FAQs
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What is EMDR?
EMDR is a trauma processing technique which was originally developed for Vietnam vets. It can include side-to-side eye movement, alternating sounds or physical tapping. Trauma is largely stored in the right rear part of the brain. This is actived when we look to our left. Rationality, reason, meaning-making and language is stored in the left prefrontal cortex. This part of the brain is activated when we look to our right. As we alternate looking from left to right, it creates increased connectivity in the brain. While some other schools of therapy consider EMDR pseudo-science, it is the most extensively studied trauma processing therapy in existence. Most individuals (80 percent) who participate in EMDR report successfully processing and resolving their trauma
How do psilocybin help mental health?
Many studies are currently being conducted on the use of psilocybin for both physical and mental health. You can look into credible research through Johns Hopkins here, but the heart of mental health change which comes from psilocybin use is on a neurological level. Through brain imaging, researchers have found that use of psilocybin creates "complex brain," or a complex connectivity between areas in the brain which aren't normally in communication with each other. This is a similar brain activity which occurs when we engage in EMDR or when we enter REM sleep. This complex brain state allows individuals to achieve a new understanding of themselves and their experiences through increasing the functioning of the prefrontal cortex and resetting the default mode network. A lot of things to click on in this section, because there are a lot of things to research here and I suggest you inform yourself the best you can if this is a route you are interested in taking.
What kind of counseling do you do?
My counseling program was based in psychodynamic practice. Psychodynamic modality takes into account how we build upon our experiences to develop a view and understanding of our selves and the world. Throughout our life, we experience different stages of development and while we are constantly changing (dynamic), experiences which happen earlier in life can continue to impact our beliefs and mental patterning (psycho) long after those experiences have passed. This perspective is heavily supported by the neuroscience of brain development. Solution-focused practices are action based. We'll always be exploring what we can do differently and how to implement action to help you achieve your goals. Most counselors will integrate various forms of intervention to a main modality, so we can do some CBT, DBT and ACT in session too. Since I have training in EMDR, my general structure of my practice is largely sculpted around this intervention as well.
Do you take insurance?
Currently I am not accepting any more insurance clients. Feel free to reach out to me however to be put on a waitlist. I can take most insurances but don't work with TriWest or Medicare.
What are your rates then?
Counseling sessions, be it one-on-one or with a couple or family, are $125 per hour. Program development consultation meetings are set at a minimum of 2 hours per meeting to allow adequate time for us to plan together and are $125 per hour.
Brief informational phone calls, getting to know each other or seeing if we're a good fit for each other is free, however. These calls are only going to be about 15-30 minutes long. Beyond this timeframe, I think we need to schedule a full session.
Services for psilocybin harm-reduction and integration are currently being offered as a package deal through Origins Health. Working as part of a holistic team will ensure you are both physically and mentally prepared for your psilocybin experience.
Group and workshop prices vary depending on the length of the workshop or group. In general, whatever we are doing will be around $20-$40 per hour.
I'm local; am I safe to see you?
Let's face it, life in a small rural town can be weird. Chances are if you are local, you probably were referred to me by a friend, neighbor or coworker. As a counselor, I'm held to a legal and ethical standard to protect your privacy. Not doing so would mean I would lose my licensure, which would make the better part of the last decade of my life seem rather pointless. Although you can talk about members of the community to me, I can never talk about things you've shared in counseling with anyone else, including other clients. If I see you around town, I will likely give you a small wave, depending on the context of our passing. If I feel like waving to you may indicate to those around us that you're my client, I will likely not give you a wave. You're always free to approach me however, and you are always allowed to disclose your own relationship with me to others. I just can't make any comments about that; even if you were to disclose your relationship with me, anything considered personal health information (you being my client, your diagnosis, anything you have ever said in session...) will always remain private and protected by law on my end.