You are not the first
to ask.
These are the questions that come up in almost every first call, answered the way I would answer them on the phone. If yours is not here, ask me directly. The first consultation is free, and questions are most of what it is for.
Do I need a diagnosis to start?
No. If you can describe the difficulty, we can work on the difficulty. Plenty of my clients have no formal diagnosis and never get one. If assessment would genuinely serve you, I will say so and point you well. Here is the full answer, because this question deserves more than a paragraph.
Who do you work with?
Professional adults with ADHD, autism, or both at once, and the anxiety, depression, and burnout that tend to travel with them. That covers individual therapy and couples work, where one or both partners run on this wiring.
How do I start?
Call or text 972.301.8851, or email [email protected]. A two line text is a perfectly good way to start, and you do not have to explain everything, or anything, in the first message. I reply within 24 hours, and the contact page walks through exactly what happens after that.
What happens in the free consultation?
We talk, by phone or video, and there is nothing to prepare. I answer your questions, and we figure out whether I am the right fit. If I am not, I will say so and point you to someone I trust.
How long are sessions, and how often do we meet?
Sessions run about an hour. I like to meet weekly for the first two or three sessions, because the early work is building a relationship and understanding the problem properly. After that, many of my clients choose to move to every other week, and I usually support it. Life needs to happen between sessions, and weekly is often more frequent than the work requires.
What is the first session like?
Longer than the consultation, and calmer than you are picturing. Scheduling and paperwork run through Orchid Health, a secure client portal, so the administrative part is done before we start. The hour itself is us mapping the territory: what is going right, what is costing you the most, and what you want to change first.
If we are meeting by video, set the room up for yourself. Your own chair, your own lighting, your own temperature, your own fidgets within reach. That is one of the quiet advantages of telehealth, and I mean for you to use it. You are welcome to pace, fidget, or look away from the screen; eye contact is not a requirement here, and it never will be. One practical tip: position your camera so your chin sits near the bottom of the screen rather than your whole head floating at the top. It makes the conversation feel like sitting across from someone instead of being watched by them.
If we are meeting in person in Dallas, arriving is simple. Park in the lot right next to the building, take the lobby elevator up, and have a seat in the waiting room; I will come get you at reception. The office keeps fidgets on hand for people who think better with something in their hands. The contact page has photos, the map, and directions.
What does a session cost?
An individual session is $200, and a couples session is $250. There are no surprise charges, and the Good Faith Estimate policy below spells your rights out in writing. If cost is the thing making you hesitate, say so in the consultation. It is a normal conversation to have, and I would rather have it than have you disappear.
Do you take insurance?
I do not bill insurance directly. You pay me, and if your plan allows out-of-network reimbursement, I provide a superbill you can submit. This keeps the treatment decisions between the two of us: no outside party deciding how many sessions your life is worth, and your records stay with me. If you want help figuring out what your plan reimburses, ask. I have walked plenty of people through it.
The superbill itself is three steps: you pay me and receive the superbill, you send it to your plan through their portal or app, and your plan reimburses you directly at its out-of-network rate.
Is what I tell you confidential?
Yes. What you share with me stays with me. As a Licensed Professional Counselor I am bound to confidentiality by law and by license, and the exceptions are narrow and specific: imminent danger to yourself or someone else, abuse or neglect of a child or a vulnerable adult, or a court order. If one of those lines is ever near, I will tell you.
Private pay adds a layer of privacy most people do not know about. Because I do not bill insurance, no insurance company receives a diagnosis, session notes, or any record that you are in therapy. Your file exists in one place, with me. If you choose to submit a superbill for reimbursement, that document does include a diagnosis code, and whether to send it is entirely your call.
Where do sessions happen?
Online across Texas, and in person in Dallas at Revolve Wellness Collective, Preston Center, 5944 Luther Lane, Suite 470, Dallas, TX 75225. The contact page has the map.
Do you prescribe medication?
No. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, and prescribing belongs to your prescriber. I trained at Daughters of Charity alongside prescribers, so I know the psychotropic medications well, and because we meet far more often than a med check allows, I will often notice what deserves their attention first. When that happens, I bring it to them, and it stays their call.
Do you do testing or formal assessment?
No. Testing is a specialty and it should be done by people who do it all day. If a formal evaluation would serve you, I keep referral sources across Dallas and I will match you to the one that fits what you need rather than handing you a list.
What is the cancellation policy?
Please give me at least 24 hours notice for any appointment change. Late cancellations or missed appointments may incur a fee. If you are running late, your session may be shortened, and arriving more than 15 minutes late may result in the appointment being refused.
Good Faith Estimate
A "Good Faith Estimate" in healthcare is an estimate of the cost for medical items and services. As mandated by the No Surprises Act (HR133, Title 45 Section 149.610) since January 2022, you have the right to receive a "Good Faith Estimate" to help you estimate the maximum expected charges for non-emergency items or services.
You are entitled to a "Good Faith Estimate" that outlines the anticipated cost of your medical and mental health care, including psychotherapy services. This estimate is particularly important for uninsured individuals or those not using insurance.
Before scheduling any service, you have the right to request a Good Faith Estimate from your healthcare provider or any other provider you choose. The estimate should detail the total expected cost of non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy.
In the event that you receive a bill that exceeds your Good Faith Estimate by at least $400, you have the right to dispute the bill. Please ensure you retain a copy or take a picture of your Good Faith Estimate for reference. For further questions or information regarding your right to a Good Faith Estimate, please visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
Electronic communication
While I take precautions to comply with HIPAA requirements, please be aware that electronic communication (including text messages) may not guarantee confidentiality. Email or text messaging can be used for scheduling or cancellations, but therapeutic content and emergency requests should be discussed during a formal counseling session.
Social media policy
To maintain confidentiality and minimize dual relationships, I do not accept friend or contact requests on social networking sites from current or former clients. We can discuss any questions regarding this policy during our sessions.
Ask the rest out loud.
The first consultation is free, by phone or video, and there is nothing to prepare. A two line text is a perfectly good way to start. Online across Texas, in person in Dallas. What question is still open?
Currently accepting new clients. I reply within 24 hours.