FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Where are you located?

I am located in the heart of downtown Bozeman, at 313 West Mendenhall, Suite 3. I am just upstairs! Unfortunately, I don’t have a waiting room; if my door is closed, I am in session – so please be patient. I work very hard to make sure that each appointment starts and ends on time.

How long are sessions?

The normal amount of any appointment is an hour, and you have my undivided attention for that hour, minus five minutes at the end to help transitions between clients. In some cases, I set up shorter sessions for individuals based on their needs, including half-hour and forty-five-minute sessions.

How long does it take for therapy to work?

It depends a lot on the people and their situation. Positive change can start happening in the first session. Therapy works faster if at least one person involved (parent or child) is highly motivated and willing to step out of their comfort zone. The average time to complete major positive change is about ten sessions, a little over two months.

Do you take insurance?

I do! I believe that high quality therapy services should be available to as many people as possible and take insurance to help make my services more affordable. I am in-network with the following insurance carriers: Montana Medicaid, BlueCross BlueShield, Allegiance, Cigna, PacificSource and Aetna. I handle all aspects of submitting any claims to your insurance to make the process easier on you.

How do I set up an appointment?

You can set up an appointment by calling me at (406) 548-5309. I offer a free initial phone consultation that can last up to about a half hour. If you decide to continue, we will set up a time to meet.

What is your cancellation policy?

I ask for 24 hours notice for any cancellation. If I receive less than 24-hours’ notice, I may charge you for my time. However, I am reasonable – if you had something important come up within less than 24 hours, call me and we can talk about it. If you miss an appointment due to a sudden emergency or illness, let me know that, too.

Who do you work with?

I specialize in teenagers and their families. If you don’t fit those areas but you think I might still be a good fit for you, give me a call – I have worked with a range of ages and issues with great success!

Who does therapy help?

Therapy can be helpful to almost anyone. Most people come in because they are seriously struggling handling difficult emotions or conflicts in a family relationship. However, since therapy goes beyond solving problems to personal growth, most people can benefit from it.

How do I know if you’re the right counselor for me?

You may know when we talk on the phone. If not, probably by the end of the first session. The important questions to ask are whether you feel a connection with me as a person and whether my thoughts and ideas are helpful as you apply them to your struggle and efforts to grow.

My teenager isn’t sure or is actively opposed to coming in. Should I bring them in anyway?

Absolutely, but you need to be prepared to stay for a few sessions. If your child is anxious, it will give me time to build trust while you are there for support. If your child is angry, it will let me engage you in their presence and look for ways to connect past the anger.

What is your approach to counseling?

I take a future-focused approach in counseling. That means we talk about and honor the past, but there is also a strong emphasis on changing how you respond in the present to bring about a better future.

Do you give assignments?

I often offer concrete suggestions that I think will help a person to grow, but they are always optional. You decide how much to put into them. However, I have found following through with these suggestions often causes positive change to happen faster.

My spiritual beliefs are important to me. Is it okay to bring them into session?

Some therapists shy away from spirituality. However, I believe it can be a powerful force for positive change in a person’s life. If you have a spiritual tradition that you hold close to your heart, I welcome you to share it with me, so we can engage it in counseling.

Do you prescribe medications?

No, I do not. Therapy is a different effort to resolve inner struggles. Psychiatrists are the best option for medication.

Do you offer psychological testing?

I can render a mental health diagnosis, but I do not offer in-depth psychological testing. Psychologists are a better option if you need testing or evaluations done.

Do you offer evaluations for court cases?

Working with teenagers, sometimes parents come in hoping I will provide support for a particular parenting plan or custody arrangement. However, this is outside of my area of specialty, and I do not offer it. I recommend anyone looking for help in this area to contact a mediation specialist.

So… Why teenagers?

Teenagers are a lot of fun – a lot of people don’t see it, but I do! Come work with me, and maybe you’ll start to see it, too!

Huh. So what do you do for fun?

Besides my job? I love games – card games, board games, and video games! I like studying new ways to look at the world from different philosophies and spiritual traditions, and practicing martial arts!