Frequently Asked Questions

What happens in therapy?

Starting therapy can be a terrifying experience, especially if you don’t know what to expect. So hopefully I can help reduce some of that fear by explaining what therapy with me will look like.

Our initial session will involve us delving into what is bringing you into therapy, so I will be asking you questions to gain a better understanding of what the problem is, how long this has been happening, how that affects your life, and what you’ve been doing to manage it.

I typically try to end each session, if applicable, with a concrete step you can take to make a meaningful change in your life. This step will be directly related to what we’ve been exploring together that day and we will work together to come up with something that is realistic for you to attempt.

Therapy will be a collaborative process between the two of us. I will be there to help you achieve your goals with my knowledge and experience, but you are the expert on yourself. I may give a suggestion or a different point of view, but I will never force you to see or do things my way.

How long do I need to be in therapy?

Every client has different clinical needs and goals that they are trying to accomplish, so I can’t give a specific answer, but the frequency of sessions will lessen over time as we both agree that you no longer need to meet with me as often.

This will be a continual conversation we will have throughout the course of therapy, but at the end of the day, you as the client always have the right to terminate therapy as you see fit for any reason.

How frequently will we meet?

Typically, we will start therapy by meeting either weekly or biweekly. This will be determined together based on clinical need, personal preference, and availability.

As therapy progresses, we will continue to monitor if the frequency of our sessions together is meeting your needs as the client or if we need to meet more or less often.

Do you take insurance?

I do not participate as an in-network provider for any insurance plans.

This decision is not one I made lightly and is motivated by my desire to protect your confidentiality and my ability to do what is best for you clinically.

Insurance companies require me to assign you a diagnosis beginning at our first session, which restricts who I’m able to work with.

Additionally, insurance companies can request records reviews and obtain access to my private session notes. Given the sensitive nature of what we discuss in sessions, this is not something I am willing to do.

In addition to confidentiality concerns, insurance companies dictate the length and frequency of our sessions. This often hinders your recovery and can place unneeded pressures and constraints on our work together.

That all being said, I am happy to provide you with the needed documentation, called a Superbill, to seek reimbursement from your insurance company if you have out-of-network benefits.

You are also welcome to use your HSA/FSA account to cover the costs of our sessions.

How much will therapy cost?

My standard rate is $150 for a 60-minute session. I recognize that not everyone will be able to afford my rate, which is why I offer a sliding scale.

How does your sliding scale work?

In order to accommodate a variety of budgets, I offer a pay-what-you-can type of sliding scale. This allows me to customize my rate for those who need financial assistance, so therapy is available for everyone regardless of their financial situation.

So how it works is very simple. After determining how often we plan to meet for therapy, I will ask if you can afford my standard rate of $150.

If this is not in your budget, then I will ask you how much you would be able to afford if we meet every week (or however often we’ve already determined).

However much you can afford will be your rate. It’s as simple as that. No hoops to jump through or proof you need to give me. Starting therapy is difficult enough, so the last thing I want to do is add to your stress.

How do I pay for therapy?

A card will be required to have on file, but you don’t have to pay for therapy that way. I do all my billing myself, so I will work with you if you need to switch payment methods, pay using multiple methods, move the date of payment, etc.

I accept credit cards, debit cards, HSA/FSA cards, cash, or checks made out to Compassionate Heart Therapy.

If you are using a card, I will charge it immediately after our session, unless you ask me to wait. Otherwise, if you pay with cash or a check, it will need to be provided by the end of our session.

Where is your office located?

If you would like to meet with me in person my office is located in Elm Grove, Wisconsin. Elm Grove is east of Brookfield, north of New Berlin, west of Wauwatosa, and south of Butler.

My office is located in a building that looks like a residential home before it was turned into professional offices. There is a mailbox and a sign on the front lawn to help you locate it and there is a small parking lot you can park in.

Once you enter the building you will see a staircase on your right and my office is on the top floor. Once you are at the top of the stairs my office will be straight ahead.

If my door is open, feel free to come right in but if for some reason the door is closed that will indicate that I am either in session with someone or not currently in the office. If the door is closed, please go down to the waiting area and message me.

Do you offer virtual sessions?

Yes, I do. My electronic health record (EHR) system offers a secure, HIPPA-compliant video platform that we can conduct therapy through. All it requires is a stable internet connection and either a computer with a webcam or a phone with a front-facing camera.

If you choose to meet this way, you will receive an email with a link to the virtual session from Simple Practice (my EHR). It will prompt you to download the app the first time you use it but after that, all you will have to do is click the link.