FAQ

Appointments are typically available between 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. I do have some in-person evening appointments available on Wednesdays, but they fill up fast and may not be available for emergencies. I have much more flexibility, including evening and weekend appointments, with phone/video sessions.

Most counselors offer 40-50 minute sessions, but I offer full-hour sessions. However, if we are in the middle of something big or heavy, we can run longer, as long as I do not have another client waiting. Typically, if a session runs more than 15 minutes over, the charge will be prorated in 15-minute increments after the first 15 minutes. I can also do half-sessions or two-hour sessions when needed, with half-sessions being half-price and two-hour sessions billed as two sessions. 

Before you agree to utilize your health insurance for counseling services, I highly recommend you consider all the facts. For instance, what is your deductible and co-pay? Often high deductibles and co-pays negate the benefits of using insurance.

Also, are you prepared to be labeled with a mental health diagnosis? (A mental health diagnosis is required for insurance to cover counseling, and this diagnosis becomes part of your permanent health record that all healthcare providers have access to.)

In addition, at any point, the insurance company can demand copies of the therapist’s records, including notes, and I find this makes it harder for clients to be open and honest.

To learn more about the potential negative consequences of utilizing insurance, read my blog about health insurance.

While I did accept insurance for many years, I stopped doing so when things got too complicated with insurance companies. Between the extra staff required, the frequent rejections, and the disadvantages to my clients, it became too much of a deterrent. Therefore, I am now private pay only.

I do, however, accept FSA and HSA cards if you have a health savings account. 

I discuss fees during your FREE phone consultation. Call (682) 365-2099 today to schedule your free 20-minute consultation.

Because I care about people, I do offer a limited number of clients the ability to apply for a sliding-scale fee. If you find my fees are out of your acceptable range, please ask about applying for a sliding-scale fee.

Payment for services is due at the completion of your session. I accept FSA and HSA cards, cash, checks, Venmo, Zelle, and Cashapp. I also accept PayPal and credit cards with a nominal service fee to cover what they charge me. 

If you cannot keep a scheduled appointment, I ask you to please give me at least 24 hours of notice. I work hard to keep my schedule fair for my clients, especially with the coveted evening and weekend slots.

Some clients ask to be placed on my cancellation list so that they can be notified of an appointment opening. Your time slot is reserved for you; but if you cannot make it, someone else may be able to take advantage of it.

Since your time is reserved specifically for you, if you no-show or cancel without 24 hours of notice, which prevents me from offering your time to someone else, you will be charged the full fee for a missed appointment.

Therefore, if you are running late or cannot make your appointment, you may want to consider a phone or online appointment. If you are in couples or family counseling, you may want to consider showing up with “less than everyone.”

I work with clients of all ages from preteen to geriatric.

Because I do not conduct play therapy, I do prefer my clients to be old enough to communicate and discuss issues. Depending on maturity and development, this is usually around age 10 or 11.

I particularly enjoy working with adolescents. While they frequently resist counseling at first, they tend to become motivated to change once they realize you care and that they can trust you.

My areas of expertise include anger management, relationship issues, adolescent issues, depression, anxiety, and self-esteem.

I am also highly experienced with parenting and step-parenting issues, blended family difficulties, grief and loss, divorce adjustment, addictive behaviors, overcoming abuse, aging issues, marriage and family counseling, and premarital counseling

One of my specialties is anger management; and, believe it or not, anger is the root cause of many other issues. For instance, depression, anxiety, and addiction are often related to suppressed anger.

Anger is also a huge contributor to relationship issues, divorce, affairs, and abuse, and can even lead to job loss and arrest.

The first step to setting up an appointment is a FREE 20-minute phone consultation with me. To set up your free consultation, call or text my office at (682) 365-2099 today (even if it is a weekend or evening!), so we can get you on the schedule.

During this consultation, we will get to know each other a little bit. I will ask you about what is going on and what you hope to accomplish with counseling. You will have an opportunity to ask me questions. At the end of our conversation, if we both feel like we will be able to get you to where you want to be, we can schedule our first session at that time.

To allow maximum flexibility for my clients, I offer counseling sessions face-to-face, over the phone, or online with video. You can choose one or do a mixture, whichever you prefer.

While many clients prefer in-person counseling, some like the flexibility phone calls and video sessions allow. More and more clients are finding that phone or video sessions not only negate the drive time but relieve them of the stresses of driving through traffic or running late.

Phone and video sessions also allow a greater level of anonymity – instead of worrying someone may see them entering a counseling office, they can receive help in the privacy of their own home. Or car. Or wherever they happen to be. This also works well for couples looking for counseling when they are in different locations.

Phone and video sessions also allow a continuation of counseling when clients are traveling or unavailable to come to the office for other reasons.

In addition, appointment times are much more flexible with virtual sessions, as I can do those in the evenings and on Saturdays from my home office.

Face-to-face counseling is provided at two locations, including Flower Mound and north Fort Worth.

For several reasons, most coaching sessions are performed over the phone. This is possible as nonverbal cues, such as body language and facial expressions, are not as important as with high-emotion counseling.

This is a benefit to you, as you do not have to worry about driving time or traffic to travel to me. You also don’t have to worry about running late, as you can call me from anywhere. Even your car.

It also allows me to provide coaching sessions to clients who travel out of town or those who are not local.

However, I do provide face-to-face coaching sessions for those who are local and prefer it.

You can also expect some homework. This allows you to do some thinking and dreaming on your own and allows you to achieve more in a shorter amount of time.

In addition, I can respond to clients via emails or texts between sessions as part of the package. This is helpful for those times when something comes up between sessions, such as a decision to make, questions regarding your homework, or if you would like some advice about something.

No! Most individuals receiving help from a counselor are normal people with struggles and difficulties.

Some seek help to improve their quality of life.

Almost everyone can benefit from a counselor at one point or another in their lives. We all experience challenges and struggles, and sometimes a little help is needed.

Deciding to get help is a sign of healthy coping skills.

Wanting to improve and change things takes strength, work, and dedication. It is the opposite of weakness.

One hundred percent. You never have to worry about what you say to me. You can trust that anything and everything you say will stay between us. (A big reason I do not accept insurance.) I am your safe place. In fact, if we happen to bump into each other outside of counseling, I will pretend like I don’t know you – unless you decide to approach me!

Absolutely! While I will not push Christianity on anyone or talk about faith to someone not interested, I am also a believer. I received my master’s and doctoral degrees from seminary and am highly capable of providing Christian counseling.

If your spiritual beliefs matter to you, they matter to me.

In fact, no topic is forbidden when you are in session with me.

I fully realize there are many careers I would never want to do and that being a counselor isn’t for everyone. Many people don’t understand how I can sit all day listening to angry, emotional, and depressed people complain, cry, and talk about bad things they have done or have been done to them. But I don’t see it that way.

I feel honored and privileged when people trust me enough to confide in me. Especially when they are finally able to talk about things that have haunted them for years, maybe even decades, that they have never told anyone else. So often counseling is the first step on the path of healing, and I get to witness the courage and strength of my clients when they face their issues.

I also believe there is healing in tears. I not only don’t mind when people cry, but I encourage the release.

In addition, I get the joy of seeing people finally “get it” when they experience a breakthrough or figure out a “why” or “how.” The “aha” moment is truly inspiring and invigorating for everyone involved.

Moreover, I get to celebrate successes with my clients and see them transform, grow, and heal. I get to see them become whole and healthy.

No, I don’t ever get tired of helping others. In fact, I LOVE being a counselor.

Simply call (682) 365-2099, fill out the contact form, or shoot me an email to schedule your FREE 20-minute phone consultation with me.