Can therapy help treat anxiety, trauma, and PTSD symptoms?

You feel exhausted and overwhelmed; you’ve tried to figure it out on your own, but you feel stressed out and anxious all of the time. You wonder if it’s finally time to ask for help, but you dread leaving a bunch of voicemails, waiting and wondering if someone will call you back. Asking for help is a big first step, and it can be overwhelming when you don’t know what to expect. During your free telephone consultation appointment we can briefly discuss your concerns, and decide together if therapy might be able to help you start feeling better.

When will I start feeling better?

You’ve been feeling this way for a long time, and you wish there was a magic pill that could make the memories and anxiety go away. While the process of therapy is not quick or easy, the results can be life-changing! After your initial phone consultation, we will spend the first few sessions discussing your concerns in detail and deciding together if trauma-focused therapy is right for you.

We’ll discuss specific treatment options, and I will let you know exactly what to expect along the way. Typically, one “round” of therapy means attending weekly appointments for about 2-4 months, with each session lasting 50 or 75 minutes (depending on which therapy approach we are using). You will be expected to attend sessions regularly and practice the skills between appointments, so that you have the best possible results towards reaching your goals!

While therapy is a process that cannot be predicted or guaranteed, most people who complete a “round” of trauma-focused treatment report that their symptoms are less frequent and less severe. In addition, clients tell me that they are able to cope better after therapy. Even when symptoms occur, they are able to participate in meaningful activities at work, home, school and with loved ones. While I can’t offer a magic pill or a time machine to undo the past; it is possible to recover from traumatic events and build a stronger future.

What type of therapist are you?

When you have lived through traumatic events, the last thing you want to do is open up and blindly trust others. You’ve been burned before, and it feels safer to handle this all on your own. After living through traumatic events, you feel skeptical about others who say that they “know what you’ve been through”. While I don’t know exactly what you have been through, I will listen with honesty and empathy, and guide you through therapy in the hopes of meeting your goals, reducing your symptoms, and helping you live your best life.

Success in therapy depends on having a “good fit” with your therapist. We will spend the first few sessions discussing your experiences and symptoms, and I will provide you with specific information about the therapy options available. We will decide together what approach is most likely to help you, and whether I am a “good fit” for your needs.

Research shows that CBT treatments are most successful when people attend sessions every week, and practice the skills between appointments. When working to reduce the impact of trauma and PTSD, treatment generally lasts 2-4 months. This doesn’t mean that your memories and symptoms will disappear, however, I will guide you through specific tools and techniques, providing a roadmap towards feeling better.

Are you trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?

Anxiety and PTSD symptoms make you feel overwhelmed, unsafe, and out of control. You want to ask for help, but every website lists different treatments and techniques and it’s a bunch of confusing acronyms. You’re left feeling helpless and hopeless, believing that no one will understand and nothing can help.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an umbrella term for a style of therapy approaches. In CBT, you work with your therapist to understand the ways in which your thoughts and actions may be keeping you stuck feeling anxious and overwhelmed.

What types of therapy help reduce anxiety and PTSD symptoms?

For over 10 years, I have helped clients reduce their anxiety and PTSD symptoms, using CBT approaches. I specialize in trauma-focused therapy, including Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure, and Cognitive Behavioral Conjoint Therapy. Starting therapy can be overwhelming, and these treatment names probably sound meaningless! My job is to listen to you, and provide recommendations for a roadmap to reduce your symptoms and start feeling better. Please contact me if you would like to learn more about these treatment options, or schedule a free 15-minute consultation to determine if trauma-focused therapy could help you feel better.

Do you take my insurance?

At this time, I do not accept any insurance plans. However, I can provide you with a monthly superbill to submit for reimbursement (e.g. many PPO plans provide partial reimbursement for “out of network” providers).

Each policy is different and it is your responsibility to contact your insurance company to confirm your plan coverage, copay requirements, and “out of network” reimbursement rates. Note: if you request reimbursement from your insurance company, they may require documentation of your sessions (including a diagnosis). We can discuss any concerns during your consultation, to determine if this is the right option for you.

How much does therapy cost?

As an expert in trauma-focused therapy, I will provide you with clear information about the therapy approach, so that you can decide if I’m the right therapist to help you.

Fees are determined by the session length and the type of treatment that is best for you. Sessions are typically 50 minutes and cost $225 for individual or $250 for couples therapy. If desired and/or clinically indicated, extended 75-minute sessions are $125 additional. All fees are payable at the time of service.

You are also entitled to request/receive a “Good Faith Estimate” of services and fees. This document provides additional information (including billing codes) and an estimate of fees for up to 12 months of services.