FAQ

Some people go to therapy to get support with a specific problem, like trouble sleeping, grief, feeling more angry or sad than usual, thinking about suicide, or wanting to avoid friends and family. Other people like to see a therapist even when things are going well so that they can do deeper self-reflection, gain confidence, and practice resilience so they’re more equipped for tough times in the future.

Nobody “has to” go to therapy, but everybody has a right to receive support and care. If you could benefit from a caring, confidential relationship with an adult outside your family, then therapy might be for you.

The number #1 thing about therapy I wish I had learned sooner is that there are an infinite number of ways therapy can look! We could talk, dance, draw, scream, play a game…you name it. Therapy is your time and ultimately you get to decide what it looks like.

It’s okay if you don’t want what you want it to look like! I can offer structure and guidance. Generally, we’ll both get on a video call and start by checking in. I might ask about your day or week, and we’ll ease in with light conversation. 

Then we’ll move into some more specific content related to what we’re working on together. For example, maybe you’ll tell me about an argument you had with your parents, or time you felt anxious during class, or how you’re struggling to fall asleep at night. We might talk about specific tools you can use to cope, such as conflict communication skills to help with a conflict, or how to stay present when you feel like you’re checking out or leaving your body.

We’ll also explore what’s underneath what’s making things difficult. Your experiences are impacted by your unique personality, values, identity, history, and experiences. I’ll get to know you so that we can piece together how all of these factors impact the way you experience life.

Before your first session, I will send you and your guardian(s) some paperwork to sign. Paperwork can feel boring, but I aim to make the process empowering, so you’re coming in fully informed.

You’ll get a reminder email and/or text (your choice) about your appointment time. Before our appointment, find a quiet, soundproof place where nobody will interrupt you. You might want to go to the bathroom and grab a cup of water or tea before our session. Check that you have a strong internet connection, and click the link provided when you’re ready.

It’s helpful to have a special little ritual to set apart therapy from the rest of your day. You can do this with me on camera or on your own. You can create your own, or try one of these:

• Light a candle just for the session
• Sit in the same chair or wear the same comfy outfit every session
• Journal for 5 minutes before and after every session
• Clean your room right before your session
• Go for a walk right after your session

No, I don’t. A psychiatrist is a doctor who attends medical school and is able to prescribe mental health-related medicines. I am a psychotherapist, and I went to school specifically to do everything I’m describing on this website. If you have a psychiatrist, it might be useful for us to work together and talk to each other on the phone–with your permission, of course.

The answer to this question depends on what your goals are and how often we meet. Clients can meet with a therapist just a few times, or for many years. The most successful relationships I’ve had with clients have lasted at least six months.

I could tell you about the professional trainings I’ve been to, but a better answer is this: I’m queer. I’m nonbinary. I use they/them pronouns. My friends and community are queer. I’m not just studying LGBTQIA mental health from a textbook, I’m practicing using new pronouns and names and reshaping my perceptions of gender and sexuality every day because I surround myself with queer love.

You can schedule free consultation session directly on my calendar without even talking to me! Don’t worry, I’ll guide us when we get on the call. If you want to email me, don’t worry about sounding professional, using proper grammar, or spelling things right. Use emojis, send a meme to describe how you’re feeling, whatever you want. I’m here for it.

Oof, I feel you. I can’t wait to meet in person after this pandemic. I am able to send messages and emails about scheduling and billing, or answer a quick question here and there, but I’m not able to offer text-based therapy.

You know yourself best. I want to collaborate with you so that healing looks the way you want it to look. So, no. We never have to do anything you don’t want to do. That being said, working with the body is one of my strengths! If you’re more interested in a classic therapy technique like CBT (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy) or DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), I might not be the right match for you.

For clients under 18: Confidentiality is a top priority, and one of the reasons therapy is so powerful is because of the trust built between therapist and client. Generally speaking, I do not tell your parents anything you tell me in a session, unless you ask me to. My goal is to meet you where you’re at with regard to your autonomy. Some teen clients want their parents heavily involved, and some don’t want any parent involvement. We’ll talk about that in our first session.

Here is what I do tell your parents:

• I share all of the information about my practice, meaning the information on this website, and my paperwork. This is information about me and how I work with you, but not information about you.
• I tell your parents information that you want me to tell them. Sometimes, this can be helpful if there’s something you want to tell them, or an issue you want to resolve with them. I would only do this with your explicit permission.
• I tell your parents if I’m worried that you’re in danger. Part of being a responsible therapist means that I recognize my limits. I will never do this without talking to you first.
• Billing and money-related stuff. If your parents are paying for therapy, then they will know the dates of your appointments and whether or not you showed up.
• Starting in 2021, I will be accepting insurance. Your parents will also be able to see the diagnosis that I am required to list for insurance companies.

For clients under 18: Technically, no. In Vermont, teenagers do not need parental consent to see a therapist. Most teenagers I work with have some parental involvement because their parents pay for their therapy, but this is not required if you are able to pay on your own.

Yes, really. Therapy is a great place to talk about all of the things you can’t say in front of your parents or friends, and ask questions without being judged. I taught high school health and sex education before starting my private practice, so there’s nothing you can say that will surprise me.

 For clients under 18: Having suicidal thoughts and/or self harming (e.g. cutting) are not necessarily signs that I need to call your parent(s)/guardian. I want you to feel like you can come to me without being afraid that I’ll break confidentiality. It is likely that I will call another adult, like a parent, if I am worried that you’re in immediate danger. If you’re worried about this, we can talk through potential scenarios during our first session, and you are always welcome to ask me hypothetical questions.

For clients 18 and over: Having suicidal thoughts and/or self harming (e.g. cutting) are not necessarily signs that I need to call someone else. I want you to feel like you can come to me without being afraid that I’ll break confidentiality. Depending on what you are seeking when we start working together, part of our work together may be establishing a protocol for crisis, created by you with my support. This could mean that you identify someone in your life for me to call if I worry that you are in danger, or that we seek out community resources together. I will not make a decision about your health without you.