Questions You May Have

Getting Started

  • If you've been thinking about therapy that's usually a sign worth paying attention to. You don't need to be in crisis or have a significant mental health concern to benefit from therapy. Many people come to therapy because something feels off, because they're navigating a major life change, or simply because they want a dedicated space to understand themselves better. If you're curious, that's enough reason to reach out.

  • The first step is to reach out, either through the contact form on this site or by phone. From there, we’ll schedule a free 15 minute phone consultation. This will be an opportunity for you ask questions, share what is bringing you to therapy, and start to get a feel for whether we might be a good fit. There’s no committment required. If we both feel we may be a good fit, we can schedule your first appointment.

    Not sure what to say in that initial message? You can include as much or as little information as you want. Something as simple as “I’m thinking about therapy and want to see if we’re a good fit” is a great place to start.

  • Yes! I offer a free 15 minute consulation for all new clients. This is an opportunity for us to connect, for you to ask any questions you may have and for me to share a bit about myself and my approach to therapy. It provides us both with an opportunity to start to determine if we will be a good fit before scheduling a first appointment.

  • Our first session will be about getting to know each other. I’ll ask questions about what is bringing you to therapy, your background, and what you’re hoping to get out of our work together. However, there’s no pressure to dive in to everything in our first meeting and we will always go at your pace. I’ll also make time for you to ask any questions you may have about me, my background, and my approach to therapy. At the end we should have a good idea of what direction we are going and what working together will look like.

  • Finding the right therapist is a little like finding the right pair of shoes — it really does matter that it fits. I offer a free consultation so we can get a sense of whether working together feels right before you commit. During that call, you're welcome to ask me anything. If at any point in our work together you're feeling like it's not clicking, I'd rather you tell me than quietly wonder. We can talk about it openly, adjust our approach, or I can help connect you with someone who might be a better match.

The Therapy Process

  • My approach is rooted in existential and feminist therapy — which sounds academic, but in practice it means this: I believe we're all wrestling with the same fundamental questions about life, meaning, connection, and who we are. And I believe who you are can't be separated from the world you live in. The impact of systems like patriarchy, racism, heterosexism, and ableism isn't abstract, it shapes how you see yourself and what feels possible. Good therapy has to hold all of that.

    That said, I'm not rigid about method. I also draw from ACT, DBT, and mindfulness when they're the right fit. Always in service of what's actually useful for you, not because it's what I use with everyone. You bring the self-knowledge; I bring the psychology. Together, we put both to work.

  • This is a difficult question as there is no one-size-fits-all answer. For some people, therapy may be a short term endeavor where we focus on one concern from a more solutions focused perspective. For others, it may be an ongoing relationship that evolves over a longer period of time. We’ll check in regularly to assess how therapy is going for you, determine if we need to make any adjustments, and decide collaboratively when our work together may be done.

  • I generally meet with clients on a weekly basis, especially at the beginning when we are establishing our relationship and building momentum. As our work progresses, you may choose to shift to meeting every other week or even less frequently. We’ll talk about what makes sense based on your goals, your schedule, and what feels sustainable.

  • Yes — what you share in therapy stays between us. Confidentiality is a cornerstone of the work we do together, and I take it seriously. That said, there are a few legal exceptions I'm required to follow: if I have reason to believe you or someone else is in immediate danger, if there is suspected abuse or neglect of a child or vulnerable adult, or if I receive a court order. I'll go over all of this with you during our first session so there are no surprises.

  • My practice is currently focused on individual therapy. If you're looking for couples or family counseling, I'm happy to provide referrals to trusted colleagues who specialize in that work.

  • My practice is focused on adults 18 and older. If you're looking for a therapist for someone younger, I'm happy to help point you toward someone who specializes in that work.

Insurance & Fees

  • I am currently in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) PPO plans. If you have BCBS PPO insurance I can bill your insurance directly and your cost will depend on your individual plan’s copay and deductible. You may wish to reach out to your insurance provider before your first session to confirm your mental health coverage.

  • If you have different insurance or no insurance, I work on a private pay basis. My standard session fee is $200. Some insurance plans offer out of network coverage. If you would like to try and get reimbursed through your insurance you would need to pay for sessions up front and then I can provide you with a superbill. I would encourage you to confirm out of network coverage with your insurance provider before beginning work with me if this is your plan.

  • Payments are processed securely through SimplePractice, the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system I utilize. Major credit cards and debit cards, as well as FSA and HSA cards are accepted. Payment is due at the time of your session. You will need to put a card on file as part of the intake process.

  • Life happens, and I completely understand that things come up. That said, I do ask for at least 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule a session. Late cancellations and missed appointments will be charged the full session fee. If you have questions or something unexpected comes up, please don't hesitate to reach out — I'd always rather hear from you than not.

  • Knowing what to expect — including what things cost — is part of feeling safe and informed as you begin therapy. Here's what you should know.

    The No Surprises Act is a federal law that took effect January 1, 2022. It gives you the right to a Good Faith Estimate — a written, upfront estimate of the expected cost of your care — before services begin. If you're uninsured or paying out of pocket, I'm required to provide this to you when scheduling, or whenever you ask.

    Your estimate will include the expected cost per session and an anticipated number of sessions based on what we know at the start. That said, therapy doesn't always follow a straight line — the number of sessions that's right for you will depend on your goals and how our work together unfolds. We can always revisit the estimate as things evolve.

    If you ever receive a bill that is $400 or more above your Good Faith Estimate, you have the right to dispute it. Details on how to do that will be included with your estimate.

    Have questions? I'm happy to talk it through. For more information, you can also visit cms.gov/nosurprises.

Telehealth

  • All sessions at Trailhead Counseling are conducted virtually through SimplePractice, a secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform. No app download is required, you'll receive a link before each session and can join directly from your browser on a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Sessions feel a lot like an in-person appointment, just from the comfort of wherever you are.

  • You'll need a device with a camera and microphone (a smartphone, tablet, or laptop all work well), a reliable internet connection, and a private space where you feel comfortable talking. It’s important to think about where you will be when you join your telehealth appointment. You must be located in the state of Illinois at the time of your appointment and you will want to ensure you feel comfortable discussing personal information wherever you are. This may require you to get creative depending on your circumstances. I’ve had clients join from their cars, private rooms at the library, or by reserving a “phone booth” at their office.

  • I am licensed to practice in Illinois, which means I can see clients who are physically located in Illinois at the time of our sessions. If you live in Illinois but travel frequently, please let me know and we can talk through what that means for scheduling. If you're located outside of Illinois, I'm not able to work with you at this time.

Crisis Support

  • If you're experiencing a mental health emergency, please reach out to one of the resources below or go to your nearest emergency room. While I care deeply about your wellbeing between sessions, I'm not able to provide crisis services. If you're unsure whether what you're experiencing is a crisis, please err on the side of reaching out for immediate support.

    988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Call or text 988 Available 24/7 for anyone in emotional distress or suicidal crisis.

    Crisis Text Line Text HOME to 741741 Free, confidential crisis support via text, available 24/7.

    The Trevor Project Call 1-866-488-7386 | Text START to 678-678 | Chat at thetrevorproject.org Crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ young people under 25.

    Trans Lifeline Call 877-565-8860 Peer support for trans people in crisis, run by and for the trans community.

    Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline Call 877-863-6338 | TTY: 877-863-6339 Free, confidential support for survivors of domestic violence in Illinois, available 24/7.

Still have questions?

I’m happy to answer anything else during a free consultation. Please feel free to reach out.