Frequently Asked Questions
IT’S MY FIRST TIME COMING TO THERAPY, WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT?
First and foremost, you should expect to be treated with respect and met with neutrality and a lack of bias from your therapist. I do not pick sides in therapy and strongly encourage clients to inform me if they feel “ganged up on” or “being seen as the bad guy.” The most effective asset we all possess is our own strength of will and individuality; therefore, in working with me you will learn your own strengths and how to grow from your areas that you want to grow in.
My couples therapy sessions are structured towards imparting the knowledge to both of you for how to grow as a couple as soon as possible. The couple’s therapy I provide is specifically tailored to enable couples to learn how to succeed inside of therapy to make the real changes outside of therapy.
WHAT MAKES COUPLE'S THERAPY WITH YOU DIFFERENT?
I believe therapy is a service to be provided by a professional therapist who is warm, neutral, caring, and efficient with your time. My clients often hear me say, “You spend time and money coming here, I want you to know your making the best use of both.” I respect my clients enough to constantly assess the effectiveness of the treatment they are receiving from me.
I also provide a secure and comforting space to discuss any topic or concern brought up by my clients without fear of judgment or minimalization. The strength of a therapist is not measured by what they are willing to talk about, but what they are not comfortable talking about with their clients. Far too often bias and judgment get in the way of progress.
What is your approach to Therapy
The couples therapy model I use is based around Gottman’s Couples Therapy model, which is an evidence based couples therapy that has been carefully and intentionally modeled to be effective for couples therapy over the last thirty years via research. What Gottman method does an incredible job at doing is condensing the assessment process for couples so that all strengths and weaknesses of a couple are known by the third session so that you, the couple, can know exactly where you need to grow as a couple. By the third session, you will know all of your strengths and weaknesses as a couple. But I wouldn’t just leave you with those statements, I use specific tools to enable couples to be incredibly successful in all areas that are important to couple’s happiness, such as: communication, intimacy (sexual and non-sexual), healthy conflict (make sure a conflict becomes a discussion instead of a fight), and mutual respect in the relationship..
HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL WE HAVE TO ATTEND TO SEE RESULTS?
The number of sessions purely depends on the context and complexities of the issues brought by the couple. But to answer the question, I would say an absolute minimum amount of session would be five sessions. The average number I see for my couples who leave therapy in a far better place than when they came is around twelve sessions.
How often will we meet and how long are sessions?
I ask all of my clients to begin therapy on a weekly basis, then later possibly make the shift to bi-weekly sessions. I am able to be flexible for clients if need be, so if you need to meet bi-weekly at the beginning please don't hesitate to ask
Individual and Couples sessions are 50 minutes in duration. Intensive couples therapy is 80 minute sessions.
DO YOU MEET ONLINE OR IN PERSON?
I am providing both in person and telehealth sessions.
How much do sessions cost?
I charge $150/50 minutes with individuals and $200/50 minutes with couples.
What is your cancellation policy?
Clients will be charged a 90$ fee for missed appointments or failing to cancel appointments within 24 hours of start time.
What Insurance do you accept?
I am not in network with any insurance provider and therefore do not accept any form of insurance.
Do you provide premarital counseling
I absolutely do! I love working with couples who are seeing therapy for the purpose of doing premarital counseling. The therapeutic approach I use is specifically good at providing a comprehensive look into relationship and discovering which sections a couple may need to improve on in the future.
DO YOU SEE LGBTQ+ CLIENTS?
Absolutely! I have had many clients and couples who identify as LGBTQ+. If you're looking for support for your non-monogmaous relationship then I'd be happy to help you find a couples therapist who has expertise in this area since I do not.
Where is your office located?
1 ZILLICOA STREET, ASHEVILLE, NC, 28801