Frequently Asked Questions About Holistic Counseling

Frequently Asked Questions About Holistic Counseling in Floyd, Blacksburg, and Roanoke, VA

Counseling is a big decision. We want to make sure you find the right fit.

How long do counseling sessions typically last? 

Individual sessions are approximately 55 minutes in length. However, Bonny Method (GIM) sessions are often scheduled for up to 85 minutes.

How often will I need to come to counseling? 

Sessions are typically scheduled to occur once per week at the same time and day, if possible, for three weeks of each month. I typically spend one week per month out of the office for other work. The timing of sessions may vary depending on the nature and severity of your concerns. Your consistent attendance greatly contributes to a successful outcome.

How long will I need to come to counseling? 

The length of your treatment and the timing of the eventual ending of the therapeutic relationship depends on the specifics of your treatment plan and the progress you achieve. Typically, clients commit to counseling for 6 months and progress is measured monthly.

How much do sessions cost? 

Individual therapy is $150 per 55-minute session. Longer sessions are sometimes possible, with fee based on length of session.

Individual GIM sessions, which typically require additional processing time, are $195 per 85-minute session.

Are sessions covered by my insurance?

I am not in-network with any insurance company, though I can provide a superbill for you to file with your insurance company. I am currently searching for additional solutions to help decrease the cost of therapy and will update my website when I am able to provide other alternatives. I accept out-of-pocket payments through cash, check, credit card, PayPal, or Venmo, or you can pay for therapy with funds from an employer-provided health savings account (HSA), medical savings account (MSA), or flexible spending account (FSA).

Notice to clients and prospective clients:

Under the law, healthcare providers need to give clients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services.  You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services, which you can request before you schedule a service, or at any time during treatment. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.  For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, or how to dispute a bill, please see the Estimate provided to you, or visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.

Where do sessions take place? 

I offer both in-person and virtual sessions. My office is currently located on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Floyd County, surrounded by plenty of nature and opportunities for indoor or outdoor sessions. If this location is not convenient, I utilize a HIPAA-compliant, secure platform for online counseling for clients throughout Virginia.

Who do you work with? 

I work with adults who are struggling with anxiety or trauma that manifests as burnout, overachievement, perfectionism, challenging life transitions, and relationship stress. My practice is rather out-of-the-box and holistically focused and supports the exploration of many aspects of our well-being including mental, emotional, environmental, relational, physical, and spiritual health, which I believe to be all interconnected.

The holistic counseling journey often encompasses several or all of the following:

• Working with the nervous system through Polyvagal-Informed therapy protocols to increase psychological safety and relational health

• Examination of sustainable lifestyle practices that support improved mental and physical health through protocols from Functional Medicine Health Coaching

• Exploration of our relationship with nature and its impact on our nervous system and on our mental, physical, environmental, and spiritual health through Nature-Informed Therapy practices

• Depth work focused on our relationship with ourselves and our inner psyche utilizing The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery & Music (GIM) to support emotional and spiritual healing and increased congruence of our inner and outer realities

If you are not interested in exploring your mental health concerns from a holistic perspective, please let me know as this practice may not be the best fit for you, and I can provide referrals for therapy that is in better alignment with your needs.

What if counseling isn't working? 

If we do not see an improvement after a month of working together, we can change up our approach and make sure that we’re really targeting the things we need to target. And if we’re still not seeing an improvement, we may want to look at potentially referring you to another therapist or an outside resource. I will talk with you regularly about our plan and your progress. I use evidence-based measures to make sure therapy is as effective as possible.

I know it can feel like a big step to call a counselor, and I’m happy to answer any additional questions you have regarding my practice. Call me to schedule a 15-minute consultation and I’ll let you know how or if I can help. If I am not the right person, I’ll do my best to get you to the right person.

Contact me here to schedule your free 15-minute phone consultation for holistic counseling.