services prior to beginning therapy.

Where is Little Canada, MN?
Little Canada sounds very far north close to Canada but it’s not, phew. It’s conveniently adjacent to the Twin Cities (approximately a 15 minute drive from downtown Minneapolis), bordered by Saint Paul, Roseville, Shoreview and Maplewood. There is free ample parking in our large parking lot.

Why should I choose you as my therapist?
That’s a great question! In choosing a therapist, you would like to feel a sense of comfort and connection with them before committing to a therapeutic relationship that could potentially be long term. Often times, you can quickly tell how comfortable you feel from the moment you meet but occasionally it takes a little more time, which is also okay.

I offer a warm environment that helps you feel safe to share your experiences with me. I find it a privilege to walk alongside you and support you as you encounter life’s highs and lows and believe my clients feel deeply understood and cared for by me which is my main goal above all else. I ask for at least 6-8 sessions before determining if we’re a good fit and feedback is welcome at any point in order to provide you with the best therapeutic experience. Therapy is a collaborative effort and discussions about the process are important (ie: What’s working well? What can we do different? etc). If it ultimately does not feel like a good fit, I’d be happy to help procure a referral to encourage your therapy journey.

How do you handle emergency situations?
I am not a crisis counselor. I work in a non-intensive outpatient capacity. If you need acute or intensive care or you are experiencing an emergency including thoughts of harming yourself, please immediately go to your local hospital or call 911 for help.