Your first therapy session is mostly about getting to know each other. I’ll ask a lot of questions about what’s bringing you to therapy, your mental health, social, and work history, and what you’re hoping to work on in sessions. You don’t have to prepare anything or know exactly what to say. We’ll just take it one step at a time and go at your pace.

It depends on what’s going on for you that day. Sometimes we’ll dig into patterns or hard stuff that’s been building up, and sometimes we’ll just focus on getting through the week. We might talk, build skills, process feelings, or a mix of all three. It’s your space, and I’m here to help you figure out what feels helpful.

That’s completely okay! Therapy is really personal, and the connection matters. If it ever feels like something’s not clicking, whether it’s my style or how I work, we can talk about it. No hard feelings at all! What matters most is that you get support that actually feels helpful. If I’m not the right fit, I’ll do my best to help you find someone who might be. You deserve a space that works for you.

I use Sessions by Psychology Today, which is a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. You’ll get a link to my virtual waiting room and join from your phone or computer. You just need to be somewhere private and physically in Kansas when we meet. Teletherapy gives you access to support without needing to leave your house, car, or wherever you feel comfortable.

Most clients meet weekly or every other week, depending on what they need. Sessions can be 30, 45, or 60 minutes long. Teens usually meet for 45 minutes, while adults often prefer 55-60. We’ll talk about frequency in your first few sessions and adjust as needed.

Yes! What we talk about stays between us, with a few exceptions for safety reasons. If you’re at risk of harm, if there’s child or elder abuse, or if something gets court-ordered, I may be legally required to break confidentiality. I’ll go over all of this during your intake so there are no surprises, and you can ask questions any time.

Life happens! You can cancel or reschedule through your client portal on Sessions Health or by sending me a message via text, email, Spruce Health, or the portal. Late cancellations or no-shows may be subject to a fee unless it’s due to an emergency. I’ll always do my best to work with you if something unexpected comes up.

Many clients need documentation for things like FMLA, school accommodations, or disability applications. I’m happy to talk about whether that’s something I can ethically and clinically support in your case. Just bring it up in session, and we’ll figure it out together.

I’m an eclectic therapist, which means I pull from a lot of different approaches based on what fits you best. That might include DBT, CBT, I-CBT, ACT, ERP/EXRP, mindfulness, or person-centered work. Some days we build skills, some days we process big emotions, and some days we just make space for you to breathe. We'll adjust as we go.

Yes! I’m in network with BCBS, KanCare/Kansas Medicaid (including Sunflower, Healthy Blue, and UHC Community Plan), ProviDRs Care, Quest Behavioral Health, and Ambetter. If you're planning to use insurance, I recommend calling your insurance company to double-check your mental health benefits before we start. You can also check out my Insurance & Rates page for more info.

Give your insurance company a call and ask what your coverage looks like for mental health therapy. It helps to mention these CPT codes: 90791 (intake), 90837 (60 min), 90834 (45 min), 90832 (30 min), and 90847 (family therapy). You’ll also want to ask about your copay, deductible, whether mental health sessions apply to your deductible, and if prior authorization is required.

Because of the contracts I have with insurance companies, I’m required to charge my full rate to anyone not using Open Path Collective. I am looking into additional hardship options for the future, though, and will update this if anything changes.

Open Path is a nonprofit that helps make therapy more affordable for folks who don’t have insurance or can’t afford full rates. If you qualify, you pay a one-time $65 membership fee to Open Path, then a reduced session fee to me each time we meet (usually between $40 and $70). You’ll need to register with them before we get started.

To work with me through Open Path, you need to either be uninsured or out of network with my practice. It’s designed for people who can’t afford standard session fees and have a household income under $100,000. If I'm in network with your insurance, I'm contractually required to bill them directly, so we can't use Open Path instead. My contracts with insurance companies don’t allow me to offer Open Path to in-network clients.

Private pay means you pay my full session fee out of pocket, and I can give you a superbill if you want to try for out-of-network reimbursement. Open Path clients pay a set reduced rate that we agree on when you register. Open Path doesn’t work with insurance, so it’s for folks who aren’t using their benefits and don’t want to or can’t submit a superbill.

Yes, absolutely. Therapy gives teens a space that’s just for them, where they can talk openly about what they’re feeling without judgment. It can help with stress, low self-esteem, tough emotions, relationship stuff, or just making sense of everything they’re dealing with. A lot of teens find it helpful to have someone neutral to talk to.

If your teen has been dealing with ongoing stress, anxiety, depression, changes in behavior, or seems more withdrawn or irritable than usual, therapy might help. You don’t need to wait for a crisis. If something feels off, getting support early can make a big difference.

I do my best to keep parents and guardians in the loop while also respecting your teen’s need for a private space. Most sessions are one-on-one, but we might have check-ins or occasional family sessions when it makes sense. I’ll keep you updated as needed and we’ll talk about how to support your teen from your side too.

Yes. Confidentiality is important for building trust, especially with teens. I won’t share session details unless there’s a serious safety concern or your teen gives me permission. I also go over what confidentiality looks like with both you and your teen in the first session so we’re all on the same page.

That’s pretty common. A lot of teens are unsure at first. I try to make therapy as welcoming and low-pressure as possible. Once they get a feel for what it’s like, many end up more open to it. It helps when parents can support the process without pushing too hard or expecting instant results.

It takes time, and every teen moves at their own pace. In the beginning, they might just be getting comfortable and learning how therapy works. Over time, you might notice changes in how they cope, communicate, or handle stress. I’ll check in with you when it’s helpful so you’re not in the dark, but the focus will stay on building a space your teen feels safe in.

I don’t usually provide crisis services or same-day appointments. My availability is limited to outpatient therapy during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. Sometimes I can squeeze in a sooner session if I have an opening, but if you’re in crisis or need urgent support, I recommend reaching out to a crisis line or going to the nearest ER.

You can also always call 911, call/text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), or reach out to the chat on the 988 website if you need immediate help.

If you feel like you’re at risk of harming yourself or someone else, please don’t wait. Go to the nearest emergency room, contact a crisis center, call 911, or dial 988 (the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline). You deserve immediate care, and there are people ready to support you.

Sometimes you need support but you’re not in immediate danger. Here are some helplines that offer emotional support from people who get it:

Blackline: 800-604-5841
*Centers BI&POC, LGBTQ+, Black Femme Lens

Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
*Run by and for trans people

Wildflower Alliance Peer Support Line: 888-407-4515
*Staffed by trained peer supporters

StrongHearts Native Helpline: 844-762-8483
*Centering Native and Indigenous communities

Thrive Lifeline: 313-662-8209
*Trans-led and operated

LGBT National Help Center: 888-843-4564
*LGBTQ+ support line