FAQs

The topics processed in general therapy and sex therapy frequently overlap. Sex therapy is an open, non-pathologizing space to explore sexuality, relationships, gender, kinks, traumas, and more without judgment.

Sex therapy is not a binding contract to exclusively process sex, as this often requires exploring more general themes such as embodiment, conflict, joy, connection, and themes that clients may feel expand far beyond the bedroom. Some folks seek out sex therapy with the full intention of talking about sex every session, while other folks may talk about sex in some sessions, but not others.

My specialized education and continued training in sex therapy allow me to hold the door open for clients to walk through at any level of readiness.

Below is a list of common concerns that folks may seek out sex therapy for:

• concerns about sexual desire

• desire discrepancies

• sexual pain

• arousal difficulties

• orgasm difficulties

• sexual shame

• kink exploration

• sexual orientation exploration

• intimacy enhancement

• overcoming purity culture

• compulsive or out-of-control sexual behavior

• sexual changes with aging

• sexual changes after having children

• sexual changes after illness or medical trauma

First, we’ll schedule a free initial 15-minute consultation, during which you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, get a better feel for my approach to the therapeutic process, and decide if I seem like the right therapist to help you achieve your goals. I’ll also learn a bit more about you, your needs, and your goals for therapy, and whether I am equipped to provide the care you need. If we collaboratively determine we’d like to move forward in working together, we’ll schedule a first session!

• $180 per 50-minute individual session

• $225 per 50-minute relationship session

I am also able to provide a Superbill if your insurance provider reimburses for out-of-network services. However, this does require a diagnosis to go on your mental health record. We can discuss pros and cons of having such a diagnosis on file. Please note, I cannot guarantee your insurance will provide any reimbursement, and payment will be due at the time of service. 

For folks who are unable to afford my full fee due to factors such as low-paying jobs, not being able to utilize insurance benefits, or not benefitting from generational wealth, I hold a number of spots at reduced rates based on gross household income. These rates range from $100-$180 for individuals and $125-$225 for couples/relationships. In this equity-focused fee structure, individuals who pay a higher fee help provide access for those who need financial assistance. Please reach out if you would like to discuss this more.

Buckle up y’all, cause this is a long one.

TL;DR: I do not accept insurance at this time.

While the intention of accepting insurance is to increase accessibility, there are several factors to consider. First, insurance companies require a diagnosis to utilize insurance benefits. This diagnosis becomes part of a client’s permanent medical record. We live in a moment in time in which many diagnoses are particularly pathologized in a way that may be harmful to receiving future care or benefits down the road. Having a mental health diagnosis on your record can also impact life insurance policy determinations. With the uncertainty of where politics concerning healthcare are headed in the next few years, I want clients to be informed with these considerations and have full authority over who has access to their mental health records.

Second, insurance companies tend to value brief treatment and behavioral modalities. This is not my approach to sex therapy and mental wellness. Psychotherapy is not a short-term crisis intervention; it’s a commitment to deepening understanding of oneself and one’s partner(s) and creation of meaningful and lasting change. Insurance companies hold the power to deny coverage at any point, resulting in unexpected bills, and potentially forcing clients to suddenly end treatment at the worst times. I strive for our work together to be collaboratively determined by you and me, not a random stranger sitting at a desk who knows little to nothing about you, your life circumstances, and our work together.

There are many factors that go into determining if insurance companies will cover any costs of out-of-network services. To help approach interest in submitting superbills for out-of-network insurance reimbursement with more empowerment, I recommend calling the member services phone number on the back of your insurance card and asking the following questions: 

1. Does your insurance cover out-of-network outpatient behavioral health services?

2.  What is your deductible when you see an out-of-network outpatient behavioral health provider?

3. Once that deductible is met, what percentage does your insurance reimburse?

4. How many visits are you allowed per calendar year?

5. Do your benefits differ if you are seeking individual therapy, couples therapy, or group therapy?

6.  Does your insurance require that you have preauthorization prior to sessions with a therapist?

Under the No Surprises Act, which went into effect in January 2022, healthcare providers need to give clients who do not have insurance, or who are not using their insurance, an estimate of the bill for medical items and services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency services. This includes costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.

I like to think of therapy as processing the past’s impact on the present, while coaching focuses on the present’s impact on the future. Therapy falls under the mental health professional’s licensure and jurisdiction, while coaches are not required to hold any license or certification. This is why coaching services can be provided worldwide, while psychotherapy services can only be rendered in the states in which the therapist is licensed. Therapy helps identify deeply ingrained thought patterns, work through trauma and past experiences, and move through long-standing relational gridlocks, while coaching focuses on changing current behaviors to work towards specific life goals. Coaching services cannot provide diagnoses, Superbills, and are not covered under insurance reimbursement. If you’re unsure if therapy or coaching is the right fit for you, please reach out to schedule a consultation.

You can learn more about all of the services I offer here.

Finding a therapist that feels like the right fit requires intentionality and openness. Research consistently shows that whether you like, trust, feel seen, and validated by, and overall vibe with your therapist is so much more important than the actual approach and modality of therapy offered. Choose a therapist who you feel comfortable being honest with, as your openness and commitment to the process is one the biggest factors influencing efficacy and progress. My ultimate goal is that everyone lands with a therapist they actually want to meet with on a regular basis, and if that’s not me, no hard feelings! I am sincerely invested in helping you find the right fit for you. If one or both of us collaboratively determine we are not the right fit for one another I will provide referral suggestions to the best of my ability.