FAQs

Questions Before You Reach Out

Starting therapy comes with a lot of unknowns. Here are answers to the questions I hear most.

Getting Started

How do I know if therapy is right for me? You don't have to be in crisis to benefit from therapy, and you don't need to have it all figured out before reaching out. If something feels off, heavy, or stuck — that's reason enough. A free 15-minute consultation is a low-pressure way to find out if it's a good fit before committing to anything.

What happens in a free consultation? It's a short call to talk about what's bringing you to therapy, answer any questions you have, and see whether we seem like a good match. There's no obligation to book a full session afterward.

What can I expect in the first full session? We'll spend the time getting a picture of what's going on for you — what brought you in, what you're hoping will change, and any relevant history. There's no pressure to have it all organized. My job is to help you feel heard and start building a plan together.

How often will we meet? Most clients start with weekly sessions, which tends to build momentum early on. As things progress, we can talk about adjusting frequency to whatever fits your needs and life.

Logistics

Do you offer telehealth, in-person, or both? Both. I offer telehealth for Arizona residents, along with in-person sessions at my Tucson office. We can also mix the two depending on what works for you week to week.

What's your cancellation policy? I ask for at least 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. Sessions cancelled with less notice, or missed without notice, are subject to a $50 no-show fee.

How long are sessions? Sessions are 50 minutes.

Cost & Insurance

Do you accept insurance? Yes — see the Rates & Insurance page for current accepted plans and private-pay rates.

Is couples therapy covered by insurance? No — My couples therapy is private pay only. Most insurance plans require an identified patient with a diagnosis to cover sessions, which isn't how relationship-focused work is structured. More detail is on the Rates & Insurance page.

What if I can't afford the standard rate? Reach out and let's talk about it — I want cost to be something we can work through together, not a reason you don't reach out at all.

Privacy & Confidentiality

Is what I say in therapy confidential? Yes. What you share stays between us, with a few legal exceptions therapists are required to disclose — such as risk of harm to yourself or others, or abuse of a child, elder, or dependent adult. I'll walk through the full details of confidentiality and its limits during your first session.

Is telehealth secure? Yes — telehealth sessions are conducted through a HIPAA-compliant platform designed to protect your privacy.

For Couples

What if my partner is hesitant to go? This is common — see the Couples Therapy page for more on how I handle this.

For Young Adults

Is this just for people in a crisis? No. A lot of young adults come in simply because they're figuring things out — career direction, relationships, identity — and want steady support while they do.

Do you talk to my parents about what we discuss? If you're an adult, our sessions are confidential, and I won't share details with parents or anyone else without your permission (with the legal exceptions noted above).

I'm on my parent's insurance. Will they see that I'm going to therapy? This depends on your specific insurance plan — some insurers send an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) to the primary policyholder that can list where and when services were received. If this is a concern, private pay avoids that entirely, or I'm happy to help you think through what to ask your insurer before we start.

I'm away at college most of the year — can we still work together? Yes, as long as you're physically located in Arizona during our sessions. Telehealth makes it possible to keep sessions consistent around a school schedule, including school breaks when you're back in state.

What if I don't really know what to talk about? That's completely normal, especially early on. You don't need an agenda — part of my job is helping you figure out what's actually going on underneath the "I don't know." We'll find our footing together.

How is this different from talking to a friend? Friends care about you, but they're not trained to help you work through patterns, and they're not a neutral, confidential space. Therapy gives you dedicated time that's entirely about you, without worrying about burdening someone else or being judged.

Still have a question that isn't answered here? Reach out — I'm happy to talk it through.