Frequently Asked Questions
What will the first session be like?
During our first session we will complete the necessary paperwork before completing an “intake”. The intake will allow me to get to know you, your goals, and your reason for coming to counseling.
What do I do when I arrive at the building for the first time?
We are located at 311 22nd Ave N, Nashville, TN, 37203 on the 2nd floor. If you have any difficulty locating the building please visit the “Contact” page on this website and scroll down to “Visit Us” to view a picture of the building, or give me a call (if I’m not providing services to another client I will answer). Parking spots are available on the right hand side of the parking lot located at the back of the building, directly behind the house. Please only park on the right side, as the spots on the left are for the first-floor tenets and their clients. There is additional street parking available on both 22nd Avenue and Patterson Street. In the event that our parking lot is full and street parking is not available, overflow parking is also available in the hospital parking lot just behind our building (Lot E); this lot is accessible from Patterson Street. Once you have parked please enter through the front door of the building facing 22nd Ave N. The front door will be unlocked during business hours. Please feel free to make yourself comfortable and help yourself to a beverage in our waiting area immediately to your left when you enter the building. Please note the lobby and front porch are the only first-floor space to be utilized by our clients. Please refrain from entering the conference room and going beyond the double doors to the left of the conference room. I will come downstairs to the waiting room for us to begin our session at our appointment start time and I will show you to the office!
Why do people come to counseling/therapy?
People come to counseling for a wide variety of reasons. Some people begin therapy to address major life changes such as, marriage, career change, grief, graduation, or divorce. Others seek counseling to manage mental health symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health conditions. Others people want to strengthen their relationships with others. Whatever your reasoning for seeking help it takes courage to reach out and begin working on your individual goals.
What is the cost of a session? Why don’t you take insurance?
The standard rate for a 50 minute session is $145. Please do not let financial hardship prevent you from reaching out, as I do offer a limited number of reduced rate sessions. Please contact me to inquire about eligibility and current availability for these sessions. At this point in time, I do not accept insurance in order to provide the highest level of confidentiality to my clients with regard to their mental health record. Insurance also requires a mental health diagnosis to be made to meet the "medical necessity criteria” and to receive insurance benefits. Having a mental health diagnosis can have unexpected consequences such as being denied employment from certain job types. However, I am happy to provide a superbill to you upon request that you can submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement. Please note I can not guarantee reimbursement, and I encourage you to contact your insurance provider regarding potential reimbursement for counseling services.
How long and how often are sessions?
Regularly scheduled sessions typically last 50 minutes, although extended sessions are available based on clinical need and scheduling availability. After our initial session we will decide upon the frequency of sessions. Weekly sessions are the most common recommendation.
Do you offer telehealth services?
I provide HIPAA compliant online counseling upon request to clients in Tennessee. Although in-person counseling is often preferred, telehealth is a valuable alternative to traditional therapy and can increase access to counseling services. I am happy to accommodate for TN residents who prefer telehealth.
What is your cancellation policy?
If you will not be able to keep an appointment, please notify me at least 48 hours in advance; failure to do so will result in you being charged the cost of your scheduled appointment (except in the event of emergencies or exceptional circumstances).
What if we are not a good fit?
I offer a free no-commitment phone consultation prior to a first counseling session in order to help you determine if you think we are a good fit. However, I understand from personal experience, not every therapist will be right for you. I am here to support you, so if you feel we are not a good fit, please let me know and I will provide you with referrals.
What is the No Surprises Act and what is a “Good Faith Estimate”?
The No Surprises Act (Section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act) is a federal law which gives you the right to receive a "Good Faith Estimate" explaining how much your health care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients 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 request a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items of services at any time. You can ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service.
Why are you called “Sequoia Counseling”?
There are two reasons. Firstly, I love being in nature and I believe nature has its own therapeutic power. Second, one of the things I have learned through my clients is how remarkably resilient humans are. The Sequoia tree is one of the most resilient types of trees, with fire resilient properties, and some trees living thousands of years. Sequoias are also known to survive by having widespread roots that intertwine with other trees around them providing stability and nourishment. Similarly, the healthy support systems we have as humans have the potential to provide stability, nourishment, and enhance our innate resiliency. I hope that through our work together you realize your inner strengths, and learn to utilize different resources (individually and within your system) to thrive.