Frequently asked questions

I work with anxiety, stress, trauma, getting started, getting organized, keeping track and following through, navigating social situations, and finding the accommodations you need. I’ve also helped people with challenges around mood and emotional regulation, and with unusual or extreme states, like hearing voices or holding beliefs others don’t share. No diagnosis rules you out.

You can start with a free consultation, or skip it and book directly with the Request a first appointment link. Either way, it starts with a short request form, and I’ll email you back with a few times. The form also asks if you’d like to meet in person at Wellspace MKE or online. I can usually get you in within two weeks. When my caseload is full, it may take longer, and I’ll let you know where things stand and what your options are. I see people Monday through Friday, between 9 and 4, and my last appointment starts at 3. Sessions are usually an hour, and longer sessions can be arranged if you need them.

Both. I meet in person at Wellspace MKE, a therapy cooperative in Milwaukee, and online anywhere in Wisconsin and Missouri. You can switch between them from week to week. Online can be more convenient and less stressful, and you get to set up your own space. In person, many people feel more connected, and it can help to step out of your usual surroundings into a space set aside for this work. Let me know which you prefer when you reach out.

There are a few ways. Self-pay is $165 a session, and HSA and FSA cards work. I also take insurance, and you can get an instant estimate through Headway. If I’m out of network for you, Thrizer can handle the billing, and you can check your cost on their site. Sliding-scale spots open up sometimes, depending on availability. In Missouri, insurance can be trickier, so we work that out case by case.

Yes, just ask. We can change the space, like the lighting, or meet outside or walk. We can change the pace, with breaks, a slower conversation, or less eye contact. If talking feels like a lot, I can share more, or we can explore approaches that need fewer words. You’re welcome to bring someone with you. Feel free to bring a drink, or ask if you’d like to grab a coffee at the clinic before we start. I sometimes forget to offer.

Yes, you’re welcome to email me with questions about logistics or how I work. For the consultation itself, it’s best if the person who’d be coming to therapy is there. It matters that therapy is their choice.

No. Not everyone wants, needs, or even believes in mental health diagnoses, and I don’t see one as an important part of therapy unless it’s helpful to you. You don’t need ADHD or autism traits either. I work best with people who experience the world differently from the mainstream and its social scripts.

For ADHD, yes, if you want that. I offer a psychosocial assessment based on the DSM and the best current tools. If a diagnosis matters to you, it can end in a formal ADHD diagnosis from me. Plenty of people don’t want one, and you don’t need one to work with me. I don’t do psychological testing, which psychologists do. My diagnosis likely won’t qualify you for medication, though that depends on the prescriber.

For autism, I don’t give formal diagnoses. We can still go through the assessment together and explore where you land.

No. Diversity in brain type is not a problem to be fixed. The goal in therapy isn’t to make people “normal.” Therapy is about support, healing, connection and recovery.

Yes. I’m a certified Brainspotting therapist, and Brainspotting can be part of your sessions if you’re interested. To learn more, visit my Brainspotting website, Brainspotting Online.

The free 15-minute consultation is a no-pressure meeting to talk over your goals and needs. We’ll talk about what you’re looking for and discuss options. If you decide to move forward, we can schedule a first appointment. If therapy with me isn’t the best fit, I’ll share referrals and next steps to help you find services that fit your needs.

It’s casual and conversational, and it goes at your pace. I can take the lead and guide us through getting to know each other, or you can lead with your questions and concerns. We can even use the whole session for your questions before you decide to keep going. You can bring someone with you, or ask for changes like different lighting, meeting outside, or walking.

Everyone has different needs and preferences. It’s usually best to meet weekly or every other week at the beginning of therapy. Ultimately the frequency of sessions is your choice; we’ll work together to figure out what works best for you.

I don’t usually give homework, but if you want some, we come up with it together. I usually end a session with something tangible you can try during the week, without any demands.