Frequently asked questions

If this is your first time in therapy ... congratulations! You have taken a big step toward getting to know and understand yourself better. At Time 2 Change Counseling, I specialize in helping men and women dealing with alcohol misuse or abuse and those dealing with trauma/PTSD, grief, depression, and anxiety. I see adult clients only, ages 18 and older.

Counseling is a privilege, and I consider it an honor that you are considering me to join you on your journey of self-discovery. Before scheduling your first appointment, I provide a free 15-minute introductory call so that we can get to know one another and see if we agree that we are a “good fit.”

To let you know a little about who I am, I’ll share with you some words my clients have used to describe me: down-to-earth, understanding, trustworthy, friendly, funny, insightful, open, non-judgmental, accepting, direct in a compassionate way, and book smart with common sense. My approach to counseling is collaborative. By that, I mean we work together through each session. However, as the client, you know yourself best and will “take the lead.” I ask thought-provoking questions, perhaps helping you to see things from a different perspective or allowing you to think of things you have not previously considered.

My educational training and experience, both personal and professional, have made me a skilled listener. In sessions, I actively listen to what you do and do not say. I mentally note key issues and piece them together like a jigsaw puzzle, summarizing factors I believe are underlying your struggles.

Together, we partner in creating a treatment plan that will guide you in processing and overcoming the thoughts, feelings and emotions that have kept you “stuck.” This “design for living” will be a plan with which you feel comfortable, confident and committed; if you don’t, we will change it. Flexibility is key. It will be a work in progress, evolving as you grow through therapy.

To schedule a free 15-minute introductory call, go here. I will receive an email expressing your interest in counseling. Please let me know the best way to reach you and when you are available to talk. I will call you at an agreed-upon time for your discovery call so we can get to know each other.

If you are interested in working with me, I will gather basic information including your name, date of birth, address, phone number, and email address. I will send to your email address my new client documents which can easily be completed online.

We will schedule your first appointment, which is 60 minutes, either online or in-person. Our initial meeting is an information gathering session. The purpose is for me to gather relevant information and learn more about what has brought you to counseling, so that we can begin formulating how we can best create positive change in your life. Follow-up appointments are 50 minutes. This is where we begin our work together.

Initial appointment, 60 minutes:         $150

Follow-up sessions, 50 minutes:        $125

The following insurances are accepted:

• Aetna 
• Oscar Health
• Oxford
• United Healthcare

If you are interested in using the above insurances, you will receive an email invitation from my biller, Headway, to obtain your insurance and payment information and to acknowledge two of their standard forms. Time 2 Change Counseling also accepts self-pay, Health Spending Accounts (HSAs), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), and credit cards including Visa, MasterCard and Discover.

The all-in-one telehealth platform I use for online therapy for clients in Ohio and Florida is Simple Practice because it exceeds the standards for HIPAA compliance. Telehealth allows you to get the confidential therapy you need whenever it’s most convenient for you.

I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, and Strengths-based therapy.

CBT therapy is an evidence-based and proven approach used to treat many mental health issues,  including depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, obsessive compulsive disorder, alcohol and drug issues, and bipolar disorders. CBT helps you to recognize distorted thought patterns and to cope with specific challenges. CBT is a structured therapy that works quickly and effectively.

EMDR therapy prepares clients to safely reprocess trauma through bi-lateral stimulation (for example, side-to-side eye movements) in a safe environment. EMDR therapy is focused on reprocessing and changing the way a traumatic memory is stored in the brain. The goal of EMDR therapy is to decrease the intensity of problematic symptoms and help you heal from distressing life experiences.

Motivational Interviewing is an evidence-based therapy approach that helps clients focus on finding motivation within themselves to make positive changes in their lives. This client-centered approach has proven highly effective in treating addiction.

Solution Focused Brief therapy is a strengths-based approach to therapy that focuses on present and future experiences rather than the past. The goal is to create and implement solutions rather than gain insight into issues and challenges and concerns. Therapy with this approach typically lasts 5-8 sessions.

Strengths-based therapy is focused on helping clients learn how to affect change within themselves. Time is spent identifying the client’s goals and assessing the clients’ strengths and resources to achieve those goals and overcome adversity. Special attention is given to exploring the client’s environment to determine resources that can help the client affect change.

Therapy is, without a doubt, an investment of time and money made by each client with the goal of finding solutions and resolving issues, improving daily functioning, and increasing overall happiness.

How long you remain in counseling often depends on the circumstances that bring you to therapy and the mental health issues with which you struggle. When you make a commitment to yourself to attend counseling regularly and participate to the best of your ability, noticeable changes can be seen as early as 4-6 weeks. I suggest counseling for a minimum of 8-12 weeks, but I honor each client’s needs and individual circumstances.
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I do not prescribe medication. Medication is not always necessary when a client is in therapy. But psychotropic medications can be helpful in decreasing problematic symptoms so that clients can gain more benefit from therapy.

If your symptoms are negatively impacting your ability to function daily, for example, lacking motivation to get out of bed in the morning or decreased self-care activities such as showering or brushing teeth, I will refer you to an appropriate medical professional (i.e., a psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, or primary care physician) for a medication evaluation. Ultimately, it is the client’s decision to take medication or not, and I respect the client’s decision.