Frequently Asked Questions
Where are you located?
My office is located at the following address:
1225 NW 10th Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601
What are your hours?
How long are the sessions?
In-person and virtual individual sessions is 75 minutes for the initial session and 50 minutes for each subsequent session.
In-person and virtual group sessions are 90 minutes.
What is your fee?
Session rates are:
$135 for a 50-minute session.
$155 for a 75-minute session.
Do you take insurance?
No, I do not accept health insurance.
How do I pay for services?
Services can be paid using any of the following methods:
Cash
Check
Debit card
Credit card (VISA, Mastercard, AMEX, Discover)
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Zelle
What is your cancellation policy?
Because your appointment is reserved especially for you, I ask that you provide 48 hours’ notice for cancellations.
Canceling a session with less than 24 hours’ notice or failing to appear for your session will result in your being charged the full session fee.
With what age groups do you work?
With whom do you work?
What can I expect in the first session?
During our first session, I am focused on getting to know you better and exploring why you’re starting therapy. You’ll have the chance to share your story in a context where that story will be appreciated and your experience as a person of color elevated. Too often, we don’t have access to spaces to unburden ourselves of stressors without fear of judgment.
Some parts of that story are challenging and difficult to talk about. And you might come in feeling overwhelmed or struggling with sadness.
This is normal and welcomed. It’s all part of the journey of unburdening yourself to reveal a truer you.
What can I expect from the therapy process?
During the first 1-4 sessions, we will focus on understanding your world and what brings you to therapy. We will review and discuss your intake paperwork, which also helps me better understand you. Finally, we will identify and set goals to guide your experience in therapy.
Because we’ll be building a relationship and continuing to feel each other out, these first few sessions are also an opportunity for you to get a sense of me and how I conduct therapy.
It is important to state that either (or both!) of us might determine that you would be better served by another therapist – even after committing to work together. If this happens, I will refer you to another therapist in the community. I aim to ensure that you have the right care from the professional who can best help you.
Do I have to lie on a couch?
It is a common misconception that all therapy services involve the psychodynamic (Freud-style) laying on a couch. You will not be required to lie on a couch in our sessions.
I have a couch, however, and you may lie down in session if that is ideal for you.
Do you take notes?
How long will I be in therapy?
Your course of therapy is unique and based on various factors like your commitment to the process, fit with the therapist, and resources available to support you through the changes you’re making in therapy.
I generally serve clients for about six months before discussing the termination of therapy services.
Do you give your clients assignments to complete between sessions?
Yes! But doing the assignments depends on you.
I like to support you by offering additional resources outside of session. These resources, usually in the form of an online article or YouTube video, enhance your therapy by enriching your understanding of what we discussed in session.
Past clients have shared that these resources widened their perspective and were instrumental in helping them remain curious and compassionate as they explored their experiences.
If the idea of therapy homework is a turn-off for you, please know that I will never force you to do it. But richness awaits you if you do!
What happens when I am done with therapy?
Being done with therapy (we therapists call this “termination”) is a natural end to the process. I believe therapy should be a tool, not a crutch, so we will explore termination if I notice that you are progressing well and no longer need my support as you once did.
Termination will never be a surprise. I will never “spring” the discussion of termination on you. Instead, I will broach the topic in session and invite discussion. We will then talk about whether you feel ready for termination. We will alter our course and transition you out of therapy if you feel ready.
Once I terminate counseling services, is it over forever?
Not at all. You can always come back to counseling if you need support or if new challenges arise in the future. This is normal.
What is your style of therapy?
My style blends an approach called Narrative Therapy and a body-oriented approach called Somatic Experiencing.
Narrative Therapy helps you separate yourself from your problems. It then encourages you to rely on your skills to confront, address, and resolve those problems. When things happen to us, they become part of our personal story. We give these stories meaning, which shapes our identity. As we shape our identity, we create a richer sense of self. And as we create a richer sense of self, we can discover our life purpose.
Somatic Experiencing is a body-oriented therapeutic model for healing trauma and other stress disorders.
What is your professional training and experience?
I received my education specialist degree (EdS) in mental health counseling from the University of Florida.
As a Counselor Educator, I see the change process as just another process of learning. And because learning takes time, I provide you educational resources to support you work in therapy.
Do you prescribe medications?
I do not. Mental health counselors are not authorized to prescribe medications in the State of Florida.
How can I make the most out of working with you?
Practice self-compassion.
Any change is hard. And entering therapy means that you have opted into a process of change.
One of the most important ingredients to the therapy process is self-compassion.
Throughout our work together, I will return to this repeatedly. To make the most of our time, practice self-compassion.
Don’t know a thing about self-compassion? Don’t worry… that’s where I come in.
Commit to the process.
I am trained to support and aid you in changing your life, but I can’t do it without your permission and commitment.
Therefore, I need you to be committed to the change you seek. How you show up to therapy informs whether change is even possible.
Yes, you are that important to the process!
What do you enjoy about being a therapist?
Seeing people grow and living their potential is my favorite part of being a therapist. I get such an excellent opportunity to help people design what they want their lives to look like and then work with them on making it possible. I like being a guide and cheerleader to the clients that I serve.
I am ready! How do I get started?
I am so happy to hear that!
Before scheduling your first appointment, I would like to have a 30-minute consultation with you (it’s totally free). During this phone call, you can tell me why you want to start therapy. We’ll get to know each other better and see whether we feel we’re a good fit.
If we feel we are, we can move forward and schedule your first appointment. If not, I can refer you to a local therapist or recommend how you might find a better fit.
Give me a call, and let’s get started: (352) 642-6755.
