General Therapy FAQs

Do you offer in-person or virtural therapy?

I've never been in therapy before.
What should I expect?

How many sessions will I need?

At this time, I mostly offer virtual sessions. I hold a small amount of in-person sessions per week for clients local to St. Louis, and potential client prefernces can be discussed during the therapy inquiry process.

It really depends! Some people find a few sessions helpful for a specific issue, while others benefit from longer-term support. I check in regularly with clients regarding frequency of sessions to ensure that we are on the right path.

It is completely understandable and common to be uneasy about the first session and starting therapy! I like to keep our initial session laid back and low pressure, allowing time for us to get to know one another and for you to see if I will be a good fit for your preferences and needs. We will talk about what’s been going on for you, what you'd like help with, and what therapy might look like. You’re in control of what you choose to share.
We will spend plenty of time getting into the heaviness of what brings you here, but I don't shy away from bringing humor and lightness into sessions as well.  

Frequently Asked
Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

EMDR FAQS

EMDR differs from traditional talk therapy in that it uses bilateral stimulation (like guided eye movements or tapping) to help the brain process and reframe painful memories. Think of it like helping your brain finish what it didn’t get to complete at the time of the event.

EMDR can be used with many issues that individuals seek therapy for such as anxiety and panic, grief and loss, self-esteem issues, phobias, single incident trauma, and complex trauma. We can explore together if EMDR is the right fit for your concerns!

Yes! EMDR is safe, especially when time is taken prior to re-processing an event to make sure you feel safe with me and with therapy in general. The goal of EMDR is to keep clients in their "window of tolerance," which keeps emotions and sensations from becoming too overwhelming. 
My virtual EMDR sessions are very similar to in-person EMDR sessions. The  main modification required for EMDR in a virtual setting relates to the bilateral stimulation, which is a key part of EMDR. I offer several options depending on what works best for you. These can include visual cues on the screen, audio tones through headphones, or tapping techniques you do yourself with my guidance.

How is EMDR different from talk therapy?

Is EMDR safe and how do you  conduct it virtuallY?

What can EMDR help with?

Can EMDR be combined with other therapies?

Absolutely! I often combine EMDR with other approaches, depending on what feels most supportive for you. Therapy is never one-size-fits-all, and I may also pay attention to the different parts of you that show up during sessions. This helps us understand how you respond to memories, emotions, or challenges, and sets the stage for EMDR to be even more effective.

Frequently Asked
Questions

What does "parts" mean in therapy?

In therapy, “parts” refers to the different sides of us that can show up in response to stress, relationships, or past experiences. For example, one part of you might want change, while another feels protective or hesitant. When using EMDR, we don’t try to push past these parts or get rid of them. Instead, we work to understand and respect them, helping them feel safer so the process can move forward at a pace that feels manageable.

Religious/Spiritual Trauma FAQS

What is religious trauma?

How do I know if I've experienced religious trauma? And is it really trauma?

What does working with religious trauma look like in therapy?

Religious trauma refers to the lasting emotional and psychological impact that can result from experiences within a religious system or community, especially when they occurred early in life and/or over long periods of time.




Often, people wonder if their experiences "count." Religious trauma can and does count as trauma! Those who experience religious trauma often notice persistent fear/anxiety, difficulty making decisions, identity confusion, and shame in various areas of life. 


Very similar to working with any other trauma! Along with trauma informed modalities that can be of help, much of our work will involve your experiences being validated, working on feeling at home in your body, and sorting through where you want to go next.


Does working on religious trauma in therapy mean I have to give up my faith?

Absolutely not! Religious trauma therapy with me is not about deconversion and is not anti-religion. Some individuals woud like to rebuild their faith in a healthy way, while others are processing grief and anger after leaving a faith community and need time to consider what is next for their faith. My role is to support you,  wherever you are in the process!


Therapy for Adult Adoptees 

What are some reasons an adult adoptee would seek therapy?

Is it normal to feel conflicting emotions, such as "I should feel grateful" alongside truggling with aspects of my adoption?

Can you support those in reunion as well as those from various adoption experiences?

There are many reasons an adoptee may seek therapy, whether it be simply to be validated in their experience or to work on deeper trauma. This may include grief and loss related to biological family, identity struggles and feelings of "I don't belong," or questions and/or help processing birth family reunion.

A resounding yes! Holding two emotions or experiences together can be very difficult. Often adoptees feel as if experiencing a sense of loss and a need to process their unique experience means they are not "grateful" for the positive aspects of their adoption story.
Yes! I have numerous hours of training in adoption competency as well as close to 10 years experience in the adoption field. I use sensitive language and recognize the nuances surrounding adoption experiences.
Yes, I can support those looking to reunite with birth family or who are in the process of doing so.
I also work with a range of adoption experiences, such as domestic adoption, international adoption, and  adoption from foster care.

Are you adoption competent?