What can I expect in a therapy session?
The first one or two sessions will be interview format in which I ask you to explain your reason for seeking counseling, ask questions to better understand you and your situation, and discuss whether this service would be a good fit for you. Subsequent sessions are tailored to the individual- content and pace are set by you. I have a casual approach to therapy and add some humor to the mix while at the same time keeping focus on your goals. For some people this is work that can be done in a few months, for others the work is longer term. Everyone is encouraged to go at their own pace and collaborate with me to find what techniques are most helpful to you.
Do you take insurance and how does that work?
Yes, I am in network with Anthem Blue Cross, United Healthcare, New Avenues, and Prohealth. Please check with me if you do not see your insurance listed here, as I am continuing to panel with new companies.
How can therapy help me?
In general, counseling is about gaining greater understanding of yourself and improving skills and confidence to handle stress. Therapy can help bring relief to symptoms of depression, anxiety, panic, irritability, sleep issues, relationship problems, poor self-esteem, low motivation and energy, feelings of failure, or difficulty dealing with trauma, loss, or life changes. The goal is to feel happier and healthier, to have greater psychological flexibility, improved connection to life and other people, and feel a sense of peace.
How does yoga fit in to therapy?
When I was in college I practiced yoga for exercise and to relieve stress. I didn’t know then how relevant it was to the topics I was studying in school. As I continued my studies and pursued a career in mental health I began to see a crossover between the work I was doing as a therapist and my experience with yoga.
There is a lot more to yoga than just the physical practice that is most popular. There are eight components to yoga including theory on how to live a good life, breathing techniques, postures, and several different levels of meditation.
As a therapist I talked continuously about coping with stress, tolerating emotions instead of avoiding feelings, and breathing through distress. I was encouraging clients to think and live mindfully- to be present and accept each moment without judgement. These were all echoed by yoga theory and practice. In fact, I found that during yoga practice (meditation, breathing, or poses) was a great opportunity to practice what was learned in therapy.
I blend yoga and therapy to different degrees depending on the needs of each client. In individual therapy I often introduce mindfulness and practices such as calming breathing or meditation. In group therapy we are able to practice a wide range of yoga skills that are specifically relevant to the topic of the group.
There is a lot more to yoga than yoga pants and being flexible!