Frequently Asked Questions

Starting virtual therapy is a brave step toward healing, and it’s completely normal to feel nervous or unsure about what to expect in your first session. During your initial online therapy appointment, we will spend most of our time completing a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment to better understand your current concerns and your personal history. This includes discussing your mental health symptoms, medical background, relationships, coping strategies, stressors, and any life experiences that may be contributing to anxiety, trauma, PTSD, eating disorder behaviors, or nervous system dysregulation.

As part of this process, I may ask open-ended questions such as “Tell me your life story” to understand the important experiences that led you to seek therapy at this time. We will also review informed consent forms, confidentiality policies, and confirm payment information before beginning services. The first therapy session is a great opportunity to ask questions and share any concerns you may have about starting virtual therapy in Tennessee, Virginia, or Colorado.

The intake assessment may take one to two sessions to complete. After gathering this information, we will work together to identify your therapy goals and develop a personalized treatment plan. I will also provide more information about the evidence-based approaches I use, such as EMDR therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), so you know what to expect from the therapeutic process moving forward.

Virtual therapy (also known as online therapy or telehealth counseling) allows you to meet with your therapist from the comfort of your home without needing to travel to an office. Research shows that virtual therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy for treating concerns such as trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and eating disorders when services are provided through a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform. I use SimplePractice, a confidential telehealth system designed to protect your privacy while receiving mental health care online.

Evidence-based approaches such as EMDR therapy can also be provided effectively through virtual therapy. Online EMDR uses modified bilateral stimulation techniques (such as eye movements, tapping, or audio tones) and has been shown to be comparable in effectiveness to in-person EMDR for trauma processing and nervous system regulation when conducted by a trained clinician.

Many clients appreciate the convenience of virtual therapy, including increased access to care, reduced time commitment without commuting or waiting rooms, and the ability to attend sessions from a familiar environment. Online therapy services are available to clients located in Tennessee, Virginia, and Colorado.

To get the most out of virtual therapy, clients should plan to attend sessions from a quiet, private space with a reliable internet connection to support a safe and uninterrupted therapeutic experience.

Yes, I am in-network with Cigna and BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee (BCBS TN) for virtual therapy services provided to clients located in Tennessee. At this time, I am only able to accept insurance for therapy sessions for Tennessee residents. Clients receiving virtual therapy services in Virginia or Colorado are considered out-of-network and may choose to utilize private pay options.

If you plan to use insurance to cover the cost of online therapy, it’s recommended that you contact your insurance provider directly to verify your mental health benefits, including deductible, copay, and coverage for telehealth therapy in Tennessee. While I make every effort to provide accurate estimates of your therapy costs and benefits, clients are ultimately responsible for confirming their insurance coverage and understanding any out-of-pocket expenses associated with treatment.

My private pay rate for therapy services is $150 per session. Some specialized services, including sound-based therapies such as the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), are not typically covered by insurance and may require an additional out-of-pocket fee.

Due to federal Medicaid regulations, therapists who are not credentialed with Medicaid are not permitted to accept private pay from clients who are Medicaid beneficiaries for services that would otherwise be covered by Medicaid. Because I am not credentialed with Medicaid, I am unable to provide out-of-pocket therapy services to individuals enrolled in Medicaid plans.

Virtual therapy services are available for clients located in Tennessee, Virginia, and Colorado. Please feel free to reach out if you have additional questions about using insurance for therapy or private pay options.

The length of therapy varies for each individual depending on your unique needs, goals, and the concerns you are seeking support for. There is no guaranteed timeline for symptom relief in virtual therapy, as treatment for concerns such as trauma, PTSD, anxiety, eating disorders, or nervous system dysregulation often requires a personalized approach.

Some clients begin online therapy to address temporary stressors and may benefit from short-term treatment lasting a few months. Others who are working through more complex or long-standing challenges, such as trauma or chronic anxiety, may participate in therapy for a year or longer. For many clients engaged in trauma-focused virtual therapy, treatment may last anywhere from several months to one to two years.

Throughout the therapy process, we will regularly assess your progress and collaborate on treatment goals to ensure your care remains aligned with your needs. If you have additional questions about what to expect from therapy services in Tennessee, Virginia, or Colorado, please feel free to reach out.

Progress in therapy can look different for everyone, especially in trauma-focused virtual therapy. When addressing concerns such as trauma, PTSD, anxiety, eating disorders, or nervous system dysregulation, it’s not uncommon for therapy to feel more challenging before you begin to experience relief. Online therapy is a gradual process, and meaningful change often develops over time rather than happening overnight.

Improvement in therapy may feel subtle at first, which is why it can be helpful to reflect on how you were feeling, coping, and functioning when you first began treatment compared to where you are now. Signs that virtual therapy may be working include feeling more in control of your emotions, gaining new perspectives on stressful situations, having increased clarity or confidence in decision-making, and noticing improvements in your relationships or daily functioning.

You may also find that you are using coping skills or nervous system regulation strategies learned in therapy more effectively in your everyday life. Throughout the online therapy process, we will regularly evaluate your progress and adjust your treatment plan to support continued growth and healing.

It’s not uncommon to feel emotionally overwhelmed after a virtual therapy session, especially when working through trauma, PTSD, anxiety, or other deeply personal experiences in online therapy. Processing difficult memories or emotions can sometimes bring up temporary distress as part of the healing process.

At the end of challenging sessions, we will work together to practice grounding techniques, container exercises, or other nervous system regulation strategies to help you feel more settled before logging off. After your therapy appointment, it can be helpful to give yourself time to decompress by engaging in calming activities such as taking a walk, practicing deep breathing, journaling, listening to music, or doing something creative.

Grounding exercises, including mindfulness practices or focusing on your senses, can also support emotional regulation and help bring your nervous system back to the present moment. Taking quiet time for yourself or reaching out to a trusted support person may also be beneficial following an emotionally intensive therapy session.

If feelings of overwhelm continue or become difficult to manage between sessions, we can address this together during your next virtual therapy appointment and develop personalized coping strategies to support your safety and comfort throughout the therapy process. Healing through trauma-focused therapy often takes time, and it’s important to move at a pace that feels manageable for you.

Yes, you can participate in virtual therapy from anywhere in Tennessee as long as you are physically located within the state at the time of your session. Online therapy (also known as telehealth counseling) allows you to attend appointments from the comfort of your home or another private location using a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform.

Virtual therapy services are available to clients throughout Tennessee, including Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Memphis, Clarksville, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Johnson City, and surrounding areas. As long as you have access to a reliable internet connection and a quiet, confidential space, you can receive online therapy without needing to travel to an in-person office.

Online therapy can be especially helpful for individuals seeking support for trauma, PTSD, anxiety, eating disorders, or nervous system dysregulation who may benefit from increased flexibility and accessibility. If you have questions about starting virtual therapy in Tennessee, please feel free to reach out.

Yes, therapy can be an important part of managing chronic illness. Living with ongoing medical conditions such as dysautonomia, POTS, autoimmune disorders, or chronic pain can impact not only your physical health, but also your mental and emotional well-being. Many individuals with chronic illness experience increased anxiety, depression, trauma responses, or nervous system dysregulation related to medical symptoms, diagnostic experiences, or ongoing stress.

Virtual therapy can help individuals with chronic illness learn coping strategies to manage the emotional impact of their condition, improve stress tolerance, and support nervous system regulation. Trauma-informed approaches such as EMDR therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and somatic-based interventions may also help address medical trauma, health-related anxiety, or the psychological effects of long-term illness.

Online therapy services are available for clients in Tennessee, Virginia, and Colorado who are seeking support in adjusting to chronic illness, improving emotional resilience, and developing skills to better manage the mind-body connection. If you have questions about how therapy may support your experience with chronic illness, please feel free to reach out.

Trauma can affect individuals in many different ways, and the signs of trauma are not always obvious. Emotional or psychological trauma may develop after experiencing or witnessing a distressing event such as an accident, medical procedure, abuse, loss, or other overwhelming life experiences. Common signs of trauma can include anxiety, intrusive thoughts or memories, difficulty sleeping, irritability, emotional numbness, avoidance of certain people or places, and feeling constantly on edge or unsafe.

Some individuals may also notice physical symptoms related to nervous system dysregulation, such as fatigue, muscle tension, headaches, digestive issues, or changes in heart rate. Trauma can impact relationships, mood, concentration, and daily functioning, and may contribute to conditions such as PTSD, chronic stress, or health-related anxiety.

Virtual therapy can help individuals process traumatic experiences and develop coping strategies to support emotional regulation and healing. Online trauma therapy services are available for clients in Tennessee, Virginia, and Colorado who are seeking support for PTSD symptoms, anxiety, or the long-term effects of stressful or overwhelming experiences. If you have questions about whether therapy may be helpful for trauma-related concerns, please feel free to reach out.