FAQs

What is the benefit of longer appointments?

Couples Counseling has traditionally been offered in the standard 50-minute clinical hour, often in an agency where therapists are expected to see eight or more clients per day. For the therapist, there’s little time to prepare for the next client coming in the door. For the couple, they no sooner provide an update and begin to dig into an issue and “time is up.” They leave the session frustrated and discouraged, perhaps feeling that they’ve “picked at the scab” but for what? Everyone is doing the best they can in that situation, but there’s just not enough time to make significant progress.

Instead, I offer longer appointments (90 minutes, 3 hour, 1/2day mini-intensives, and one- or two-day Intensives) that gives adequate time to explore issues more completely, develop new communication and emotion regulation skills, and move forward more consistently.

Can we really change the way we relate to each other?

Let’s face it, change is hard. Think about how hard it is to start a new habit – exercising, eating more healthfully, changing alcohol habits, etc. But change IS possible when there is motivation, guidance, persistence, and practice. Learning to communicate effectively in conflict, or managing our reactivity when we are distressed are skills that can be learned and strengthened. But it takes practice to create real and lasting change. Research shows that it takes 20 hours of regular practice to learn a new skill. Don’t have 10,000 hours to learn new? That’s fine — all you need is 20 hours |  (ted.com)

What about insurance?  

Insurance reimbursement is based on a medical model of diagnosing and treating an illness, disease, injury, or pathology. Your relationship is not a medical problem. I accept cash, check, credit card, and Health Spending Accounts (HSA) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) Check with your benefits administrator for details and eligibility questions.

How does it work? What do I have to do in sessions?

I tailor my therapeutic approach to your specific needs. Our work is a partnership and I ask that you take an active role in the process by doing relevant homework, practicing skills learned in session, and being prepared for what you want to discuss in each session.