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 offer virtual sessions only. A small number of in-person availability may be coming in the Fall of 2026; feel free to reach out if you'd like to be notified when these spots open up.
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 feel uneasy about 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 deeper work of what brings you here, but I don't shy away from bringing humor and lightness into sessions as well.
How many sessions will I need? 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.
Clean and simple. Ready to move on to the EMDR section and think through what stays, what gets consolidated, and what gets cut?
Frequently Asked
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked
Questions
My approach: somatic and parts-informed work
What does "somatic" mean in therapy?
What does "parts" mean in therapy?
What does a somatic or parts-informed session look like?
"Somatic" simply refers to the body. A somatic-informed approach recognizes the connection between the body and mind in the healing process. Rather than focusing exclusively on thoughts and insight, this kind of work pays attention to physical sensations, tension, breath, and the way your nervous system responds to stress and experience. This doesn't mean therapy becomes a physical experience; we are still talking and exploring together. It simply means we slow down enough to notice what your body might be communicating, because that information is often where the deeper understanding lives.
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. Rather than trying to push past or get rid of these parts, we work to understand and respect them, getting curious about what they need and helping them feel safe enough to engage in the process.
Sessions with me don't follow a rigid structure. We might begin by checking in on what you're noticing in your body or what's been present for you since we last met. From there, we follow what feels most alive or pressing for you in that moment.
You might find that we slow down around a particular feeling or sensation, getting curious about it rather than rushing past it. Or we might notice a part of you that keeps showing up (maybe one that shuts down, gets frustrated, or works hard to keep things together) and spend time understanding what that part needs.
It's a collaborative process, and you're never pushed to go somewhere you're not ready to go. Some sessions feel quiet and internal, others feel more like a conversation. Both are part of the work.
Religious harm, trauma and deconstruction
Do my experiences with religion count as trauma... and what is religious trauma anyway?
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. This can include rigid, high-control, or fear-based environments, but also subtler experiences, such as shame-based teaching, spiritual authority that felt unsafe, or simply growing up in a system that left little room for doubt or questions.
One of the most common questions I hear is "I don't know if what I experienced was really trauma." That question alone is worth exploring. Religious harm exists on a spectrum; not every painful religious experience meets the clinical definition of trauma, and yet the impact can still be real and significant. You don't need a label to deserve support.
In many ways it looks similar to other trauma work, but with some important distinctions. Religious systems often shape how we see ourselves at a very deep level, so this work tends to involve more than processing specific events. We spend time understanding the messages you internalized, getting curious about the parts of you that were formed within that system, and slowly building a relationship with your own body and inner world that may have been dismissed or overridden for a long time.
Validation is a big part of this work, and so is patience. There's no rushing toward a particular outcome, whether that's rebuilding faith, leaving it behind, or something in between.
Does working on religious trauma in therapy mean I have to give up my faith?
Absolutely not. This work is not about deconversion and is not anti-religion. Some want to rebuild their faith in a healthier way, while others are processing grief and anger after leaving a faith community and need time to consider what comes next. My role is to support you wherever you are in that process, without an agenda for where you should end up.
EMDR
How is EMDR different from talk therapy?
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (like guided eye movements or tapping) to help the brain process and reframe painful memories rather than just talking about them. Think of it as helping your brain finish what it didn't get to complete at the time of the experience. In my practice, EMDR is one tool within a broader approach that also includes somatic and parts-informed work.
Can EMDR be combined with other approaches?
Absolutely! EMDR is never a standalone process in my practice. I regularly weave it together with somatic and parts-informed approaches, paying attention to what your body is telling you and the different parts of you that show up around memories, emotions, or challenges. This integration sets the stage for EMDR to be more effective and ensures we're always working with your system rather than pushing against it.
Is EMDR safe and how do you conduct it virtually?
Yes! EMDR is safe, especially when adequate time is taken before moving into the deeper work to make sure you feel safe with me and with therapy in general. The goal is always to keep you within your window of tolerance, meaning emotions and sensations stay manageable rather than overwhelming. Virtual EMDR sessions work very similarly to in-person sessions, and we can explore different bilateral stimulation options to find what works best for you.
