Frequently Asked Questions
What does the “LCSW” after your name mean?
LCSW stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I am licensed to practice psychotherapy in Wisconsin and Illinois.
What are the benefits of therapy?
Within just a few sessions, most people begin to feel better. Many stop therapy after they feel they have solved the problem they first came in with. Many others continue on to address other emerging issues, or just to continue their journey of self-discovery and personal growth. Most people feel more self-confident, empowered, and hopeful as a result of their therapy experience with me.
Why do people choose to see you?
There is some aspect of their life that is causing them distress. Their usual ways of coping with feelings and solving problems are not working well for them. They seek a warm, caring, and compassionate person to help them solve their problems.
What is your healing philosophy?
I believe we are all born with a deep capacity for resilience and to achieve the most joyful and fulfilling life possible. The work to get there can be hard but the journey can be so rewarding. I also feel that if I am doing my job well, you will eventually no longer need me. You will develop your own self-awareness, access to your inner resources, and confidence in working through your problems.
What happens in a typical therapy session?
Many people come to the first appointment feeling nervous, especially if they have never seen a therapist before. We’ll start out with some light conversation until you are ready to talk about what you’re struggling with. I’ll probably let you do most of the talking and ask you lots of questions. Together, we will summarize what you hope to achieve from the therapy process and make a plan for how to get there.
How long is a session?
Sessions are typically 50 minutes.
How long will I need to be in therapy?
This is a difficult question to answer. It really depends on your goals and the complexity of the issues you want to address. The process works best for those who are motivated to attend scheduled sessions, have an open mind and the courage to face difficult issues, and have the willingness to try thinking about and doing things differently than you have before.
How do I best prepare for sessions?
For our initial session, it will be helpful to think about how your problem started, how you have responded to it, what has helped, what has not, where you are now, and what you hope to accomplish in therapy. To best prepare for ongoing meetings, you should reflect upon what we covered in our last session and any thoughts, feelings, or new events that have come up since. Also, if I invited you to do some homework between sessions, you should be prepared to update me on your progress.
When do you see clients?
I schedule sessions by appointment Monday-Friday from 10am to 6pm. Limited evening and Saturday appointments are available for those with scheduling challenges during the weekdays.
Do you accept insurance?
I am not an in-network provider for any insurance plans. However, many plans will still cover a portion of the cost. I will be happy to provide you with a monthly statement for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement or for your healthcare spending account (HSA).
I would like to schedule an appointment. What is the next step?
You can fill out the form on my Contact page, or you may call, text or email.