Frequently

Asked Questions

Logistical Questions

  • While I don't take insurance (yet), I do offer a solidarity fee scale as part of my commitment to justice and a superbill for clients who have out of network benefits with their insurance or a health reimbursement account. We'll determine a fair fee together in our consultation.

    The range I'm offering right now is $100-$300. The true cost of one session is $235, which allows me to be fully resourced for myself and my community. Folks who are able to pay the higher range of the solidarity scale are supporting my solidarity work including free support letters for gender affirming care and lower fees for folks with fewer resources.

    Here's a way to think about where you might fall on the solidarity scale.

  • For therapy, not yet. I only offer telehealth sessions right now. Please check back in summer 2025.

    For organizations, teaching and training, yes!

  • I get it, life happens!

    For therapy clients, please use the client portal to cancel or reschedule your appointments.

    For all other services, please email me to reschedule a time.

    If you cancel with less than 24 hours' notice, I charge the full amount for the session.

  • I’m a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in the state of NY. That means that I have a master’s degree in social work and passed two licensing exams. I also have training in family therapy and play therapy. For a complete list of my experience and certifications, check out my CV.

  • How long therapy will last for you depends on your goals. We'll check in periodically on progress and if we work together for a year, we'll spend time thinking about how we'll know that our goals are complete. I also offer more brief treatment and referrals to other providers when needed.

    For all other services, we’ll decide together what type of partnership makes the most sense, and we’ll check in periodically on progress.

  • I believe that social justice (racial & economic justice, ending gender disparities, queer liberation, abolitionism, and more) as well as environmental justice (climate justice, ending fossil fuel & single-use plastics, food justice, and more) are the most pressing needs of our times. Everyone has something to offer these movements. Supporting those fighting for change with mental health support is my humble contribution.

Therapy Questions

  • Welcome! I’m glad you’re considering therapy. You deserve to feel well. This FAQ section should help answer some of the questions you might have and let you know what to expect. It’s okay to be nervous or uncertain. If you check it out and are still unsure, a consultation call can be a helpful way to get a real feel for what therapy is like. My suggestion is to go with your gut—if it feels right, give it a try. Therapy doesn’t have to be forever.

  • We’ll meet for about 30 minutes by phone or secure video chat, your choice. I’ll ask what’s making you think about therapy now, what you’re hoping for, and if you’ve done any therapy in the past. This usually leads to a short conversation. There will be time for you to ask questions and we’ll go over logistics like the cost, timing, and cancellation policy. The call ends with a plan: whether you want to take some time to think about it, book a session, or get a referral.

  • A typical session starts with a short check-in on how you’re (really) feeling, then I give my ideas about what we may work on and invite your input. We talk and I ask questions to help you go deeper, consider things differently, and see where you might want to make small changes. I often offer activities to go beyond talking, in sessions & for homework.

  • I love this question! In the beginning of our work together, we’ll set goals. We’ll know therapy is working if we’re meeting those goals. I check in on our goals periodically, and this is a great time to step back and reflect on what you’ve accomplished and how you’re feeling about therapy. That said, you don’t have to wait to talk about your progress, so please bring it up at the beginning of our next session together. Therapy ends when we meet our goals, or decide therapy is no longer useful. Then we schedule an ending session to reflect on our work together and think ahead to what your next steps might be.

  • I cannot prescribe medication. If you are interested in medication to support your mental health, I offer referrals to psychiatrists. If you’re taking medication for mental health, I can coordinate care with your other providers, with your consent.

  • With your consent, yes.

  • Spirituality is a source of strength for many and if it’s part of your life, I welcome you to bring it into our work together. Sometimes this takes the form of exploring a religious teaching and how it impacts your behavior or how you see the world. I am respectful of your beliefs, including having no beliefs. I do not offer pastoral care or religious counseling.

  • Yes. For many, sex and sexuality are important parts of our personal wellbeing and intimate relationships. I support individuals and relationships seeking to understand what role sex has in their lives (if any) and improve their sexual connections and intimacy.

Is what we talk about in therapy confidential?

Yes, in most cases. The only times I can break confidentiality are:

 1. When you give consent for me to speak with someone else, like a doctor or another therapist, about yours or your child’s care.

2. If I am court-ordered or subpoenaed.

3. If I am concerned for your safety, I may have to break confidentiality in order to coordinate your care and keep you safe.

4. If I am concerned that you are going to harm someone else, I have a professional duty to warn that other person/ people.

5. I am a mandated reporter. That means if I’m concerned about the welfare of a child or adult under your care, then I have to report it to the appropriate authorities.

Safety is something that can feel hard to talk about. I like to talk about it up front and early on in our work together so that we know what will happen in an emergency, which can make it feel a little less scary. I do my best to honor your choices.

Confidentiality

More About Confidentiality

  • Children and teens can’t consent to their own therapy, so a legal guardian has to give consent on their behalf and have access to their treatment progress and case notes. That said, children and teens are also entitled to confidentiality. I ask what young people might want to keep private before discussing their progress with a caregiver.

  • In therapy with more than one person, sometimes we might have sessions with only certain members present. Before we come back together as a full unit, I’ll ask what you'd like to be kept private.

  • I think of a secret as something that significantly impacts the relationship. There are many things a person may wish to keep private that do not impact their relationship, but I cannot keep a secret and continue being a useful therapist for your relationship. If a secret is shared with me, and we find ourselves at an impasse, we may have to end therapy.