Frequently Asked Questions
What does starting therapy look like with you?
Working together begins with a thoughtful, collaborative process designed to help you feel informed, supported, and confident in your care. 1. Free consultation: You can book directly, or email me to request, a free 20-minute consultation through my secure client portal. During this call, you can ask any questions about working together, and I’ll ask a few brief questions to ensure your concerns are within my scope of practice. 2. Intake preparation: If we decide to move forward, I’ll send you my practice paperwork and a few questionnaires to complete before our first session. This allows me to tailor our initial 90-minute visit to what matters most to you and helps us make the most of our time together. 3. Initial session (90 minutes): Our first session focuses on getting to know you and understanding your story in depth. I’ll ask a range of questions to gather background and context so I can form a clear picture of your needs. After this meeting, I take time to review all the information and create a summary of your main concerns and a roadmap for how I believe I can best support you. 4. Feedback and next steps: We’ll then meet for a feedback session, where I’ll share my impressions and recommendations. Together, we’ll decide which areas to focus on first and discuss what the ongoing work will look like, whether that’s weekly therapy, a focused short-term plan, or another tailored approach.
How often will we meet?
I tailor care to each client’s needs, goals, and capacity. For some, especially early in the process or during a period of stress or transition, it’s helpful to meet weekly or even twice a week to build momentum and consistency. Other clients find they only have the bandwidth to begin every other week, and later choose to move to weekly sessions once they feel more ready or want to deepen the work. As therapy progresses and you gain stability or clarity in the areas we’re focusing on, we may gradually step down to every other week or monthly maintenance sessions to help you stay grounded and supported. Our meeting frequency is always a collaborative and flexible process- we’ll regularly check in to find the rhythm that feels most supportive for where you are.
What is your approach to therapy?
My approach is integrative and personalized. I draw from evidence-based modalities- such as cognitive-behavioral, relational, mindfulness-based, and nervous-system-informed (polyvagal) approaches, to tailor care to what will be most effective for you. Rather than following a one-size-fits-all model, I take time to understand how your mind, body, and environment interact. Some sessions may focus on understanding patterns and emotions; others may center around practical tools, boundary-setting, or nervous system regulation. I like to think of therapy as a process that holds both the bigger picture and the present moment: We keep your long-term goals in view: how you want to feel, live, and relate. But in each session, we also meet you right where you are, responding to what’s most active or tender that day. Over time, therapy becomes a space where you can gain insight, practice new ways of being, and reconnect with a more aligned and grounded version of yourself.
How long do people usually stay in therapy?
There’s no set timeline for therapy- how long we work together depends on your goals, what’s happening in your life, and the kind of support you’re looking for. Some clients come in with a specific concern or transition and find that a few months of focused work helps them gain the clarity or tools they need. Others choose to continue for longer-term or ongoing therapy to deepen insight, strengthen relationships, or maintain emotional balance over time. We’ll revisit your goals regularly and check in about what’s feeling helpful, what might need to shift, and whether it feels like the right time to pause, wrap up, or step down to less frequent sessions. Therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all; it’s a flexible process designed to meet you where you are and evolve as your needs change.
Do you accept insurance?
Align & Empower Therapy, PLLC is a private pay practice, which means I do not bill insurance directly. However, many clients are able to receive partial reimbursement from their insurance provider by submitting a Superbill: an itemized receipt for services.
How much do sessions cost?
Sessions are $240 for a standard 50-minute session. Our initial visit is 90 minutes, billed at the same rate. I reserve this extra time so we can move at a comfortable pace, gather important background information, and begin identifying what will be most helpful for you moving forward. Many clients appreciate having this extended first session because it allows space to share your story, clarify goals, and leave with a sense of direction for our work together.
How can I submit my Superbill?
I partner with Reimbursify, a secure platform that helps clients easily file out-of-network claims. You can use this link to check your benefits and estimate your potential reimbursement. Once you’re a client, I’ll provide access to Reimbursify’s “File Fast” tool, which allows you to securely upload your Superbill and submit your claim in just a few minutes. Many clients find Reimbursify helpful because it eliminates confusing paperwork and makes the process simple and stress-free. (I pay a fee each month for this service to make reimbursement easier for my clients; I don't get any other benefit from you using this service, and you are welcome to resubmit Superbills without using it).
Do I have to submit Superbills?
No. Submitting Superbills is completely optional. Some clients choose to submit them for partial reimbursement, while others prefer to keep their care fully private and not share information with their insurance company. Both options are perfectly fine: you are always welcome to pay privately without involving insurance if that feels best for you.
How do I request a Superbill?
At the end of our first session, I’ll check in about your preference. If you’d like to pursue reimbursement, I’ll provide monthly Superbills that include all required information. If you’d rather keep your care private, I’ll note that so your documentation and billing process match your preferences.
Where do you see clients?
I offer telehealth sessions only, meeting with clients virtually through a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. As a PSYPACT-authorized psychologist, I’m licensed to provide telehealth services in more than 40 participating states. At this time, I primarily focus on working with clients located in: Arizona, Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., New Jersey, Rhode Island, Colorado, Illinois, and Florida. If you live in another PSYPACT-participating state and are interested in working together, please feel free to reach out. I’m always open to exploring whether we might be a good fit and expanding my focus as my practice grows. You can view a full, up-to-date list of PSYPACT states at psypact.org. Because I’m a private-pay telehealth practice, clients often choose to work with me for my specialized focus and integrative approach, regardless of where they live.
How do I know if an intensive, ongoing therapy, or an assessment is right for me?
It’s completely normal to feel unsure about where to start. Each offering: ongoing therapy, therapy intensives, and psychological assessment serves a different purpose, and the best fit depends on your goals, timeline, and what’s currently feeling most challenging. We can explore this together during a free 20-minute consultation. I’m happy to discuss the benefits of each approach and offer my professional thoughts on what might be most supportive for you right now. Whether you’re looking for deeper clarity through assessment, steady support through ongoing therapy, or focused progress through an intensive, we’ll talk through your needs and make sure your next step feels aligned and intentional.
