Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — I offer both in-person and secure virtual sessions, so you can choose whichever fits your schedule and comfort level, or mix the two depending on the week. Please ask about availability for in-person sessions, located in Chapel Hill.

I currently accept Aetna and I’m in the process of credentialing with Blue Cross Blue Shield. If you are outside of these networks, on request, I can provide a “superbill” which is a detailed receipt for out-of-network reimbursement. Reimbursement isn’t guaranteed, so please verify your out-of-network benefits with your insurance provider first.

I do not accept insurance for couples therapy.

I charge $135 for individual sessions, $175 for couples, and $260 for an extended couples session. Payments are processed securely through the client portal — Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and FSA/HSA cards accepted. Please inquire regarding the schedule and fees for group therapy rates for Circle of Security Parenting. I’m committed to offering a small number of reduced-rate sessions. Please email for availability.

Paying out-of-pocket gives us more freedom to tailor treatment to you, rather than fitting it into an insurance company’s requirements for diagnosis, modality, or session frequency. It also protects your privacy — insurance claims create a permanent record of your diagnosis and treatment details, which self-pay avoids entirely, a meaningful consideration for couples counseling or sensitive careers. This means faster access, no prior authorization delays, no narrow provider networks, and no risk of coverage being denied or cut off mid-treatment.

There’s no single “ready” moment — many people start therapy simply because something feels off, a relationship pattern keeps repeating, or a life transition (a new baby, a career shift, midlife changes) has stirred things up more than expected. If you’re asking the question, that’s often reason enough to have an initial conversation. A free consultation call is a low-pressure way to see if we’re a good fit before committing to ongoing sessions.

During the first session, I’ll review the logistics of our work, confidentiality, practice policies, and expectations for communication. I’ll also ask about what’s bringing you in, your history, and what you’re hoping will be different. For couples, the intake process is 3 sessions, where we’ll meet as a couple, then I’ll meet with each of you individually to understand each partner’s perspective and how you experience the relationship. My goal in session one is simply to start understanding your story and to make sure you leave with a clear sense of how we’d work together going forward.

Sessions are collaborative and conversational — not a script. Depending on what you’re working on, we might explore patterns from your past, practice new ways of communicating in the moment (especially in couples work), or simply create space to slow down and think clearly about what’s going on. I bring an active, research-informed approach: we’ll usually leave each session with some sense of what we uncovered and something to carry into the week ahead. Individual sessions are typically 50 minutes. Couples sessions run 55 minutes, since relational work often needs a bit more room to unfold. I do offer extended sessions for couples, for those moments when more time is needed.

I draw from several evidence-based approaches depending on what fits you best, including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Nurture-Play-Structure (NPS) for couples and attachment work, Circle of Security Parenting, CBT and DBT-informed techniques, mindfulness techniques and ACT. Rather than applying one method to everyone, I tailor the approach to your specific relationship, history, and goals.

Life happens, and I ask for as much notice as possible if you need to reschedule. Sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice are subject to a cancellation fee of $75, since that time is held specifically for you.