AUSTIN, TX
Psychotherapy Services for Individuals, Couples, Families & Groups
THERAPY IS AN INVITATION TO:
Share…
your story
Learn…
to identify and name your emotions in real-time
Recognize…
your triggers and reactivity
Own…
your strength and resilience
Release…
negative core beliefs
A Strong Relationship with Your Therapist is the Greatest Predictor of Good Outcomes.
I work with individuals, couples, families and groups. I provide a confidential and structured space for you to re-align and deepen the relationship you have with yourself, your loved ones and life in general. Whether you are struggling with depression, anxiety, attachment trauma, relational difficulties, chronic health issues, grief or low self-esteem the process of therapy welcomes every aspect of you with attention care and interest.
My therapeutic style is collaborative, relational and intuitive. Together we build a strong working alliance that makes it possible for you to feel both protected and challenged. Therapy is serious work but it can also be entertaining, creative, warm and playful. It provides the opportunity to reconsider your challenges in the clear light of your intelligence, strength and full awareness.
Background and Approach
I draw inspiration and guidance from a wide range of therapeutic modalities and academic disciplines. My primary areas of interest and ongoing study include narrative therapy, depth psychology, play therapy, experiential therapy, systems theory, neurobiology, evolutionary psychology and attachment theory.
My education is a mash-up of two years respectively studying psychology at Dartmouth College and University of Texas at Austin, a Masters in Community and Regional Planning at University of Texas School of Architecture and a dual masters in Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy at St. Edwards University. I am trauma informed and currently have advanced training in Stan Tatkin’s Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy (PACT) level 2, Play Therapy and EMDR.
I grew up in a mixed-race bilingual household and grew up overseas as a Third Culture Kid (TCK). This informs my work and gives me an understanding of how it feels be an outsider and cultural hitchhiker.
How To Get Started
Start by booking a free consultation either in person or via video chat. We'll discuss schedule availability and determine if it's a good fit. You'll then receive access to your client portal and complete consent paperwork, intake paperwork, and payment information before our first appointment.
FAQ
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Individual clients meet weekly at the same time each week. Scheduling frequency for couples and families varies according to logistical challenges and relational goals. Past clients are welcome to drop in for check-in sessions, pending availability.
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The ‘therapy hour’ is considered a 50-minute session unless otherwise indicated. Sessions longer than 50 minutes need to be scheduled by phone or email. If you feel like you may benefit from an intensive or longer session, we can discuss this and schedule in person.
Additional half-hour increments are an additional $75
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Yes, for some clients the ease of seeing a therapist from home overrides the benefits of in-person sessions.
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This is completely up to you. Some clients enjoy the ongoing support of a therapist and others want to target a particular issue and move on. I check in with clients at regular intervals to make sure they continue to receive a sense of meaningful support and forward momentum in their work.
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Even though therapy can be lighthearted, it is still work for both you and your therapist. You may be surprisingly tired after sessions and need to recover, refuel and hydrate after therapy just like you would from a physical workout. Please not that relational therapy (couples, family and group) can feel more challenging and vulnerable to your nervous system than individual therapy.
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Clients with regularly scheduled appointments will be billed on the day of service. I am private pay and not in-network for any insurance, but I am a registered national provider. I can provide itemized receipts for out-of-network coverage according to your insurance provider’s guidelines.
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There is often some trial and error involved in finding a therapist. I encourage people to trust their instincts and maintain a healthy dose of skepticism when looking for a therapist. Generally speaking, you are looking for an optimum balance between feeling challenged but also secure, supported and accepted.
That much said, a good therapist, like any other human, will still annoy you, miss your cues, trigger your issues and disappoint you. Recovering from ruptures with your therapist can strengthen the relationship and form an important part of the work.
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It is important to recognize a sense of stuckness, disconnect and/or lack of progress in therapy. This can be a temporary setback or indicate the need for referral to a different provider or modality. I will be candid and transparent if I cannot meet your needs within my scope of expertise and will do my best to provide referrals for appropriate care.
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My current office is not set up to provide play therapy. For quality play therapy services, I refer to Ensemble Therapy. I am happy to provide consultation on what to look for and expect from Play Therapy.
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I check my messages during the week between 11am and 6pm. I use a secure email and separate phone for client communication, but this does not guarantee the privacy of your Personal Health Information (PHI). I ask that you limit communication of PHI to the messaging services within the secure client portal, and limit text and email for scheduling and logistics. This allows me to protect your privacy and keep sensitive correspondence in one place.
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I work with both traditional and non-traditional approaches to relationships, family, and gender roles. I also welcome spirituality and religious beliefs into the therapy space. Therapy and spirituality are separate modalities but can be complementary.
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If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please give me 24 hours’ notice. A full session fee will be collected for missed appointments. If you struggle with executive functioning challenges around scheduling, please let me know, and we can discuss accommodations in person.
