FAQ
Where is your office located?
Springfield, MO 65804
What can I expect at the beginning of therapy?
When we meet for couples counseling, I’ll do a thorough assessment of your relationship – which usually takes four sessions.
In the first session, I’ll meet with you and your partner together. We’ll discuss the history of your relationship and what prompted you to seek therapy.
I’ll ask both of you to complete an online questionnaire created by the Gottman Institute.
Then, I’ll conduct an individual session for each partner.
After that, the three of us will meet again for a feedback session where we’ll review your strengths and weaknesses. I’ll provide you with a solid treatment plan.
The assessment phase is essential to effective treatment. Without it, we wouldn’t know what direction to go in or what strengths reside in your relationship.
We’ll focus on what needs most improvement, so you get the most from your therapy!
What does the Gottman Analysis Cost?
Can I use my insurance?
More often than not, insurance companies refuse to reimburse for couples counseling.
Before most insurance companies help pay for therapy, they require that a professional diagnose you with a mental health disorder and prove that your day-to-day functioning is negatively impacted by your mental health diagnosis.
Basic life problems, such as relationship problems, don’t meet the full criteria for a mental health diagnosis and aren’t considered medically necessary. That’s why insurance companies exclude couples counseling from their policies.
However, if you choose to seek reimbursement from your insurance company on your own, I’m happy to provide a super bill with the necessary information.
What forms of payment do you accept?
What is your cancellation policy?
Your time is reserved exclusively for you.
In order to avoid being charged in full for your appointment, please cancel at least 48 hours in advance.
If you are having an emergency, call or text me ASAP.
When inclement weather occurs, you shouldn’t feel you have to risk life and limb to avoid a cancellation fee. Therefore…
If you don’t feel safe and prefer to stay home, PLEASE both text and call me to ensure contact ASAP so that we can adapt our schedules (e.g., stay home, come in later, leave early, eat lunch, offer the time to others, etc). If you do this, there will be NO cancellation fee. If you no show, without making contact, then I’ll ask you to pay for your session time as booked.
If I don’t feel I can drive safely, I’ll call, text you, and ask to reschedule. Please call or text me to double check if you haven’t heard from me and the weather is questionable.
What do all of those letters after your name mean?
So, these are my professional credentials:
MA – Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy (Pepperdine University)
LPC – Licensed Professional Counselor (Missouri 2001011927)
LMFT – Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (Missouri 2000169949)
CGT – Certified Gottman Therapist
Do you have specialized training in couples counseling?
Yes! I have specific training in couples counseling approaches and have completed the required three levels of Gottman Method Couples Therapy training; 2 1/2 years of Gottman certification track training; and one-on-one supervision from a Gottman Method Master Trainer. I’m a Certified Gottman Method Couples Therapist, which means I have an advanced clinical specialty in couples counseling. I’m a relationship expert!!
Not all therapists have such specific and extensive training. Furthermore, not all therapists who do get couples counseling training receive supervision from certified therapists of that method to ensure they are applying the techniques and interventions in ways that can lead to changes for the client’s relationship.
Is counseling really going to help?
Definitely! If you’re willing and eager to learn how to shift how you communicate and emotionally connect with your partner, then positive change can happen. I’m here to show you the way, and it will be up to you to implement the strategies I share with you.
I would encourage you to avoid dropping out of couples counseling early. Research shows that couples who stick with counseling show the most improvements long-term.
It’s possible that within the first few sessions, you may see significant improvements. However, experienced and effective couples counselors know that there is a difference between short-term improvements from addressing surface issues and the lasting improvements from addressing the root problems.
With this in mind, consider committing to eight to ten sessions before evaluating whether counseling is working. This way, we can ensure that you are addressing both the surface and the deeper issues.
Have you worked with the kinds of problems I’m having?
Over the years, I’ve worked successfully with a broad spectrum of clients with a wide variety of clinical concerns. If you present with issues that require more intensive care and are out of my scope of practice, then I’ll help connect you to a provider better suited to meet your needs.
Can I bring my drink (that I just bought at Starbucks!) in your office?
Of course! If you catch me drinking coffee from Starbucks or a Hint water, then you’re definitely welcome to sip on your favorite drink, too. Water is always available. And there’s a Starbucks close to the office!