Do I need counseling?
As a therapist and also someone who has been active in my own self-development work and healing journey for over a decade, I believe whole-heartedly that everyone, and anyone, can benefit from counseling. Even if there is nothing “wrong” with your life right now, the counseling process can still support a beautiful and richer understanding of yourself and your fullest potential. But especially if you find that you are unhappy in your life or relationships, counseling can bring comfort and offer supportive guidance to explore what isn’t working for you and help you begin to make changes to get back on the right track.
How does counseling work and how long does it take?
My counseling is a gentle process that begins with getting to know you, your concerns, and your goals for therapy. Most clients that I see are usually looking for support with a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder (PMAD), a birth trauma experience, or challenges with infertility, but I also enjoy working with women & mothers of all stages or facing other life challenges. Weekly virtual sessions usually last about 50min, and once you’re feeling improvement the frequency can be reduced. The first several sessions will likely cover some of your history, relationships and symptoms that you’re experiencing. From there we will grow a plan that addresses your concerns and goals over time. Because everyone has unique issues and goals, our work together will be different for each individual and I tailor my approach to your specific needs. Also the length of time we work together will vary depending on your goals and needs, but generally the more committed you are to the process and work in between sessions, the more quickly you are likely to see results and feel better.
*Please note — I am only able to provide counseling to residents of NC at this time.
How much does it cost, and do you take insurance?
My fee is $150 per 55-minute session, and this cost is billed directly to you at the time of our appointment. I am not in-network with any insurance providers.
If you have insurance coverage you wish to use for your therapy, my services may still be covered by your “Out of Network” (OON) benefits. To find out, you can ask your provider directly what portion of my service charge will be reimbursable to you. If you decide to use your OON benefits, I am happy to provide you with what’s called a “superbill” (a receipt for any service you receive from me) so you can submit a reimbursement claim directly to your plan for our sessions.
Many people choose not to use their insurance at all, however, since doing so requires a clinical diagnosis and involvement of a third party payer. Some of the disadvantages of these considerations include your reduced privacy (since insurance companies need your diagnosis, and in some cases treatment records and/or care summaries, to justify their payment), and also because the involvement of a third-party payer can determine what kind of treatment you receive or how long it will last. For some, these concerns can impact a sense of ownership of the therapy process and thereby affect its outcomes.
What is a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMAD)?
Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) are the most common complication of pregnancy and they affect as many as one in five women, or one in ten men/fathers! They are a set of anxiety or mood (i.e., depression) disorders that occur sometime during pregnancy or the postpartum period (up to the first year following delivery). Specifically, these conditions may include depression or generalized anxiety (the most common), as well as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and in some rarer cases perinatal bi-polar disorder (a mix of mania and depression) or postpartum psychosis.
How do I know if I have a PMAD?
It can be hard to know for sure if what you’re experiencing is PMAD-related without a direct evaluation from a healthcare provider, but there are a few general indicators. While the “baby blues” or mood fluctuations, irritability and tearfulness are all a normal part of the initial postpartum adjustment (due to fluctuating hormone levels), these generally don’t last more than a few weeks. If these symptoms persist for you after the first month, it’s important to get checked out and find support right away. Some of the symptoms indicating a perinatal mood/anxiety disorder may include:
Sadness, feeling “down” and/or crying more than usual
Hopelessness or feeling discouraged
Feeling bad about yourself, like you’re not “good enough”
Loss of interest, motivation or pleasure in activities that you used to enjoy
Having thoughts of suicide or that your family would be better off without you
Fear or panic
Frequent worry
Irritability, anger or more frustration than usual
Feeling anxious, “on edge,” or like you can’t relax
Thoughts that are frightening or bothersome to you
If you’re experiencing two or more of these symptoms, please reach out for a free consultation today and to get connected to the support you need.
Do I need medication?
There are some PMADs and other mental health conditions that really need medication support for stabilization, like bipolar disorder and postpartum psychosis. Otherwise, it is totally possible to heal from PMADs or go through other life transitions without medication. For PMADs, some form of professional support is essential for complete recovery, and often other forms of integrative medicine (i.e., acupuncture, massage, chiropractic care, etc.) can really help the healing process as well. Whatever treatment you decide, the earlier symptoms are addressed, the more quickly you will begin to feel better.
Can I receive counseling from you even if I’m not a Mother?
While one of my clinical specialties is the treatment of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, I also have tremendous passion for working with women in a number of different life stages. This could include helping you prepare for birth and motherhood, supporting you with anxiety, reinforcing your relationships and improving self-care, getting clear about your life goals, or reclaiming your feminine identity and empowered self-love. Contact me if you have questions about how I may be able to support your needs.
What if I’m not ready to start?
I understand, and that’s completely okay! I have other resources that I’d love for you to check out to learn more about what you may be experiencing. Check out my resource page, my blogs and videos, or follow me on Facebook or Instagram to get more support & tips for growth or healing!