Your Questions, Answered

In the first session we are getting to know one another. I want to hear about what brought you to therapy, about who and what is important to you, and any other information you want to share. I also review practice policies and answer any questions you may have about them or the therapeutic process. 

That's completely okay. Most people come to therapy without knowing exactly what to expect. The first session is low-pressure. We spend time getting to know one another, discussing what brought you to therapy, and answering any questions you have about the process.

You don't need to have the right words or know exactly what you're looking for. Showing up is enough. Everything else we figure out together.

Yes. Everything you share in therapy is confidential. I am legally and ethically bound to protect your privacy.

There are a small number of exceptions required by law, including situations involving risk of harm to yourself or others, or certain legal proceedings. These exceptions are rare and will be explained in detail during our first session when we review practice policies together.

Confidentiality is one of the foundational conditions that makes therapy possible. Protecting yours is something I take seriously.

Insurance makes therapy more accessible for many individuals. But, this comes with many stipulations. They require a diagnosis for billing purposes, which may not be necessary or beneficial for you. They require therapists to submit your confidential and private information. They often dictate the length and type of treatment, which I strongly believe is a decision best made between the two of us. For those seeking EMDR, I believe EMDR provides the fastest relief when completed for at least 90 minutes at a time. This type of service is not covered under insurance plans. Those who utilize their insurance to cover weekly sessions with EMDR find progress to be slower as life events often arise and delay engaging in this beneficial modality.

Self-pay ensures your confidentiality and prevents insurance company interference in our therapeutic work together. With self-pay, we decide how long treatment should be and how often it should be. Additionally, some clients do not meet full criteria for a diagnosis their insurance would accept for therapy services, meaning they lose access to their “more accessible” care, despite often paying high premiums or deductibles. 

I currently accept plans with Aetna, Cigna, Evernorth, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), Florida Blue, United HealthCare (UHC or UBH), Optum, Oscar, AvMed, Surest, Bind Benefits, United Medical Resources (UMR), and Oxford.

You are welcome to contact me to see if I accept your specific plan. We will discuss your co-pay or co-insurance prior to the first session.

Insurance does cover EMDR under time constraints. Those who use insurance for EMDR find the process to be long and often delayed by life events. For best results, I recommend at least 90 minutes per EMDR session, which insurance does not cover. 

Yes. I offer telehealth therapy to clients throughout Florida. Online therapy is conducted via a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform and is just as effective as in-person therapy for most concerns.

In-person sessions are available at my office in Pembroke Pines, FL for those who prefer to meet face to face.

Just as your story is unique, so is your therapeutic process. The number of sessions needed can vary significantly while we work towards your goals. 

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy originally developed to treat trauma and PTSD. It works by helping the brain reprocess distressing memories so they lose their emotional intensity and allowing you to recall difficult experiences without being flooded by the feelings attached to them.

Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR works directly with the nervous system through bilateral stimulation (guided eye movements, taps, or sounds) while you briefly focus on a distressing memory or belief. Over time, the memory becomes less triggering and healthier beliefs about yourself can develop.

EMDR is effective for trauma, PTSD, anxiety, phobias, OCD, religious trauma, and more. Learn more about EMDR at Unbound Psychotherapy →

Yes. EMDR intensives are extended EMDR sessions, typically half-day, full-day, or one full week (about 20 hours) in duration. They are designed for clients who want to accelerate their healing process. Rather than completing EMDR in weekly 50-minute sessions over many months, intensives allow for deeper, more focused work in a concentrated period of time.

Intensives are available in-person in Pembroke Pines, FL and online throughout Florida. Learn more about EMDR intensives →

How much and how long someone does EMDR therapy depends on what they are seeking EMDR for. For most single-incident traumas, EMDR can be completed in only a handful of sessions or in one full day of an EMDR intensive. For multiple incidences such as reoccurring childhood trauma, EMDR is often completed on and off over longer term therapy, or for multiple hours at a time during an EMDR intensive.

A Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is a structured, intensive level of mental health care that typically meets five days a week for several hours per day. It provides more support than traditional outpatient therapy but does not require an overnight stay.

An Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is a step down from PHP—meeting three to five days per week for a few hours at a time. It provides more structure than weekly therapy while allowing clients to return home each day.

Both programs are temporary by design. Transitioning to individual outpatient therapy after PHP or IOP is a critical part of maintaining progress and continuing to heal. Learn more about therapy after PHP or IOP →

Yes, religious trauma is one of my core specialties. I work with people who have experienced harm within a faith community, those going through faith deconstruction, survivors of spiritual abuse, and those navigating the grief of leaving a religion or church. I have completed specialized training in EMDR for spiritual and religious abuse.

You don't have to have experienced the most extreme version of religious harm for your pain to be real and worth addressing. Learn more about religious trauma therapy →

Therapy and coaching can look similar on the surface but are meaningfully different. Therapy is provided by a licensed mental health professional and is designed to address psychological concerns such as trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship patterns, grief, and more. It involves clinical assessment, evidence-based treatment, and is governed by professional licensing and ethical standards.

Coaching is not a licensed profession and does not require clinical training. Coaches typically focus on goal-setting, performance, and forward momentum. They are not trained or legally permitted to treat mental health conditions.

If you're navigating trauma, mental health symptoms, or deep emotional patterns, therapy is the appropriate level of care. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with specialized training in trauma and EMDR.

You can reach out through the contact form on my website. I then receive an email with your inquiry and contact you to schedule an initial phone consultation. During the phone consultation, we'll discuss your concerns, availability, payment or insurance, and schedule a first session if desired.

I aim to respond as quickly as possible. Your inquiry is important to me.