Email me to schedule a time to talk about your needs and how I may be able to help. The best predictor of a satisfying therapeutic experience is the relationship you have with your therapist; the more comfortable you feel with her/him/them, the more likely you are to experience positive change. Let’s chat and see if we may work well together.

Find somewhere private (even if it’s your parked car) and get cozy. You may want a blanket, a cup of tea, and box of tissues. Pets are welcomed (my pug is often snoring at my feet during sessions). Some people like to bring notes of topics they’d like to discuss, or take notes as we are talking.

Ideally, give yourself a buffer of at least a few minutes between whatever you’re doing before we meet (usually work or school) to breathe deeply, center yourself, and set an intention for your time in session.

That depends on you and your needs! There are a lot of wonderful resources out there in a variety of formats (articles, books, podcasts, videos) that can help you learn basic skills. While we may discuss or practice some of these skills in session, a self-help resource can’t replace the beauty of a warm therapeutic connection. You’ll share what’s on your mind, I’ll ask questions, we’ll identify areas of growth and brainstorm strategies. We’ll search for the root causes of the aspects of your life that are troubling you, so that with time, you can heal and thrive. Therapy is collaborative, and I invite you to give me feedback on how I’m doing and where I can try to better meet your unique needs.

Laughter is almost always involved. Tears may be, too. We’ll welcome it all.

What happens in therapy stays in therapy, with a few exceptions:

1. You are an imminent threat to yourself or to others.

2. You have described a child or an elderly adult is being abused or neglected.

3. There is some type of court order or subpoena.

Sometimes you may want your counselor to speak with someone else, such as your psychiatrist or other medical provider. In these cases, you can fill out a Release of Information that gives your counselor permission to share pre-approved information with the designated third party.

For more information, click here and here.

Whether you are paying out of pocket or through your insurance, if you cancel a session with less than 24 hours notice, you will be responsible for the full session fee.*

*UNLESS there happens to be an open appointment on the same day as the scheduled appointment that you can take (e.g. you are scheduled for Thursday at 10am and find out Wednesday evening you need to cancel; if I happen to have an opening at 2pm Thursday and you’re able to take that spot, then you would not be charged for the late cancel.

If I do not have an opening or if you are not able to take that opening, then you would still be charged.)

If you no-show a session (do not let me know in advance you are not able to attend), you will be charged the full session fee with no exceptions.

That’s up to you! Most people report feeling some relief after just a couple of sessions. Some people are in counseling for a couple of months to work through a particular problem, some come consistently for a year or more to work through something more chronic, and some people bop in and out as needed. As long as we’re making a clinically sound choice, I’m happy to meet you where you are.

I do accept some forms of insurance. When financially feasible, I recommend paying for therapy sessions out of pocket. You deserve to decide what your therapeutic needs are, not an insurance company. The biggest benefits to self-pay are maintaining your mental health privacy and having greater control over your treatment plan. If you would like to use your insurance, email me so we can see if I am in-network for you and determine next steps.

I am not a prescriber. If you are on medication already, you will continue to work with that prescriber (or I can assist you with finding someone new, if needed); if you are not on medication but are interested in trying it, I can help you connect with an appropriate prescriber.

Depends! If you’re an exisiting client, let’s talk about what you need and whether I can accommodate. All letters are assessed a base fee of $50 with any time above 15 minutes billed at a pro-rated rate of $180 per hour.

I do not write letters for Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) and I do not accept new clients who are solely looking for someone to provide documentation for an ESA or other purpose.

Weekly therapy can be valuable when it’s necessary, desired, and/or feasible, but it’s not your only option. Depending on your needs, biweekly therapy may be appropriate; in fact, the majority of my clients are doing well enough to meet with me biweekly. As long as we’re making a clinically sound decision, I’m comfortable meeting every 2, 3, or even 4 weeks.

Hello! How nice to see you again :) I love reconnecting with former clients. Feel free to email me to set up a consultation to see if this would still be a good match for your needs.

I’m an animal person, but it’s cool if you’re not.

Definitely Katie, unless you’re into formality :)

Oh, and if you’re curious, Mahan is pronounced May-Han (equal emphasis on syllables, han like hand without the d). Rhymes with Michael Strahan, different from Hunter Mahan, and we’re reaching the limits of my sports knowledge.