A 15-minute phone consultation is a free call with your new therapist to decide if you are a good fit. While therapists are trained to assist most people seeking therapy, your therapist should be able to meet your individual needs through their specialization and therapeutic style. During the consultation, you will be asked questions about your presenting problems, treatment history, psychiatric medications and hospitalizations, your functioning, your family and relationship dynamics, and what you wish to achieve in therapy. The therapist may also ask how you feel during the conversation. You can ask questions and obtain information from your therapist to ease any concerns you might have. You will both begin to have a sense of whether you are a good fit.

The practice cares about affordability for mental health services and is an in-network provider with major health insurance plans. Please see the fee schedule and accepted insurance plans on the Individual Therapy page. If you are using insurance, your plan determines your financial responsibility. You might have a deductible, a copay, or coinsurance. Fees are always transparent; there are no hidden costs for therapy. Your coverage will be verified before you start therapy and your costs will be explained to you. You are encouraged to call your insurance company at the phone number listed on the back of your insurance card.

The practice frequently works with students and academics and offers flexibility to accommodate your changing schedule.

Yes, if you are physically located in Illinois or Pennsylvania at the time of the session, where I am licensed to provide psychotherapy.

An individual therapy session is 55 minutes and takes place weekly. If the need arises, two sessions per week may be scheduled to ensure adequate support.

A psychodynamic therapist, at times called a depth therapist, considers the whole person during therapy, not just the symptoms. An attachment-based therapist has an additional specialty in developmental psychology and personality structure. They work to identify how early relational experiences may continue to shape emotional life, patterns of relating, and responses to stress. Psychodynamic and attachment-based therapy aim for long-term change, not only symptom relief.

Sometimes psychiatric medication is warranted to aid in treatment. Certain depressive symptoms, PTSD symptoms, and panic disorder may be resistant to talk therapy alone and might respond better to a synergistic approach. A referral to additional services will be discussed and provided in that case. Only a psychiatrist or a psychiatric nurse practitioner can prescribe and manage pharmacological treatment. The therapist and the psychiatric provider may consult to coordinate care, with your written consent.

Neurodivergence, including ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder, is sometimes confused with cognitive and emotional difficulties typical of mood disorders, depression, or anxiety. Lack of focus, procrastination, and low motivation stemming from neurodivergence are sometimes attributed incorrectly, but they may be the primary source of concern. Depression and anxiety can also develop secondarily when ADHD and ASD are unknown and untreated. At any point during treatment, your therapist may conduct a preliminary evaluation to establish a need for referral for a neuropsychological evaluation. A neuropsychological evaluation is conducted by a clinical psychologist and helps establish an official diagnosis, determine comorbidity, and clarify neurodivergence. If you are not seeking an official diagnosis, your therapist will still use the appropriate interventions to address your needs.

You can call or message your therapist through a secure portal. You can also email or text for scheduling and other non-sensitive issues. If you experience a crisis, call 911 or 988. If clinically appropriate, you may also reach out to your therapist for support.

Your therapist assesses your mental state by conducting an evaluation. If you experience active suicidal ideation with intent and a plan, your therapist will take appropriate steps to ensure your safety, which may include collaboration with emergency services or a higher level of care. When conducting Telehealth sessions, you will notify your therapist of your exact location so help can be accessed promptly.