COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

“When I dare to be powerful—to use my strength in the service of my vision—then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid”

-Audre Lorde

  • I am located in Minnesota and provide telehealth services to clients located in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Washington, and North Dakota, when clinically appropriate and based on availability.

    Services must be provided to clients physically located in the state where I am licensed at the time of the session.

  • Meaningful change begins with understanding what you’re dealing with so you can actually do something about it. When we don’t have clarity, it’s easy to stay stuck in patterns of thinking, feeling, and reacting that no longer serve us.

    If you find yourself running into the same challenges again and again, therapy can help you get “unstuck” by:

    • Identifying reactive patterns in how you think, feel, behave, and relate to others the why behind what you do

    • Developing new ways of responding and living the how of doing things differently, in ways that align with how you want to live your life

    Lasting change doesn’t happen overnight. It takes intention, effort, and practice. Changing lifelong patterns can be hard work but it is possible. And you don’t have to do it alone.

    Envisioning Wellness together

  • People seek therapy for many different reasons. You might be navigating a crisis, adjusting to major life changes, struggling in relationships, feeling stuck with self-confidence or communication, or simply wanting space for personal growth and reflection.

    In the first few sessions, we focus on getting to know one another. I’ll take time to understand what brought you to therapy, what’s been going on in your life and relationships, your strengths and stressors, and what you’re hoping to gain from this process. From there, we work collaboratively to create a space that feels safe, supportive, and grounded one where exploration and growth can happen at your pace.

    In the early stages of therapy, I typically meet with clients weekly or every other week for 50-minute sessions, depending on your needs, goals, and availability.

    For many people, once immediate concerns are addressed and we’ve worked through underlying patterns, unmet emotional needs, or recurring challenges, we may gradually begin to space sessions out. This allows you to practice and integrate what you’ve learned in therapy into your day-to-day life. Over time, some clients reach a point where they feel ready to pause or end therapy, knowing they can return if needed.

    Because no two people are the same, therapy looks different for everyone. My goal is to tailor the space and the work to what you need and want from therapy.

    I believe that knowledge is power. By better understanding your symptoms, patterns, and experiences, we can work together to move through whatever has been holding you back from living a life that feels more aligned, grounded, and authentic to you.

  • There is an important difference between someone who can listen and someone who has the training, experience, and professional responsibility to support you through difficult situations.

    A mental health professional is trained to help you approach your concerns from new angles teaching practical skills, offering different perspectives, and providing a space where you can speak openly without judgment, expectations, or personal agendas. Therapy is a place where the focus stays on you, and where you can learn to better understand your thoughts, emotions, and patterns.

    Counseling is confidential, with a few legally required exceptions. You don’t have to worry about others “knowing your business” or carrying the emotional weight of your story outside the therapy space.

    Additionally, when a situation brings up intense emotions, relying heavily on friends or family can sometimes complicate relationships. Once you begin to feel better, you may find yourself avoiding those people not because they did anything wrong, but because they’re connected to a painful chapter in your life. Therapy allows you to process difficult experiences without risking strain or distance in the relationships you value.

  • Conversations between a therapist and client are confidential. Information will not be shared with others without your written consent, except in situations where disclosure is required by law.

    Therapists are legally mandated to break confidentiality in specific circumstances, including concerns about imminent risk of harm to yourself or others, or suspected abuse or neglect of a child or vulnerable adult.

    Whenever possible, any required disclosures will be discussed with you in advance, so you understand what is being shared and why.

  • Intake & Your First Session

    Before we begin therapy, you’ll complete an intake so I can get a general understanding of what’s bringing you in and any important background information. Sorry for all the paperwork

    From there, we’ll collaborate to develop a treatment plan that reflects your needs, goals, and priorities.

    Not sure what you need or where to start? That’s okay.

    When we’re struggling with our mental health, it’s often hard to clearly identify what we want or need. Things can feel cloudy, overwhelming, or exhausting, and motivation may be low. You don’t need to have everything figured out before starting therapy. We’ll work on envisioning wellness together.

    The First Session

    The primary purpose of the first session is for me to get to know you and understand what’s been happening in your life. This session is a space to begin building a working relationship and to start making sense of what support might be most helpful for you.

    Some of the questions we may explore include:

    • What brings you to therapy at this point in your life?

    • What are the biggest things currently impacting you?

    • What stressors are you dealing with right now?

    • If you were to summarize your life through a few significant moments, what would they be?

    • How would you like your life or relationships to feel different moving forward?

    There’s no right or wrong way to answer these questions, and no expectation to share everything at once. You’re always in control of the pace.

    Together, we’ll begin identifying what you need, what you’re hoping for, and how therapy can support meaningful change in a way that feels manageable and aligned with you.

  • Virtual therapy can be a helpful and effective way to receive support—but it isn’t the right fit for everyone.

    Virtual therapy may not be the best option if:

    • You’re unable to access a secure and reliable internet connection

    • You don’t have access to a private, safe space for sessions
      (For example: no door that can close, very thin walls, or frequent interruptions from others in the home.)

    • You are experiencing symptoms related to a severe mental health condition that may require a higher level of care than I provide
      (such as acute mood episodes or psychosis).

    • You are currently struggling with significant alcohol or substance use concerns that would be better supported through specialized treatment programs.

    • You are actively experiencing suicidal thoughts or are at immediate risk of harm.
      In these situations, please call 911, go to your nearest emergency department, or contact 988 for immediate support. Once you are safe, you may consider following up with a local, in-person provider.

    If you’re unsure whether virtual therapy is the right fit for you, we can talk through your needs together and explore appropriate options or referrals when needed.

  • 1. Telehealth Platform

    Sessions are held via Zoom, which uses secure, HIPAA-compliant technology to protect your privacy. When it’s time for your session, join your secure link. Once you click it, our video screens will open automatically.

    2. Choose a Quiet, Private Space

    Find a space where you can speak freely and won’t be interrupted. A room with a door that closes is ideal. Using headphones can help increase privacy and reduce background noise.

    3. What You’ll Need

    You can use a computer, tablet, or smartphone with a working camera and microphone. Please make sure you have a stable, secure internet connection.

    4. Minimize Technical Issues

    To reduce lag or dropped connections, close other browsers, apps, or programs before your session so your device can use full bandwidth.

    5. Get Comfortable

    Wear something comfortable. You might want a blanket, fidget, a journal, tissues, and a favorite drink tea, water, coffee, or whatever helps you feel grounded and at ease.

  • Some concerns can be addressed in a relatively brief period of time, while others may require longer-term support. There is no set timeline or formula for how long therapy will take.

    During the initial intake assessment, we’ll talk together about what’s bringing you to therapy and whether your needs are a good fit for the services offered at Envisioning Wellness. From there, we’ll check in regularly about your progress and adjust our work as needed.

    If your counseling needs would be better supported by a clinician with a different specialization or a higher level of care, I’ll work with you to explore appropriate referrals.

    Together, we’ll continue to evaluate your goals and determine when you feel you’ve gained what you need from therapy and are ready to pause or end services.

  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based, trauma-informed therapy that helps the brain process distressing or overwhelming experiences in a way that feels safer and more manageable.

    EMDR does not require you to describe traumatic experiences in detail or relive them out loud. While some talking is part of therapy, EMDR is not traditional “talk therapy” where you analyze events over and over. You remain in control of what you share, how much you share, and the pace of the work.

    Many people appreciate EMDR because it allows healing to happen without having to retell painful stories in full.

    If you’re curious about EMDR but unsure whether it’s right for you, you’re welcome to reach out with questions before scheduling.

  • Yes. EMDR can be effectively provided through telehealth. I use adaptations designed specifically for virtual sessions while maintaining the integrity of the EMDR protocol.

    We will talk through what telehealth EMDR looks like and make sure it feels like a good fit before moving forward.

    I do offer in person EMDR sessions at the Eagan office

  • EMDR can be helpful for many people, including those navigating trauma, anxiety, grief, life transitions, and longstanding patterns that feel hard to shift. That said, it is not the right approach for everyone or at every stage.

    We will assess together whether EMDR is appropriate for you and whether it feels like the right fit at this time.

  • No. EMDR is one option, not a requirement. Therapy is collaborative, and we will decide together what approaches feel most supportive for your needs, goals, and comfort level.

  • I accept American Express, Visa, and Mastercard, including FSA/HSA debit cards

    Clients are required to maintain a card on file for payment and may choose to enroll in auto-pay for convenience.

  • Some clients choose private pay for increased flexibility and privacy.

    With private pay:

    • You may have more flexibility in the focus, frequency, and duration of therapy, without the limitations that insurance plans sometimes impose.

    • A mental health diagnosis is generally not required for billing purposes, which may limit how information is shared with insurance companies or third parties.

    Some clients prefer private pay due to concerns about how diagnoses or treatment information may be used by insurance providers now or in the future. Clients are encouraged to consult their insurance or financial providers directly if they have questions about how mental health records may impact coverage or policies.

  • If you are unable to attend a scheduled session, please provide at least 12 hours’ notice. Sessions can be canceled in advance through the patient portal.

    Cancellations made with less than 12 hours’ notice, as well as missed appointments, may be subject to a $50 late cancellation fee. Insurance does not cover these fees.

    Therapy sessions are scheduled in advance and are reserved exclusively for you. When a session is canceled without adequate notice, the time cannot typically be offered to another current client, someone on the waitlist, or a client in need of urgent care.