FAQ

I have been called a “touchstone” and told that I have “magic fairy dust.” Truthfully, I only have glitter! For kids I have fun games to help them open up, unburden themselves, and learn about what makes them tick.

When the fit is right, it can be magical. If the client is willing to do the work, we can really accomplish tremendous goals.

I am very responsive to my clients, and I bring a great deal of energy to our sessions. I help my clients address all the things they need to get in touch with their best selves, and their best lives: setting goals, determining areas where they want change, working on the places they feel stuck, and identifying self-defeating patterns of thinking, behaving, and interacting in the world.

I use humor a lot. I am creative. I may ask you to write, draw, or paint, if that is natural for you. I may ask you to step out of your comfort zone and take risks. In my life, I take risks, too. Not foolhardy ones, but ones where I am likely to have a breakthrough and learn something valuable about myself and others.

I work with my clients from a holistic point of view, taking their physical, mental, spiritual, family, and community into consideration.

I have been known to give homework assignments. Don’t worry, you won’t be graded.

The beauty of the counseling relationship is that what we talk about in our sessions is strictly confidential, with the exception of certain safety issues. I have creative ways of talking to kids and teens about these exceptions.

The Alexandria area and the surrounding neighborhoods can feel small, but what we talk about in my office… stays in my office. We will decide together how to handle it should we bump into each other in the real world.

I make this agreement with teens, too, should we see each other at some sporting events or other community outing. I do what is best and comfortable for you.

After thoughtful consideration, I have decided not to accept insurance. Therefore, I am considered an “out-of-network” provider.

There are many reasons for this, including protecting your privacy, the freedom from diagnostic labeling, the ease of scheduling sessions, and the availability I give to my clients between sessions.

Still, many of my clients receive reimbursement from their insurance company, depending on their individual plans. I ask that you check with your insurance company prior to starting therapy. I will give you a statement with all of the necessary information for you to seek reimbursement for services, if you so choose.

I charge $170 per 50-minute session, which can be paid via cash, credit card, or with a Health Savings Account (HSA) debit card. For families or joint session that run 75 minutes, I charge $215.

Credit cards are put into an industry-standard, encrypted patient portal to be billed for future sessions. The credit card information is not visible after the initial entry into the system.

My office is open Monday through Friday (and select Saturdays) from 9am-7pm. Evening appointments fill up quickly, so please give me a call in advance if you’d like to secure an evening time: (571) 289-9181

Yes. I am. I firmly believe that all people should be loved and valued for who they are.

I do offer video sessions via VSee, which is a platform similar to Skype, but intended for the medical community. Studies with veterans show that treatment via video conferencing is both convenient and effective.

Did you know that Telepsych is widely used in hospitals throughout the country? The same session fees apply to video sessions. Video sessions are a reserved time for you. All you need to do is find a quiet, private place. Video sessions are restricted to residents of Virginia.

Yes. In fact, my training and first eight years of work were spent in an agency setting that specialized in working with ethnically diverse people.

I have also lived and worked in Africa with the vast expatriate population. I’ve actually seen people from six continents. I’m still waiting to be of service to someone in Antarctica.

Taking the first step to come into therapy can be very daunting. So often, along the way when we have been vulnerable and confided in someone who was not trained, or prepared to listen to our pain, we come away feeling judged, worried that we overwhelmed them, or that we are alone.

As a trained, experienced helper, it is my mission to provide the space for you to peel back the layers, to feel cared for, and accepted without shame.