What to know before getting started

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  • Your first session will be a time for us to get to know each other and start building rapport. It’s completely normal to feel unsure or nervous, so we want you to know that you can share as little or as much as you’re comfortable with. We’ll discuss your reasons for seeking therapy, explore any challenges you’re facing, and start to set goals for our work together.

  • We utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), an evidence-based approach that helps clients understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. We practice from a Christian worldview with client permission, integrating Biblical principles to support clients’ emotional and spiritual growth.

  • Feeling nervous about starting therapy is perfectly natural. You don’t have to have everything figured out right away. Therapy is a process, and your therapist is here to support you, not judge you. If you're feeling anxious, share that with me! You and your therapist will work together to make the process feel as comfortable as possible. Remember, you can take your time, share as little or as much as you want, and we’ll build trust.

  • Therapy sessions typically last 50 to 60 minutes. The frequency of your sessions will depend on your individual needs and goals, but most people attend once a week or once every two weeks to start. As you make progress, your therapist may adjust the frequency to suit your needs and/or wants. Ultimately, the schedule is flexible and can be tailored to fit your personal circumstances and treatment plan.

  • Individual sessions are $100. We currently accept Aetna insurance. As of right now 7/26/26, we are still on the waitlist to accept BCBS and UnitedHealthcare. We submit out-of-network claims for clients who have out-of-network benefits, so you don’t have to.

  • For scheduling or billing inquiries, you may contact us via email or text between sessions. However, to protect your privacy and ensure HIPAA compliance, we cannot provide care through email or text. If you need to discuss clinical matters, please schedule a session. In case of an emergency, please call 988 or text 741-741 for crisis support.

  • If you’re in crisis or need immediate help, please call 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or text 741741 for the Crisis Text Line. These resources are available 24/7 for urgent support. If you are in a life-threatening emergency, dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

    If you're struggling with thoughts of self-harm, suicide, or are in crisis, please don’t hesitate to call 988 or text 741741 for immediate confidential support. You do not have to face this alone. There is help available. Parents, you can reach out to these helplines for support in guiding your child through crisis as well. Other resources are listed below. 

    CRISIS RESOURCES

    - In an emergency, call 911, or go to your nearest emergency room. 

    - Spartanburg Area Mental Health Center (SAMHC) 

    Crisis Line: 1‑800‑277‑1366 

    sparmhc.org

    - South Carolina Mobile Crisis 

    Call: 833-364-2274 osp.scdmh.org

    - Need to vent? Crisis Text Line:  Text “HOPE4SC” to 741741

    - National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 

    - Local inpatient care: 

    https://thecarolinacenter.com/admissions/ 

    24/7 call number: 864-235-2335

    - Victims of domestic violence or sexual assault 

    P.R.O.J.E.C.T Rest 

    24-hour hotline: (864) 583-9803 or (800) 273-5066 

    Email info@projectrest.org

  • We accept a variety of payment options, including credit/debit cards and other secure online payment methods. After your session, your payment will be processed at midnight that day. You may request an invoice for your records. Super bills are sent automatically to all clients. If you are using out-of-network benefits, we will submit those for you.

  • If you need to cancel or reschedule a session, we ask that you provide at least 24 hours' notice to avoid a cancellation fee. If you miss a session without prior notice, the full session fee will apply. If you cancel within the 24 hour time-frame, a 50% of the session fee will apply. Your time is valuable, and I want to be respectful of your schedule and others who may need to book an appointment.

  • Yes, therapy is confidential. We adhere to strict privacy standards and HIPAA regulations to protect your personal information. Anything you share with your clinician in therapy remains between you and them, unless you give permission to share it or if there’s a concern about your safety. For minors, we’ll work with parents to keep them informed in an appropriate manner while maintaining your confidentiality.

  • You’ll likely begin to notice small changes, like shifts in how you respond to stress or changes in how you think about challenges. Your therapist will check in with you regularly to assess progress and adjust our approach as needed. Your feedback is key, so you and your therapist will work together to ensure that therapy is helping you meet your goals.

  • If you ever feel that you and your therapist are not a good fit, please let them know. The therapeutic relationship is built on trust and comfort, so it’s important that you feel at ease. If your therapist is not the right therapist for you, we can help you find someone who better meets your needs. We have a referral list that we can look at together to make sure that you are able to continue treatment with someone at our practice or another practice. We’re here to help.

  • That’s okay! Many clients come to therapy without knowing exactly what they need help with. Your clinician will explore what’s going on in your life, and over time, you will work together to identify specific goals and areas you want to focus on. Therapy is a collaborative process, and we are here to guide you through it.

General

About Kids and Teens

  • During your child's first session, we will spend some time speaking with the parent alone to gather more background information and discuss any specific concerns. Then, we will meet with the child on their own to create a comfortable space where they can talk freely. The goal of the first session is to make sure your child feels heard, respected, and supported while starting to lay the foundation for the work we’ll do together in future sessions.

  • We welcome parents to be involved in their child or teen’s therapy journey. During initial sessions, parents are often invited to participate to help provide important background information, share concerns, and discuss goals for treatment. As therapy progresses, some sessions may also be held privately with your child or teen. Especially for adolescents, having a confidential space to express their thoughts and feelings can help them feel more comfortable opening up and engaging in the therapeutic process.

    We will work collaboratively with parents by providing appropriate updates, discussing progress, and addressing concerns while maintaining the level of confidentiality needed to support effective therapy.

  • Confidentiality is an important part of creating a safe and trusting therapeutic environment for anyone. When children and teens know they have a space where they can express their thoughts, emotions, and experiences openly, they are often more willing to engage in therapy and work through challenges honestly. While this is true, we will communicate general progress, treatment goals, and any important concerns while also protecting the trust needed for therapy to be effective. Parents are an important part of a child’s support system, and we value working together to help your child grow. If safety concerns arise, we will always communicate the necessary information and work with parents to support their child’s well-being.

  • It’s common for children and teens to feel resistant to therapy, especially at first. We recommend talking with your child about the benefits of therapy in a positive and supportive way. For teens, we give them the space to process and make their own decisions, helping them feel more in control of the process. If needed, we can provide strategies to help ease the transition and make therapy feel more approachable.

  • To support your child’s progress, create a safe and open environment where they feel comfortable expressing themselves. Encourage them to share what they’re learning, but avoid prying, ask open-ended questions and let them know you're there for them when they're ready to talk. Reinforce any new skills they’re practicing, and be patient, as progress can take time.

  • With your permission, we can collaborate with your child’s school to ensure they receive additional support, such as addressing school-related stress, social challenges, or behavioral concerns. We can work with school counselors, teachers, or administrators to provide recommendations for accommodations or resources that could support your child’s mental health and well-being.

  • To ensure a successful therapy session, it's important to create a quiet, private space where your child can feel comfortable and focused. Choose a room where they won’t be interrupted, with the door closed for added privacy. If possible, have them sit with their back to the door to avoid distractions. Using headphones can help them focus and block out background noise. Please make sure no one else is present in the room during the session to maintain confidentiality and allow your child to speak freely. Creating this kind of space helps set the tone for a productive and supportive session.

  • Yes, online therapy can be very beneficial for kids 10+ and teens, and many actually feel more comfortable participating in therapy from home. For some, the familiar, private environment of their own space can reduce anxiety and make them feel more at ease, allowing them to open up more freely. While online therapy can sometimes feel less personal than in-person sessions, we use interactive and age-appropriate techniques to keep kids and teens engaged, making it an effective alternative when set up properly. It is recommended that children and teens use headphones or earbuds and are in a quiet, private space.

  • For children, we encourage activities like drawing or coloring while talking, which helps them focus and feel comfortable. For teens, we might suggest doing a calming hobby during sessions, like knitting, drawing, painting, making bracelets, to help them stay relaxed and open. We also incorporate visual tools, such as worksheets (which can be printed if parents have access), videos, and books, to make sessions more dynamic. By sharing the screen, we can work through activities and materials together in real-time, creating an interactive and engaging experience. Our goal is to ensure that therapy is both productive and enjoyable, while helping your child or teen stay connected to the process.

Virtual

  • You'll receive a secure link to a video platform before each session. You can join the session directly from your computer, tablet, or smartphone. No special software is required; just a stable internet connection.

  • Yes! Research shows that virtual therapy can be just as effective as in-person sessions for many people. It provides the same therapeutic benefits while offering the added convenience of being at home or another comfortable location.