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In individual counseling, I work collaboratively with those suffering from a variety of different issues including but not limited to the following: depression, anxiety, grief and loss, addiction, unresolved trauma, the effects of physical, emotional or sexual abuse, codependency, stress related problems, anger management, relationship conflicts as well as everyday life adjustments. I am committed to providing a professional, honest, and confidential setting to process the thoughts, emotions and behaviors associated with your individual situation. Regardless of the problem, I believe that the most important aspect of a positive experience in therapy is finding trust and acceptance in the therapeutic relationship.
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Problems in romantic relationships are one of the most common reasons to visit a therapist. Therapy is safe place to invest in a relationship and restore what may have been lost over time by confronting difficult topics and breaking dysfunctional patterns. Couples counseling is also beneficial for enhancing relationships by discovering new and productive ways to communicate. I have been professionally trained in the Gottman Method of Relationship therapy as well as Imago Relationship Therapy.
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Pre-marriage counseling is a great way to set your marriage up for success. We will cover a variety of different topics including marital roles, communication, apologies, confrontation, sex, finances, children, spirituality and in-laws. Pre-marital counseling is beneficial for every couple on their journey towards marriage.
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Depression can be paralyzing and feel as if it is endless. It is my commitment to provide accurate assessments of depression, educate my clients on the symptomology of depression, and most importantly provide affective treatment options that we can work on together during therapy. The best part? Depression can be treated affectively in therapy and there is vast hope.
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Anxiety can have long term effects on your physical and emotional health as well as relationships. It can rob you of sleep and a sense of safety, bring crippling fear or panic attacks, and make it impossible to sit still or experience peace on a daily basis. Treating your anxiety is very important. We can do this by addressing root issues connected to the development of your anxiety, learn affective coping skills to manage symptoms of anxiety and discuss individual solutions to prevent anxiety.
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The biggest misconception about grief is that time heals. Grief and loss counseling at Tides involves having a therapist invested in listening to your story and sitting on the edge of your pain with you, not intending to fix it. We can discuss important memories connected to the grief, identify the important stages of grief and find closure. Facing grief is one of the most painful experiences of life, is very different for each individual, and doesn’t have to be faced alone. During this time of pain, confusion, frustration, and lack of motivation, we can provide comfort, support and direction.
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Addiction is fierce and it steals from our lives. I have spent the past 6 years studying addiction and have vast experience treating those who suffer from a variety of addictions. Whether it be drugs, alcohol, gambling, shopping, eating, sex or exercise; there can be relief. I am a Master’s level certified addiction professional as well as internationally certified to treat drug and alcohol addictions. Don’t hesitate to confront your addiction, especially not alone.
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Any deeply distressing or disturbing experience can be considered as trauma. Trauma is delicate and needs to be addressed with an experienced professional. I am an EMDR trained therapist as well as a Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapist. Narrative therapy is also an effective treatment modality that I commonly use to address trauma. I am dedicated to providing support and safety while addressing trauma during therapy and am confident in processing a variety of topics including unresolved physical, sexual and emotional abuse, abandonment and neglect. I have experience working with emergency responders as well as veterans addressing the difficulties involved in each of their unique professions. Tides Counseling will assist you in your journey through the painful experience in order to find restoration and healing.
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Codependency is a maladaptive way of functioning in a helping relationship where the ‘caretaker’ has an unhealthy reliance on the other. Some common symptoms of those suffering from codependency include practicing enabling behaviors, poor boundary setting and keeping, helping to the point where it hurts themselves, poor self-care, increased anxiety, and increased need for control. Find support and accountability in the therapeutic relationship to set boundaries and navigate codependent or enmeshed relationships that leave you feeling drained.
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The stress of everyday life can take a toll on your mental and physical health without the appropriate coping skills to adapt day to day. We can discuss ways to increase your self-awareness, adjust how you are coping with stress currently, restore sleep patterns, discuss career options as well as try new and different ways to manage stress in order to find a solution.
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Is your anger affecting your relationships, work or focus? Anger management is crucial to your productivity and destructive anger patterns can leave you feeling full of guilt and shame. Contact Tides Counseling to find support, understanding and alternative solutions in the therapeutic relationship in a non-judgmental setting.
LENGTH OF THERAPY:
The frequency of therapy sessions varies depending on your particular needs and desires, but we typically meet weekly or bi-weekly for 50-minute sessions. Initially, it is difficult to predict the duration of how many sessions will be needed, so we will collaboratively discuss from session to session what the next steps are and how often therapy sessions will occur. The client reserves the right to request an increase or decrease to frequency at any time. The client also reserves the right to end treatment at any time, but I request that you communicate this desire directly to me.
FEES:
The fee for each 50-minute therapy session is $200.00 and payment is due at the end of each session. Acceptable forms of payment are: exact-amount cash, check, or credit/debit card.
Are You Ready to Get Started?
REASONS I CHOOSE NOT TO ACCEPT INSURANCE
Reduced Ability to Choose:
Most health care plans today offer little coverage and/or reimbursement for mental health services. Most HMOs and PPOs require pre-authorization before you can receive services. This means you must call the company and justify why you are seeking therapeutic services in order for you to receive reimbursement. The insurance representative, who may or may not be a mental health professional, will decide whether services will be allowed. If authorization is given, you are often restricted to seeing the providers on the insurance company’s list. Reimbursement is reduced if you choose someone who is not on the contracted list; consequently, your choice of providers is often significantly restricted.
Pre-Authorization and Reduced Confidentiality:
Insurance typically authorizes several therapy sessions at a time. When these sessions are finished, your therapist must justify the need for continued services. Sometimes additional sessions are not authorized, leading to an abrupt end of the therapeutic relationship even if a crisis suddenly emerges. Your insurance company may require additional clinical information that is confidential in order to approve or justify continuation of services as “medically necessary.” Confidentiality cannot be assured or guaranteed when an insurance company requires this disclosure of information. Even if the therapist justifies the need for ongoing services, your insurance company may decline services. Your insurance company dictates if treatment will or will not be covered, which in my view violates your right to self-determination. Note: Personal information might be added to national medical information data banks regarding treatment.
Negative Impacts of a Psychiatric Diagnosis:
Insurance companies require clinicians to give a mental health diagnosis (e.g. “Major Depressive Disorder” or “Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder”) for reimbursement. Psychiatric diagnoses may negatively impact you in the following ways:
1) Denial of insurance when applying for disability/life insurance due to a “pre-existing condition”
2) Company (mis)control of information when claims are processed
3) Loss of confidentiality due to the increased number of persons handling claims
4) Loss of employment and/or repercussions of a diagnosis in situations where you may be required to reveal a mental health disorder diagnosis on your record. This includes but is not limited to: applying for a job, financial aid, and/or concealed weapons permits
5) A psychiatric diagnosis can be brought into court (i.e. divorce court, family law, criminal)
It is also important to note that some psychiatric diagnoses are not eligible for reimbursement. This is often true for marriage/couples therapy, and adjustment disorders.
Not working with insurance leads to enhanced quality of care and other advantages such as:
You are in control of your care, including choosing your therapist, duration of treatment, frequency of sessions, etc.
Increased privacy and confidentiality (except for limits of confidentiality outlined above)
Not having a mental health disorder diagnosis on your medical record
Consulting with me on non-psychiatric issues that are important to discuss but not billable by insurance such as learning how to cope with life changes, gaining more effective communication skills in your relationships, increasing personal insight, exploring ambivalence and developing healthy coping.
After reading my position on why I do not accept health insurance, you may still decide to use your health insurance. Although I choose not to participate in any insurance panels directly, I am willing to provide you with the necessary paperwork for partial reimbursement of services if your insurance accepts out-of-network benefits. Please speak to your insurance company directly for specific reimbursement conditions and limits. If do you elect to submit paperwork to your insurance for purposes of reimbursement, please be aware that a written diagnosis is a requirement for coverage, the risks of which I have detailed above.
