FAQ

Monday – Thursday: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Friday: 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM

All inquiries will be responded to within 24 hours during business days.

I provide virtual therapy, meeting you wherever you are – at home, work, or anywhere you feel most at ease – within any PSYPACT participating state.

PSYPACT is an interstate compact that allows licensed psychologists to provide telepsychological services across state lines in participating states.

You can check if your state is included here: https://psypact.gov/page/psypactmap.

The first appointment is a 60-minute diagnostic interview. This extended session allows us to explore your reasons for seeking therapy, gather crucial clinical information, and discuss initial impressions and treatment recommendations.

All following therapy sessions are 50 minutes in length. This format supports deep, focused work while allowing time between sessions for reflection and integration.

Depending on your specific needs and goals, longer or shorter sessions can be arranged.

The length of therapy varies based on your goals, needs, and life circumstances. Some clients seek short-term support to navigate a specific challenge, while others engage in longer-term therapy for deeper self-exploration and lasting change.

During your initial diagnostic intake, we will discuss an estimated timeline and recommended treatment cadence. We’ll continue to assess your progress together and revisit your goals regularly to ensure therapy remains supportive and aligned with your evolving needs. There is no set timeline because therapy moves at your pace.

Finding the right therapist is an essential part of the healing process. I encourage you to trust your instincts. You should feel heard, respected, and supported.

I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation so you can share what you’re looking for, ask questions about my approach, and determine if we may be a good match. Additionally, our first few sessions are an opportunity to get to know each other, clarify your goals, and assess whether my style aligns with your needs.

I welcome an open dialogue about your experience in therapy and welcome feedback throughout our work together. I am happy to help you find another provider if, at any point, it feels like someone else better meets your needs. Your comfort and growth are what matter most.

I am an out-of-network provider and do not work directly with insurance companies. This allows me to offer highly personalized care without the restrictions that often come with managed care, such as mandated diagnoses, session limits, or submission of treatment plans, which can further compromise confidentiality.

Clients may choose to use their out-of-network benefits, and I’m happy to provide a monthly superbill that you can submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement. I encourage you to contact your insurance provider to learn more about your out-of-network mental health coverage.

I require 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule a session. Cancellations made with less than 24 hours’ notice – or missed appointments – will be subject to the full session fee.

This policy is in place to protect the time set aside for you and to maintain fairness to all clients seeking care. I understand that emergencies happen, and I do my best to be flexible when unavoidable situations arise.

If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or feel unsafe, please do not wait for a response from me. Instead, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. You can also contact one of the following 24/7 crisis resources:

• National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
• Local mobile crisis unit (if available in your area)

While I strive to respond to messages within 24 hours during business days, I do not provide crisis or emergency services. Your safety is the top priority – please contact emergency support when immediate help is needed.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in clinical health, perinatal, and pediatric psychology. My background includes extensive experience conducting pre-surgical psychological assessments for solid organ transplants and bariatric surgery as well as providing treatment for a range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and life transitions or adjustment-related challenges (particularly to illness, medical prognosis, and grief).

I completed my clinical internship at Eastern Virginia Medical School with a concentration in integrated primary care. Following this, I pursued a postdoctoral fellowship in clinical health psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), where I received advanced training in integrated care models, pediatric feeding disorders, and the psychological assessment and treatment of individuals undergoing solid organ transplantation and bariatric surgery. Before entering full-time private practice, I served as a Duke University Medical Center faculty member, providing psychological services in medical and emergency care settings.

These diverse experiences have shaped my integrative approach to care, which aims to bridge your emotional and physical health, meaningfully and personally.

I take an eclectic, client-centered approach to therapy, meaning I tailor treatment to best support your unique goals, preferences, and needs. My work integrates skills-based and insight-oriented modalities.

I draw from evidence-based frameworks such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and incorporate process-oriented approaches, including Internal Family Systems (IFS) and clinical hypnosis.

This flexible, integrative style allows us to address cognitive and emotional challenges, fostering lasting change and deeper self-understanding.

Therapy sessions are collaborative, supportive, and tailored to your goals. We’ll explore your concerns, thoughts, emotions, and behavior patterns during each session while working toward meaningful insight and change.

Depending on your needs, sessions may include skill-building, reflective dialogue, body-based awareness, or guided techniques such as visualization, mindfulness, or clinical hypnosis. You’re always encouraged to bring what feels most important to you that day.

The therapeutic space is yours – a place to be seen, understood, and supported as you move toward greater clarity, healing, and connection.

For children, sessions often incorporate my virtual whiteboard, allowing emotions to be explored through interactive drawing, games, and play-based techniques designed to help them express and understand their inner world in age-appropriate ways.

While I don’t typically assign formal “homework,” I encourage reflection and intentional action between sessions to support and reinforce the therapeutic process. This may include practicing new skills, noticing patterns, or applying strategies we’ve discussed to real-life situations.

At the end of each session, we’ll review key takeaways and identify any goals or focus areas for the time between sessions. If helpful, I can email a brief summary as a supportive reminder.

If a more structured approach is clinically appropriate or something you prefer, we’ll collaborate to create personalized exercises or tools that align with your goals in a manageable and meaningful way.

Confidentiality is a cornerstone of the therapeutic relationship and especially important when working with children. While parents or guardians have the legal right to access their child’s records, I take a developmentally sensitive approach that prioritizes building trust and creating a safe space for children to express themselves without fear of judgment or unnecessary disclosure.

I keep parents informed about general themes, overall progress, and any safety concerns, while also respecting the child’s privacy around specific session content. If something arises that I believe would be important or helpful to share, I will work collaboratively with your child to do so in a supportive and respectful way.

Virtual sessions offer the same level of care, connection, and confidentiality, with the added convenience of being accessible wherever you feel most comfortable.

For many clients, virtual therapy allows for greater flexibility and consistency within their daily routines. That said, we’ll always discuss your preferences and ensure the format supports your comfort and therapeutic goals.

I may recommend in-person therapy if clinically indicated in certain situations, particularly those involving higher acuity levels. We can address this during the initial consultation or anytime it becomes relevant for treatment. In this case, I will help you find a qualified local provider to offer the in-person care you need.

I love helping people reconnect to themselves and recognize their true potential. It’s incredibly meaningful to witness someone begin to trust themselves again, feel more grounded, step into an authentic and fulfilling life, and move through the challenging moments in life.

Humor! While therapy is a space for serious reflection and healing, many clients are surprised that laughter often shows up, too. When appropriate, humor can be a powerful part of the process, bringing relief, perspective, and connection. Therapy can be meaningful and human, sometimes including a well-timed laugh.

I would probably pursue a creative path. I originally planned to become an artist or art historian (I have a BA in Art History!). However, studying human expression and emotion in art gave me a more profound passion for understanding people and helping them heal. That intersection ultimately led me to clinical psychology, and I can’t imagine doing anything else!