Couple & Family Therapy

Certified Sex Therapist

What is the purpose of therapy, and who seeks therapy?

People seek therapy for many reasons, including needing a safe and neutral place to discuss their current experience of distress and their past experiences of hurt. Most people come to therapy with the aim to alleviate or reduce their distress and finds ways to cope more effectively with stressors, whether they be past, current or future. Anyone can seek therapy, no matter your gender, age, ethnicity, culture, sexuality, class, education, or occupation. Everyone experiences distress in their lives, and everyone can use a comforting and honest place to talk about and confront that distress.

How do I get started, and what can I expect to happen in therapy?

The first thing to do is to make the phone call or email to initiate the process. We will arrange a time to meet, discuss payment options, and you will be given information on how to access the forms to be completed prior to your first session. At the first appointment, I get to know you and what brought you to therapy, and develop goals for therapy at that time. In the following sessions, we work on those goals through a variety of means that are catered to you and your specific situation. We will evaluate progress on the initial goals periodically, to help inform when therapy should be ended.

How will I feel during and after therapy?

People experience a variety of emotions and reactions. Some days, therapy can feel very reassuring and comforting; other days, it can feel challenging and exhausting. This is normal, and is a sign that you are doing the work necessary to get better.

How long will I need to be in therapy, and how will I know I am finished?

The average amount of sessions clients attend is between 10-15 sessions. Some people stay in therapy for a brief time (a few sessions) and others for months or even years. As mentioned previously, we will develop specific goals for your treatment, and will evaluate those goals periodically. This helps determine when therapy should end. Generally, people know when they don’t need to continue therapy because of feeling better, and the issues they came in with no longer plague them as before.

How does confidentiality work in therapy?

Mental health practitioners must ethically protect their client’s confidentiality. I abide by the professional ethics code of AAMFT, HIPAA standards of client information protection, as well as the state of Iowa’s legal guidelines. You will sign an informed consent prior to therapy services outlining confidentiality, and we will discuss any specific circumstances you may be experiencing that may affect confidentiality. By law, I have to break confidentiality and call emergency or police if you plan to harm yourself or someone else, or file a report if there is child or elder abuse occurring.

What about court involvement or child custody situations?

I am not a child custody evaluator, and am not in a position to appear in court to testify on your behalf. If I am required to appear in court via supeona, I charge a substantial fee for my time that covers preparation, travel, and compensation for other appointments I may need to cancel. When a client has been ordered to therapy by the court or an employer, I am happy to write a summary letter of treatment attendance, participation, and progress with a release signed by my client.

How can I pay for therapy?

Therapy services can be paid through insurance* or private pay. I am a preferred provider with Blue Cross Blue Shield/Wellmark. Insurance coverage varies, so be sure to determine coverage benefits, and if a copay or deductible apply.

*Please be aware that some services are not covered by insurance, and will require private pay, which we will assess prior to your first session.