Frequently asked questions

In our first meeting, whether in-person or virtual, we'll start by reviewing informed consent paperwork, which explains the terms of our work together, including confidentiality and other important details. I will also share crisis resources with you, just in case you need them in the future.

We'll then go over your intake paperwork.

This first session is all about building a foundation, getting to know each other, and clarifying what you hope to achieve in therapy.

For In-Person Sessions:

When you arrive for your first session at 204 E. Capitol Drive, you'll enter through the door marked "Wellness East." Once inside, head up the stairs, and either call or text me at 262-442-3872. I'll meet you at the top of the stairs and walk you to my office.

To help you feel comfortable, I’ll offer you a drink—coffee, tea, or seltzer—and allow you a few moments to get settled before we begin.

For Virtual Sessions:

For virtual sessions, you'll enter the Doxy.me waiting room at the scheduled time. You don't need to download anything—just click the link I send you, provide your first name, and you’ll be ready to go.

Please note that my office is up one flight of stairs. Alternate accessible meeting locations available upon request. For those who prefer virtual sessions, closed captioning is available. During in-person appointments, masks are optional, and I provide them if needed. I will gladly wear a mask when clients’ request and at my discretion. The air is filtered for your health, and we have a gender-neutral, single-stall restroom. If you have any other specific needs or questions, please reach out.

I don’t accept insurance because many insurance companies have policies that can be challenging for both clients and therapists. These companies often impose restrictions on the type, frequency, and duration of care, which can limit the quality of therapy you receive. Additionally, insurance reimbursements are typically low, which means therapists are paid significantly less for their work, making it difficult to sustain a practice while providing high-quality care.

By not working with insurance, I have the flexibility to offer personalized, client-centered treatment without the limitations insurance policies often impose. This also allows me to provide discounted and pay-what-you-can options, making therapy more accessible and affordable to those who need it. My goal is to ensure that cost doesn't stand in the way of your mental health and well-being.

The cost of therapy depends on the length of the session:

• 50-minute session: $165

• 80-minute session: $245

• 110-minute session: $320

I accept credit cards and HSA accounts for payment. Additionally, I offer pay-what-you-can options for those who need assistance with affordability. Please feel free to reach out if you'd like to discuss these options further.

Yes, I offer a Pay What You Can option. Below is some helpful information to guide you in choosing an amount that fits your current financial situation.

Pay What You Can for 50-Minute Session:

The full price for a 50-minute session is $165, but I offer a Pay What You Can option to make therapy more accessible. These are suggested amounts based on different financial situations, but I trust you to choose what you can truly afford. If you're unsure, we can talk more about your options.

• Pay What You Can - Full: $165

  • This option is for people who are comfortably able to meet all of their basic needs (food, housing, health care, transportation) and have expendable income for things like new clothes, entertainment, or travel.

  • You may have some debt, but it doesn’t prevent you from comfortably managing your day-to-day expenses.

  • Examples: You can afford to buy new items regularly, take annual vacations, or go out to dinner or the movies without financial stress.

• Pay What You Can - Middle: $120 - $165

  • This range is for people who may feel some stress about meeting basic needs but still manage to cover them.

  • You may have some debt, but it doesn’t interfere with your ability to pay for essentials.

  • You can buy some new things and may occasionally take time off or go on a vacation.

  • Examples: You might have a steady job, but you still budget carefully each month; you buy some new clothes, but you also shop secondhand; you occasionally go out for coffee or to the movies, but you also watch your spending.

• Pay What You Can - Light: $ 100-$120

  • This range is for people who may have difficulty meeting basic needs or are experiencing significant financial hardship.

  • You may be in debt, have unstable housing, or lack reliable access to transportation.

  • If you're unemployed or underemployed

  • Examples: You might only be able to buy new items on sale or when absolutely necessary; you rarely go out for entertainment and focus mainly on essential purchases like food and housing; you may not be able to take a vacation or take time off without significant financial strain.

Ultimately, choose a price you know you can afford without putting yourself in financial strain. The goal is for therapy to be accessible without adding stress. You can always revisit this price in future sessions as your financial situation changes.

If the $100 fee is currently beyond your budget, please consider the following options for more affordable therapy services in the Milwaukee area. Additionally, feel free to reach out to me directly to inquire about the availability of one of my two pro-bono slots. I want to help you get the support you need and will do my best to accommodate.

Payment Methods:

I accept credit cards and HSA accounts. If you have any questions or need help selecting the right price, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here to support you in any way I can.

Please email me if you’d like to create a pay what you can agreement.

Yes! Many people recover from experiences commonly labeled as psychosis. Healing can happen in various ways, with or without medication, therapy, or support groups like the Hearing Voices Network. The resources you choose to use are entirely up to you, and I am here to support you and offer suggestions that you may not have considered.

I have experience working with individuals who identify as having schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, though I prefer to use less stigmatizing language. I only use these terms if they are self-applied. My approach to therapy is the same, whether or not you identify with those labels—we’ll focus on understanding and addressing your specific distressing experiences and work together to find relief.

Based on both current research and my direct experience, people tend to do best when their unique concerns are addressed, rather than relying solely on a diagnostic label. Diagnoses like schizophrenia group a wide range of experiences together, which may not fully capture what you’re going through.

The duration of therapy depends on how long you find it helpful. Surprisingly, research shows that many people achieve their goals after just one session. For more complex issues, it may take months or even years to reach your goals.

You'll typically know you're ready to stop therapy when you don't have much to discuss anymore and feel generally able to handle set backs and challenges. Many people find it beneficial to pause therapy after reaching a plateau and then return occasionally if setbacks or new challenges arise.

We’ll use simple 60-second surveys each week to track how you’re doing and how well I’m supporting you. These quick surveys help us identify if therapy is working or if adjustments are needed. This feedback allows us to make changes to the therapy so you can achieve the results you're looking for.

I aim to foster a feedback-driven approach, where you can trust that I won’t be hurt or offended by your input. Instead, I’ll actively work to implement your suggestions. Research shows that this type of outcome-informed therapy is more than twice as effective as other methods.

Our progress tracking also helps us decide if you might benefit from a change in approach—whether that means adjusting my methods or, on occasion, working with a different counselor. Finding the right approach and the right person to help with your personal issues can be challenging. If I'm not the right fit for you, I’ll help you find someone who can better meet your needs!