counseling

I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor, National Certified Counselor, and Board Certified-Telemental Health Provider. I work with individuals and couples of all backgrounds. All identities, cultural backgrounds, sexual-affectional orientations, and relationship constellations are welcome.

I have worked in the mental health field for almost 20 years in mentor, peer support, qualified professional and clinical counseling roles. I have been trained to work with adolescents, adults, couples, and families dealing with a variety of mental health concerns, and I am committed to helping my clients move toward their personal goals. My theoretical approach to counseling is primarily Person Centered in nature. At my core, I believe that we each innately possess the skills necessary to achieve growth and self-actualization. As such, it is my role as your counselor to help provide growth-promoting conditions that will support the development of inner control, self-worth, and self-confidence for my clients. At times, a more directive and action-orientated approach may be needed and I find that Cognitive Behavioral techniques are a good supplement. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy teaches individuals to examine and restructure unproductive behaviors and replace negative thought patterns. I practice this therapeutic approach by integrating supporting techniques from other therapies as needed. When appropriate, I teach coping skills and use behavioral homework tasks, artwork, writing or other expressive techniques to help clients reach their therapeutic goals. Although, my personal theoretical orientation may be Person Centered in nature I am competent in a variety of treatment modalities including, but not limited to, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Existential Therapy, and post-modern approaches such as Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and Feminist Therapy.

Sex therapy is a specialized intervention and is different than clinical mental health counseling. Although sex therapy requires a separate assessment, goal setting, and behavioral treatment that might touch on biopsychosocial history, the focus will be on behavioral interventions and tools to help you reach your goals. Please note, sex therapy is not covered by insurance.

My client presenting concerns tend to center around:

• Improving self worth/self esteem

• Personal growth

• Improving personal communication

• Exploring values/personal belief system and impact on current life experiences

• Improving mood

• Decreasing anxiety/worry

• Improving communication with significant other

• Increasing sexual intimacy

• Exploring self as a sexual being

• Navigating partner’s dissonant expectations of sexuality/sexual behavior

• Exploring faith/religious values and impact on sense of self/self in relationship

• Working through a recent life transition or significant experience (grief/loss, job loss, new parenthood, new health diagnosis, etc)

Please note: I provide non-emergency, outpatient counseling services to individuals and couples, age 18+.

Next Steps:

1. Call (980) 216-4735 to schedule a free consultation call. We will complete a screening to determine our ability to move forward based on availability, payment, and counselor expertise/scope of practice.

2. You will receive a request to set-up a client-profile on my electronic health record system and through Headway (only if you plan to use your insurance coverage to pay for sessions). If you choose to use insurance, your coverage (including required co-pay) will be verified before you can schedule an initial session. An intake session will be scheduled, based on counselor availability, upon the completion and receipt of all required demographic, professional disclosure, informed-consent documentation.

3. Attend your first session (face-to-face or virtually). We will complete a biopsychosocial, couples counseling, and/or sexuality assessment. At the end of our session we will brainstorm and set goals for our work together. Payment for services rendered is required promptly at the completion of each session. You may be assigned therapeutic homework to complete on your own between sessions.

4. Schedule and attend a follow-up session. Depending on your presenting concerns and goals for counseling, it is common for clients to attend weekly or biweekly sessions for a period of period of 6-12 months (and beyond).

In-Network Provider for the Following Plans:

• Blue Advantage

• Blue Care

• Blue High Performance

• Blue Home with Novant Health

• Blue Options

• Classic Blue

• North Carolina State Health Plan Network

Per Session Fees:

• Individual Counseling (60 minutes): $175

• Couples Counseling (60 minutes): $200

Electronic payment accepted. Superbill provided upon request.

Cancellation Policy: A late cancellation fee of $75 per session will be charged if you do not cancel within 24 hours of your scheduled appointment or if you “no show”. Fees must be paid prior to scheduling a follow-up appointment.