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frequently asked questions
How do you choose
a therapist?
One of the most important factors in the success of therapy is the
relationship that forms between the client and therapist, so it is important
that you find someone with whom you feel comfortable and understood. Other
qualities you might look for is someone who is compassionate, someone with whom
you feel you can open up and be honest with, someone who both accepts you for
who you are and believes in the possibility for your continued growth and
unfolding, and someone who can help you illuminate and untangle the bigger
picture of the specific problems you face. If you are looking for specific
approaches or credentials, that will  guide
your decision as well. Many people start the process by calling one or
more therapists and getting a sense of how it is to talk with them on the phone.
That can help you determine if you would like to take the next step by meeting
in person to see if it feels like a potentially good match. Sometimes it
takes a few sessions to get comfortable with a new therapist, but it shouldn't
take much longer than that to have a sense if it's a good fit.
How long does
therapy take?
There is no one answer to this question as each person arrives with
different goals and with their own unique personal history and style. Each
person moves along the healing journey in their own pacing, and one person might
feel complete when another would want to dive into a deeper layer of
self-discovery. Some people come specifically for short-term therapy to
resolve a discrete or time-limited concern, and others come for an open-ended
journey of growth and healing. What matters most is that you feel therapy
is continuing to take you in the direction you want to go in your life. By
staying connected to your vision for the life you want, and checking in
periodically with yourself and your therapist about your progress, you will know
whether the therapy is working for you and when you have reached your goals.
How much do you
charge?
I charge $125.00 for a fifty minute session. This session length
often works well for individuals, though some prefer the spaciousness of a
seventy-five minute session. I generally recommend sessions of
seventy-five or one hundred minutes for couples therapy and for EMDR or
Sensorimotor processing sessions, due to the nature of these types of therapy
sessions. Longer sessions and phone sessions exceeding 10 minutes are
charged at the same hourly rate on a pro-rated basis.
Do you take
insurance?
I am not presently on any insurance panels, but am happy to provide
receipts if you would like to submit them yourself for possible reimbursement.
Some people prefer to leave their insurance companies out of their therapy
experience for privacy reasons, to avoid having a diagnosis in their records, or
for other reasons, but some people do choose to involve insurance to help make
therapy possible financially. In any case, session fees are paid directly
by clients, and this may be done by cash, check or credit card.
Where is your
office located?
My office is at Solar Hill in Brattleboro, VT, just up the road from
Exit 2 of I-91, and the address is 229 Western Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301.
Solar Hill is a peaceful space and beautiful old mansion on a hill with a
yoga studio, offices of various healing professionals, and a lovely garden.
How often should
I expect to come in?
People usually start coming in once a week and then as the therapy
progresses and things begin to improve we might decide that coming in less often
will work. Weekly sessions make it possible for us to create momentum and
to establish the kind of trusting relationship which is necessary for therapy to
be effective. For those who are in crisis or feel motivated to work
intensively, two or more sessions a week may be possible, but generally once a
week works well for most people. 
How do I choose
between holistic therapy and EMDR?
There's no need to choose. EMDR is one very specific type of
holistic therapy which I offer, and I mention it separately because it is so
unique and because EMDR sessions look different than "regular" therapy.
Whether or not someone specifically comes to me for EMDR, I begin with a
holistic, integrated approach and draw from a wide variety of models to gain an
understanding about who you are and what you're hoping to gain from the therapy.
If EMDR seems like a useful approach to incorporate into our work, I may
recommend it -- either initially, or further down the line as a way to help
untangle or resolve a stuck place. Even with a therapy which is primarily
EMDR, each therapist brings their unique style and therapeutic approaches to
support that work. So there is no need to choose, and many people do
holistic psychotherapy without EMDR.
What kinds of
people seek therapy?
I see all sorts of people in my practice, ranging from those who are
interested in getting unstuck from old patterns, discovering how to live more
joy-filled life or have more satisfying relationships or work, to those who are
in serious emotional distress. Some people come because of ongoing
challenges such as anxiety or depression or feeling unsure about their life's
direction, and others come because of a situational challenge, such wanting
support and guidance during a time of transition or loss, or in preparation for
an anticipated event or difficulty. You don't need to be any particular
"type of person" or have anything wrong with you in order to take steps towards
living life more fully or with greater satisfaction or ease. Because the
nature of my work asks you to be a full participant and actively engaged in your
self-discovery and healing, many of my clients come highly motivated for change
and with an open mind.
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