How Can I Invest in Therapy?

I currently accept a few insurance plans including United Health Care, Aetna, and Colorado Medicaid. However, for Colorado Medicaid, I only have a few openings at a time due strenuous requirements from the state of Colorado. For those that would like to invest via out-of-pocket reimbursements sessions are $120.

I want to invest in therapy, but the fee seems steep, why is this?

I recognize that the cost of therapy is a reality for many people and may seem prohibitive. I have tried to balance my fee, which is currently on the fairly economical end of what providers charge, with what most people would be able to afford. Therapists, including myself, are highly trained mental health care professionals. My fee reflects the years of education and training I have acquired, and will continue to pursue, to be able to help those in my community make life enhancing changes that will impact them for years to come-it is truly hard to put a price on this change.

How often do you see clients?

I ask most new clients to commit to weekly sessions for at least the first month, but to continue this if it is in their best interest (clinically speaking). This helps us set a solid foundation for the work and helps us consistently work towards change in a way that can be more difficult if I only see you twice a month. As challenges improve, clients often ask to reduce to bi-monthly sessions. This is something for us to discuss as a team. I do not currently see clients once a month as the research and clinical experience is clear, change does not occur at this frequency.

How long will therapy take?

As my hero, Gandalf the Grey, says, “not even the very wise can see all ends”. It takes as long as it takes. However, a couple factors can help the therapy process along. These factors include how often and consistent a person shows up to therapy. It is also a tested and true saying that “we get out what we put in”. Which is to say, if clients practice skills outside of session and work to make, often difficult, changes in their life, growth is more likely to come sooner rather than later.

What is your cancellation fee?

I require 24 hours notice for the cancellations of appointments. Cancellations received less than 24 hours notice are subject to a fee ranging from half, to all of my session fee ($60-$120). This is to honor my time, maintain a sustainable business model, and honor the time of others who could have used the session if more time had be given to reschedule. Moreover, I ask that those investing in therapy recognize that this is a commitment to healing and growth which requires consistency and communication to maintain a working relationship between me and you. Frequent cancellation of appointments or lack of communication around rescheduling of appointments may mean discontinuing the therapeutic relationship.

You seem to focus on grief and trauma, but do I need a trauma therapist?

While people often tell me their life has been “pretty good” and they are skeptical of the presence of trauma in their life. First, I love hearing this because it means that someone’s life probably has been good for the most part and that is something to be celebrated. However, I offer two points on this issue. First, is that the strength of a trauma focused approach is that it is viewing emotional and physical states in our body as a product of how the world around us has taught us to evaluate ourselves, others, and our environment rather than fixed conditions we are simply stuck with. If this is true, we are empowered to work with our body, mind, and environment to move towards wellness rather than staying stuck. Secondly, keep in mind is that trauma is both what has happened and what has not happened. The latter of these two make trauma hard to spot—especially if we grew up believing this was “just how life was”. I often encourage people to change the term ‘traumatic events’ to ‘painful’, ‘difficult’, hurtful’, or ‘wounding’ and see if that fits better. If you still have more questions, check out my blog or schedule a consult.

Does Thor the Dog join our sessions?

Yes, Thor is my trusty companion. He mostly sleeps or asks for tummy rubs during sessions, but when clients want, he joins them on the couch for some snuggles. If this is prohibitive for your journey, I would likely say we aren’t a good fit—which is totally okay! I ask all clients be respectful of Thor. While it has never happened, I let people know up front that threatening, harmful, or abusive behavior towards him is grounds for immediate termination of the therapeutic relationship.