FAQ

Private Pay: $180 per 1 hour session

Out of network clients pay full rate and are provided an invoice for insurance reimbursement. Please check with your insurance plan for qualification.

Presbyterian/Magellan – BCBSNM – UnitedHealthCare/Optum – Molina
-Commercial
-Medicaid/Turquoise Care

I tailor my therapeutic approach to your specific needs, and therefore no two sessions are quite the same. In general, you can expect to discuss what’s going on in your life, your related thoughts, feelings and history, and discuss progress since the last therapy session. Our work together starts with a present moment awareness. What is explored and worked on is always relevant to how you are feeling and functioning now. I sometimes use research, books, skills-based exercises, mindfulness practices and other resources in our session, and I may encourage you to work on these skills outside of therapy.

Engaging in a therapeutic relationship with a professional can provide support, a skilled approach to problem solving, enhanced coping strategies, a different perspective when needed and, most importantly, a space that is about you and your concerns. The benefits to you depend on your goals and how you engage with the therapeutic process. Some benefits of therapy include:

• Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
• Developing skills for improving your relationships
• Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
• Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
• Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
• Improving communications and listening skills
• Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
• Discovering new ways to solve problems with your family, partner, or work
• Improving your self-esteem and boosting your self-confidence

Therapy may last a few sessions to several years depending on the needs and goals of each client, as well as the depth and complexity of the issues being addressed. Goals may vary from improving functioning, to improving coping, to managing emotions, to gaining ongoing support. Therapy is meant to support you on your healing journey, whether that includes short-term or long-term goals, or both.

Therapy often works best on a weekly basis, and it is especially preferred when getting started and creating stability. Eventually, based on your needs, session frequency may be reduced to every other week, or even as needed. 

The best way to get started is by filling out some brief intake paperwork so that I may have a better sense of your needs, and so you have a better understanding of the therapy policies and your rights. Usually the easiest way to do this is through the client portal, which you will be able to access through an email link. Here you can review and sign consent and policy documents, and fill out a few intake forms. You will continue to have access to the portal where you can review or print consent and policy documents.

If you prefer to fill out paper forms, I can easily send copies by email that you can print. If neither of these methods work for you, you are welcome to fill out any paperwork in the office at the first session. I am happy to provide paper copies of the consent and policy documents from the client portal at our first session. If for whatever reason you are not comfortable filling out any portion of the intake forms, please wait and we will discuss these together when we meet. Please note that the intake process might be adjusted for TeleMentalHealth sessions.

Please bring your current insurance card to your first session. You may want to contact your insurance company to understand your benefits, including any copay or deductible. It is not critical for you to have a clear plan or understanding of what you want to get out of therapy before your first session, although it is welcome if you do. Therapy will always be adjusted to the needs of each client, and we can explore goals and expectations together.

Much of how we think and feel is automatic, as we have developed mental and emotional patterns that have allowed us to perceive, think and respond quickly in order to function, cope and stay safe. Sometimes we can change these patterns quickly. Often it can take time to override past patterning and develop new ways of perceiving, thinking, feeling and being in the world. The most important step you can take is being compassionate and patient with yourself. Along with that, making a personal commitment to therapy and to growth and healing is valuable. Understand that every step you take is purposeful, even if there are times when it feels progress is not being made. Attending each therapy session and engaging in the process, both in session and in your daily life, goes a long way in encouraging healing and in achieving whatever goals you may have set for yourself.

Counseling is generally shorter in duration and tends to focus on specific issues, such as helping to manage or change a current situation. On the other hand, psychotherapy usually takes more time and reaches greater depth, such as with the healing of long term and ongoing mental and emotional distress. Emotional and psychological distress is often complex, as current difficult situations may be influenced by painful past experiences. My experience with both counseling and psychotherapy has allowed me to support and address the unique and individual needs of many different clients, especially through the integration of these approaches.

The currach (‘kuhr-rik) is a small Irish boat, mainly found on the west and southern coasts of Ireland. This light and graceful craft has been used for millennia in some form or another as a sea boat and a vessel for inland waters. The currach represents craftsmanship and resourcefulness, as well as a combination of self-reliance and togetherness. It represents the courage and faith it takes to undertake a pilgrimage or journey, to overcome rough challenges, to trust and rely on each other, to travel light, to be in the present moment, and to be at peace, in balance and in harmony. With Currach Counseling, the currach may also be thought of as the journey together, as well as that part of ourselves that is always with us, helping us on the journey out, and the journey home.