Frequently Asked Questions

Where are you located?

My office is located at

2335 Burton St. SE
Suite 130
Grand Rapids, MI 49506

Is your office handicap-accessible?

My office is located within a building that has stairwells that must be used to access the physical location. However, I do provide virtual options for those who cannot come in person.

What are your office hours?

I am available for clients according to preset scheduling times. I work within the following days and times:

Mondays: 9 am – 5 pm
Tuesdays: 8 am – 6 pm
Wednesdays: 8:30 am – 6:30 pm
Thursdays: 9 am – 5 pm

How long is a typical session?

Sessions are typically 55 minutes, though options for 85-minute sessions are available for ART and EMDR clients who would like to work through trauma at a faster pace. I also have availability for 30-minute sessions for children with specific trauma ages 5-9.

What is the session fee?

30-minute sessions (ages 5-9 only) – $80
55-minute sessions – $150
85-minute sessions – $190

Sliding scale and other options for payment at reduced rates are available. Call to ask for more information.

How do I pay?

I accept cash, checks, credit cards, debit cards, and HSA payments. I do require a credit or debit card be on file, regardless of the chosen method of payment.

Do you accept insurance?

After February 2, 2024, I will no longer accept insurance. I will provide superbills for clients who wish to seek reimbursement for services after paying for them out of network. I cannot guarantee that your insurance will reimburse you or at what rate, so I encourage you to give your insurance company a call and request information about your policy regarding superbill reimbursement and mental and behavioral health services. Superbills often require an official medical diagnosis.

Why do you not take insurance?

The reasons I do not take insurance are multifaceted. Most of my reasons for not accepting insurance payment a for the benefit of my clients. Some of the reasons are for my own health and well-being. It is important to me that my clients are well-informed to make positive decisions for themselves. Here are some of my top reasons for not accepting insurance.

When you agree to submit claims to insurance, your confidentiality and privacy go out the window. Your insurance has access to all the notes and records your therapist keeps, which can be audited by any employees of the insurance company for any reason. The employees, who are typically non-therapists, are hired to make sure that the company is not over-paying for services and will look for fraud and over-use of insurance and will assess clinical notes to decide whether or not you are “progressing fast enough.” At any point, they can decide to simply not cover any future (or past) sessions for these reasons.
If you pay using insurance, you must have a diagnosis, which assumes that you have an illness. Not everyone is diagnosable, and diagnoses are not beneficial for everyone. If I diagnose someone with something just so that they can use their insurance, but they do not legitimately have that illness, that constitutes insurance fraud and is not fair to you, me, or the insurance company. This is a practice some therapists will participate in, but I will not as it crosses my ethical boundary line.
Diagnoses can negatively impact you in ways you might not expect. When applying for life insurance or a new job, they may ask for your health records. All previous diagnoses are listed and could result in rejection, having higher insurance premiums, or limiting your future work options. I don’t believe this is fair or right and is certainly not in the best interest of my clients. You should be able to have access to quality mental health services without being afraid that it could negatively affect your future.
Retroactive Claim Denials are a real thing and are often referred to as “clawbacks.” Clawbacks happen when an insurance company audits a client’s notes and decides to require the therapist to pay back the insurance company for previously paid-for services. This can happen years later. This can be done for any reason, including something as insignificant as grammatical errors within notes.
Insurance companies contract with providers and give lower rates, which they pay out whenever they get around to it if they decide to pay at all. After taking insurance for a couple of years, I found that with my family’s needs, the payout was simply not sustainable. I would much rather provide reduced-rate services based on the client’s financial ability and still have time to spend with my family.
I love what I do, but I do not want to get burned out on work only not to have time to spend with my four children and husband. My level of wellness directly impacts your ability to heal. I need to be at my A-game to give you the best I’ve got while also making time to give my best to myself and my family. Insurance significantly reduces my ability to care for both my work and my home life.

What is a Good Faith Estimate?

A Good Faith Estimate is a form required by the Federal Government for specific medical providers in order to protect the general public. You can find out more about the Good Faith Estimate and No Surprise Act here.

Do you have a cancellation policy?

I require a 48-hour cancellation notice prior to a session, with the exception of emergencies. If you cancel 24-47 hours before the session, you will be expected to pay half the cost of your typical session fee. If you cancel within 23 hours or do not show up without prior cancellation, your card on file will be charged the full-service fee.

What is your Privacy Policy?

I follow HIPAA Privacy Practices which you can see here.

Who is your ideal client?

My ideal client is not a part of a specific demographic. I enjoy working with people who have suffered from trauma, phobias, and ongoing anxiety. I love working with clients who are dedicated to bettering themselves for any reason. Ideal clients look in the mirror and say, “I can do hard things,” and are willing to step into the areas that make them afraid because they know that is where they will create confidence.

What age range do you work with?

I work with ages 5-55, but children must be able to come weekly to begin therapy.

Are you LGBTQIA-friendly?

Yes! I love to work with and affirm all people, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

Do you work with people from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, and religions?

Absolutely! I finished graduate school with an award in Multicultural Counseling. I am a biracial daughter of an immigrant mother who grew up in a richly diverse and open community. Cultural competence is a must for me and an area I desire to keep engaging in.

What is therapy like with you?

This depends a bit on which techniques we are using. I am always open and affirming with all of my clients, and I strive to create a calm and safe environment that is genuine to who I am. Some days, counseling will be more like having a conversation with me and exploring your life and desires, while other days, it will be more focused and directed at actively healing.

Do I have to tell you everything?

Nope. In fact, if you are choosing EMDR or ART as a mode of therapy, all you will need to give me are “headlines” of the issue and nothing more. You choose what you share and when you want to share it.

What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy is a gold-standard therapeutic intervention used to heal a multitude of symptoms. Actively working within your body and brain, we use bilateral stimulation (left-right movement) to engage the healing process. See my EMDR page for more information.

What is ART?

Accelerated Resolution Therapy is a lesser-known cousin of EMDR but with amazing success rates! Many of my clients who have gone through it have referred to it as “a magic trick” because it works fast, and the changes are long-lasting. See my ART page for more information.

Do you offer video or phone sessions?

I provide teletherapy through secure video services. I do not offer phone sessions for therapy.

Is your furniture comfortable?

My couch has been used as a napping station from time to time by more than one person. Most people do not fall asleep during the session, but many leave more relaxed than when they came in.

Should I wear waterproof mascara?

While not always needed, this may be a good life choice if you want to wear mascara and do something after a session without looking like you’re related to the Hamburglar. Otherwise, plan ahead for a touch-up if necessary.

Am I allowed to ask personal questions?

Sure! It’s my rule, though that just as you don’t have to answer questions I ask, I can also decline to answer questions you ask. But some common questions I get asked include:

How many kids do you have: 4.
What do you do for fun: Sports! I love running, soccer, softball, hiking, backpacking, and I enjoy coaching.
Favorite Books: The Fablehaven and Dragon Watch series by Brandon Mull and The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch
Favorite Animal: Goats. I love goats. Goats are the G.O.A.T.
Favorite Color: Red.

What apps make your life better?

I love my Strava app to help me connect with other athletes and keep myself dedicated to my own physical and mental well-being. I get a lot of use out of my Habit Now app which helps me track habits and tasks. AllTrails also is well used when I’m traveling and looking for great hikes for my family or planning a fun backpacking trip.

Unicorns or Dragons?

Dragons. Preferably red ones.