What to Expect

 

It can be a challenge to take the first step to get help and even more difficult to choose who to work with, so I’d like to let you know what you can expect and give you some information about myself. Our first session together will be an opportunity to get to know one another and devise a plan for counseling. We’ll discuss your strengths and goals. Before our first session, I offer free phone consultation for us to talk about what brings you to counseling. I offer in-person sessions a few days a week and telehealth for those who feel more comfortable meeting online or are not in the Portland area. Payment is due the day of our session.

I am a humanistic counselor and work using emotion-focused, Gottman and gestalt therapies.

Education and Experience

 

I received my master’s in Counseling Education with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health from the University of Southern Maine. My bachelor’s degree is from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I attended Mount Holyoke College before I transferred to UNC-Chapel Hill.

I have always enjoyed working with the public and believe that my previous careers have provided me with the tools I needed to become a counselor. My work in the food service industry taught me how to manage my time and work under pressure. My work as a reporter and magazine food editor taught me how to listen and retell a story accurately. My work as a certified nursing assistant showed me how to respectfully and compassionately care for people. All of these experiences helped me to cultivate the skills necessary to help my clients by giving them the space to share their experiences while receiving unconditional compassion and acceptance.

Additional Information

 

Fees and Cancellation Policy

Individual session: $125 for 60 minutes

Couples session: $200 for 75 minutes

Please understand that when you make an appointment, I am reserving that time for you. If you miss an appointment, that is time that could be spent with another client therefore it is necessary for me to charge for missed appointments. There will be no charge if you cancel or reschedule 24-hours before the session, however if you cancel within a 24-hour window, I will not be able to fill the appointment time, and you will be billed the full fee of $125 for individuals and $200 for couples.

I understand that life can be unpredictable and issues with family, work, or health can alter your schedule. When this happens, let me know and we can reschedule. If you do not show up for an appointment and do not reach out to reschedule, I’ll assume you are no longer interested in counseling and will open your spot for another client. You are free to stop our sessions whenever you’d like.

Additional Pricing Policies

As a rule, AKA Counseling does not take on new clients who are seeking documentation for the following situations:

  • Court cases of any kind (e.g., an open court case, probation, lawsuits, etc.)

  • Assessment (e.g., fitness for service, employment, medical procedures, study abroad, comfort or therapy pet, etc.)

  • Academic reasons (e.g., seeking an Incomplete in a course, fitness to return to school or work, completing therapy as a course requirement)

  • A new or pending short/long-term disability claim

  • Emotional support, comfort, or therapy animals

  • Any other situation in which a third party needs documentation from a therapist on behalf of a client.

It is understood, however, that these situations may arise during the period in which a current client is seeking treatment or after treatment has been terminated. In such cases the proper release need to be signed then following fees will apply:

  • Preparing letters for you or third parties (includes case review, consultation, printing/mailing): $250/hr

  • Completing forms for you or third parties (includes case review, consultation, printing/mailing): $250/hr

Schedule

Monday: 9:30 am - 5 pm

Tuesday: 9:30 am - 5 pm

Wednesday: 9:30 am - 5 pm

Thursday: 9:30 am - 5 pm

Friday: 9:30 am - 1 pm

Good Faith Estimate

As of January 1, 2022, Health Care Providers are required to provide a “Good Faith Estimate” of expected charges for counseling services so there are no surprises. To prepare yourself for the maximum out-of-pocket cost, once-weekly appointments over the course of an entire year would be $10,000 for couples ($200/session x 50 weeks) and $6,250 for individuals ($125/session x 50 weeks). We will discuss the frequency of your sessions in your assessment process and know that this can change over the course of treatment to every other week or monthly sessions as you reach your goals in therapy.

 

Professional Affiliations

I believe that as a clinician in private practice it is my responsibility to make connections with other counselors, organizations, and educators in this field. I receive individual supervision and attend group supervision of peers in the field. I am currently in Gestalt Training and a couple’s therapy training. My education and interest in training will never stop as there is always more to learn about mental health and wellness.

Currently, I am affiliated with the following organizations:

  • National Board for Certified Counselors

  • American Counseling Association

  • American Mental Health Counselor’s Association

  • Maine Counseling Association

  • International Society for Emotion-Focused Therapy