Therapy allows you to have a safe space that is non-judgmental to talk about your challenges and build on your strengths. I meet my clients where they are. I support adults in working to effectively achieve their personalized goals throughout the counseling experience. I address with clients what is working for them in their daily living, and work to build upon helpful skills to best address any challenges they are encountering.
I encourage the development of self-care practices, coping skills identification and implementation, often incorporating mindfulness-based practices, while learning additional communication skills and techniques. I often work with clients on identifying emotional triggers, processing effects of these triggers, and assist clients in learning new techniques to better manage triggers should they present. I also apply trigger identification and management towards substance abuse related issues.
Self-esteem, self-worth, and confidence issues are often addressed in my integrative approach. I frequently incorporate the use of confidence building exercises, positive affirmations and positive self-talk, processing challenges, and learning to build on a positive and healthy foundation for emotions.
I do encourage clients to be open to participating in counseling homework assignments, as new skills learned in the counseling process will also need to be implemented outside of counseling sessions to be effective. All skills information and homework assignments are tailored to the client’s needs and time availability for skill use. I also ensure these skills are tailored to the client’s abilities, such as reading comprehension.
Currently, all counseling sessions will be held virtually through TeleMental Health via HIPAA-secure video conferencing. Clients will access counseling sessions through their Client Portal on TherapyAppointment 2.0. Following your free 15-minute consultation, I will email you the invitation to create a free account in the TheraNest Client Portal. Your Client Portal will allow you to access your account details for scheduling and attending counseling sessions and arranging your method of payment.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy, referred to often as DBT, includes a wide range of strategies with roots as a cognitive-behavioral form of treatment. It is an evidence-based psychotherapy developed by Marsha M. Linehan for the treatment of borderline personality disorder. DBT incorporates techniques and skills into modules, including mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness skills. Additional modules have been developed by Dr. Lane Pederson with Cortney Sidwell Pederson in The Expanded Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training Manual. These modules include dialectics, cognitive modification, please problem-solving, building routines, in addition to modules relating to substance abuse.
Although DBT was initially designed to treat those with borderline personality disorder (BPD), this form of therapy has shown to be beneficial in varying situations. It can assist individuals with disorders, issues, or challenges, such as mood disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), relationship and interpersonal relationship difficulties, communication challenges, and emotion regulation difficulties. This counseling approach is also helpful for those with depression, anger management challenges, anxiety disorder, impulse control difficulties, suicidal ideation, and substance abuse issues or substance use disorders (SUDs). DBT is particularly helpful for those looking to improve their skills in managing negative emotions; being more mindful, present, and aware; hoping to increase communication abilities and skills relating to interacting with others; improve abilities to address and tolerate distress; and, desiring to learn techniques to regulate emotions.
Phone coaching services are offered free of charge to those attending DBT-Informed counseling services during the hours of 10:00am-8:00pm
Please fill in the free 15-minute Consultation form here to discuss beginning our counseling journey together. Following our consultation, I will email you the invitation to create an account in the TherapyAppointment 2.0 Client Portal. By creating the free Client Portal account you will have access to your account details for scheduling appointments, attending your sessions, and arranging your method of payment.
*Individual Counseling: $100 per 60-minute session. $140 for 90-minute session.
*Individual DBT-Informed/DBT-Comprehensive Counseling: $125 per 60-minute session. $180 for 90-minute session. (Free phone coaching included.)
*Counseling Intake Session: $200 per 90-minute intake session.
Individual Counseling sessions and Individual DBT-Informed Counseling sessions are each typically 60 minutes, but 90-minute sessions may be arranged if deemed appropriate or desired by the client. Counseling sessions that are 90 minutes are available at an increased rate.
The Initial Intake session is 90 minutes. Exceptions to this appointment length can be made, but only if absolutely necessary. Intakes are typically 90 minutes due to being detailed in nature which allows for assessment of specific needs and wants in the counseling process, as well as what has led to your goal to attend counseling.
While I do not currently accept Insurance, the receipt of payment may be used as a statement for insurance, should you desire to send it to your insurance company for possible Out of Network benefits reimbursement. I will be glad to answer any questions you may have and glad to provide you with a statement for your insurance company.
Individual counseling sessions are typically scheduled weekly. However, if more frequent or longer counseling sessions are desired, this may be arranged. Individual DBT-informed counseling services are provided at your own pace, but typically sessions are once to twice per week in 60-minute sessions. If longer sessions such as 90-minute sessions are desired, they are available for an increased rate.
Your communications with me will become part of a clinical record of treatment, and it is referred to as Protected Health Information (PHI). Your PHI will be stored electronically with TherapyAppointment 2.0, a secure storage company who has signed a HIPAA Business Associate Agreement (BAA). The BAA ensures that they will maintain the confidentiality of your PHI in a HIPAA compatible secure format using point-to-point, federally approved encryption.
Additionally, I will always keep everything you say to me completely confidential, with the following exceptions: (1) you direct me to tell someone else and you sign a “Release of Information” form. (2) I determine that you are a danger to yourself or to others.(3) you report information about the abuse of a child, an elderly person, or a disabled individual who may require protection, or (4) I am ordered by a judge to disclose information. In the latter case, my license does provide me with the ability to uphold what is legally termed “privileged communication.” Privileged communication is your right as a client to have a confidential relationship with a therapist. This state has a very good track record in respecting this legal right. If for some unusual reason a judge were to order the disclosure of your private information, this order can be appealed. I cannot guarantee that the appeal will be sustained, but I will do everything in my power to keep what you say confidential.
Currently all counseling sessions are held through TeleMental Health/Remote via HIPAA-secure video conferencing. I utilize TherapyAppointment 2.0 for counseling sessions, billing, and scheduling. In-person counseling services are not currently being offered.
Attending counseling sessions virtually through TeleMental Health is often more convenient for those with busy schedules, as you will not have to factor in time for travel to an office, can attend your counseling sessions from the comfort of your home or familiar space at a time that is convenient for you. I am licensed solely in the state of Georgia at this time and therefore, you will need to be residing within Georgia state lines.