As You Are Counseling:

Book a 15-minute consultation call with me (for free!) to see if we’re a good fit. You may also just book an initial therapy appointment here!

I am available to existing clients via phone call or secure messaging (through SimplePractice) during normal business hours. I do not provide 24/7 crisis services (see crisis). I am unable to provide crisis services to nonclients.

Address: 35 E Seventh St, Cincinnati OH 45202

Once inside: Enter the elevator (on your left) and go to the 7th floor. You may also check in with front desk staff for assistance. Once on the 7th floor, you will turn right and meet me at Suite 711! The sign will say ‘Velocity Workspaces’.

I will also send a text with these directions to all clients scheduled for their first in-person appointments.

Parking is available at

• LAZ Parking Garage: 36 E 7th St.

• Center at 600 Vine St. Garage

• 7W7/Park Place Garage: 7 W 7th St.

• 7th & Vine Lot: 710 Vine St

• Olympic Valet Garage: 120 E 7th St.

• 8th & Walnut Lot: 750 Walnut St

You may also use the following websites to find nearby parking:

• https://en.parkopedia.com/

• https://spothero.com/

Great question :) During the diagnostic assessment, I will explain my policies (such as attendance, confidentiality, contacting me between sessions, etc) and review the intake forms you completed first. Then I will ask you about:

• The reason(s) that you’re seeking therapy

• How you’re functioning in daily life (eating, sleeping, social life, your job, family relationships, hobbies, etc)

• Your history - knowing the ups and downs of your story may help me get a better picture of the current problem

• Your culture and cultural identities (race, ethnicity, spirituality, gender, sexuality) - the intention here is to understand and respect you as a whole person

• Your family history of mental or physical health challenges

• Your previous experiences with therapy or mental health services, if any

• Your goals for therapy

• And what is going well for you!

YOU ALWAYS GET TO SAY ‘NO’ OR ‘I’M NOT READY YET’ TO ANY QUESTIONS I MAY ASK!

You are welcome to bring any paperwork from previous testing or providers if there’s anything you’d like me to know. Examples might include ADHD or psychological testing documentation, or a medical leave from work. This is up to your comfort level.

If it helps you to communicate clearly, you’re welcome to write about these topics in a journal or your phone and bring it to the appointment! This isn’t an expectation, but can be helpful especially if you’re nervous.

Looky HERE!

Also see: Therapy Rates and Payment Options (TherapyFinder)

Yes, somewhat!

1. I can accept HSA cards for high-deductible plans.

2. I would recommend calling your insurance company and learning more about out-of-network benefits! You will be responsible for submitting any out-of-network claims to your insurance company.

   • I am able to provide superbills for your claims, monthly or as needed.

   • Here is a guide that can help you with determining your out-of-network benefits.

3. Mentaya helps with submitting out-of-network claims to your insurance company, for a fee of 5% per claim.

EMDR is an eight-phase therapy protocol that helps to reduce the intensity of trauma memories and helps us “digest” these memories appropriately, so they can become less disruptive in the present. EMDR has been used to treat PTSD since 1987. We now use EMDR to treat traumas underlying other mental health conditions, too.

While eye movements or other bilateral stimulation help us to “reprocess” in some sessions, we will also use talk therapy and coping strategies throughout.

Progress looks different for each person and the recommended length of treatment may vary. If we find that EMDR is not working for you, that’s okay! This is not the only approach for treating trauma and/or PTSD.

“What is EMDR?”: https://emdrconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/2020-EMDR-Brochure.pdf

EMDR International Association website: https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/

NOTE: EXTENDED EMDR SESSIONS ARE SELF-PAY ONLY.

Extended EMDR sessions consist of the same evidence-based EMDR therapy you would normally receive, with extended time spent in bilateral stimulation (reprocessing trauma memories).

Advantages:

• You are more effective outside of therapy (in your relationships, at work/school) when you’re not managing trauma reactions!

• Due to fewer interruptions during trauma reprocessing, extended sessions can be effective in fewer total clock hours of therapy.

• You may get on with your life more quickly, especially after a single-incident trauma.

• We’re working less with the weekly stressors during this time, which allows us to focus and go deeper in treating your trauma symptoms.

Risks:

• EMDR therapy is a trauma treatment, which means you will face varying levels of discomfort and distress.

• You will also learn coping strategies to handle the distress and ideally learn to trust yourself.

  • Your counselor is there to facilitate your healing, which also means pacing the interventions in certain ways to remain safe.

• You may experience increased discomfort and see increased mental health symptoms in the hours and days after our sessions, due to processing a larger amount of traumatic content.

  • However, you also may feel better! This is different for every body every time.

I recommend extended sessions for current EMDR therapy clients processing a single incident or single concern, OR clients wanting to ‘deep dive’ on one target within our current treatment plan.