How can I be sure you are the right counselor for me and my situation?
Taking the step of talking with a counselor can be a tough decision. I am happy to answer any questions you have before scheduling an appointment to start counseling. I can be reached by phone, text message, or email. I specialize in helping couples, individuals, and teens/young adults. To see what people I have worked with in the past think please consider reading my reviews on Google.
What if I need counseling for my child?
As much as I would love to help, I do not have the skill or expertise to work with young children. This is a highly specialized service, and your child would be better served by a counselor who works exclusively with children. For Middle School aged and younger children I highly recommend Julie Taylor at Winter Garden Kids. You may also sign up for your child to start counseling with Julie through the client portal.
Where is the office?
The office is located in downtown Winter Garden, one block from the fountain on Plant Street. It is directly across from the parking garage. The office was built in 2018, and is ADA compliant. The address is 161 South Boyd Street, Suite 120 Winter Garden, Florida 34787.
What appointment times are available?
The following are the earliest and latest appointment start times for each day of the week:
Tuesday, 11am through 6pm
Wednesday 9am through 6pm
Thursday 9am through 6pm
Friday 9am through 6pm
How long is an appointment, and how long will this take?
Each appointment is 45 minutes. I make it a point to be respectful of your time. If your scheduled appointment time is 10am, then plan to be greeted promptly at 10am so we can begin on time. As for the overall length of the counseling process, it is impossible to estimate without knowing the depth of the situation. Some people just need a few meetings to talk through things, while others prefer a consistent long term relationship that provides a safe space to talk, vent, and just be heard. Generally speaking the average length is ten to fifteen sessions. Most people begin by meeting once per week with a goal of reducing frequency over time until dropping down to monthly or quarterly check ins.
Do you take my insurance?
No. I do not work for/with any insurance companies. There are many reasons for this, but to keep it brief here are the two most important.
Privacy: insurance companies have access to session notes and require a patient be labeled with a diagnosis. Because I don’t report to insurance companies all of your information is completely private. if we discuss a possible diagnosis it stays between us unless you specifically ask for it in writing.
Control: Insurance companies control the counseling process. They decide what you can seek counseling for, how many sessions you are allowed to have, and what type of treatment you are allowed to receive. i believe that as the consumer it should be your right to make all of these decisions for yourself.
That being said, I do have several patients who choose to use their “Out of Network Provider coverage”. They receive a full or partial reimbursement from their insurance company by submitting invoices. Even if they don’t get reimbursed, it could count towards their out of pocket deductibles. If you would like to submit invoices they are available for you to view and print from the Client Portal.
What is the cost, and what payment methods do you accept?
The session rate is $150. This is the same for individuals or couples. If you have a Health Savings Account (HSA) through your employer it does cover counseling. It is usually tied to a MasterCard and works like any other credit card. In addition to HSA you may also use any major credit or debit card, cash, or check.
How do I schedule an appointment?
To start counseling simply register as a new client in the client portal, and then select your preferred appointment time. Once the appointment is confirmed you will be able to complete the forms online, and we are all set. Please contact me with any questions. I look forward to hearing from you.
COVID-19 – What are we doing to protect our clients?
We are taking precautions for the health and safety of clients and employees in accordance with local, State, and Federal guidelines. These include requiring everyone wearing face masks while in the office during sessions. We are also disinfecting between each client, and providing hand sanitizer in the lobby, and the counseling rooms.
