Frequently Asked Questions

I always tell people to shop for a therapist. You want to find someone who fits you! I say that you need to find someone you feel comfortable being uncomfortable with because that is where change occurs.

We will spend the first few sessions really getting to know one another. If either of us find it is not a great fit, we can address what may need to change or discuss referrals. The therapeutic relationship is one of the biggest and most important factors in therapy. It is one of the largest indicators for improvement.

Session cost varies from person to person due to the variety of insurance plans. Your plan may require you to meet a deductible, pay a co pay or co insurance payment. You can call your insurance plan and ask what your "mental health benefits" are to gather that information.

**Please see Insurance tab for more information.**
 

If you do not have insurance or choose to not use it, here are the following cash pay rates:
Initial Assessment (required annually) $175

Individual session $150

Select Health, Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield, EMI, University of Utah Health Plans and United Health Care, and PEHP. I accept medicaid if the mental health is offered under the University of Utah HealthyU or Select Health.

**Please see Insurance tab for more information.**
I do not accept EAP.

I have a client centered, holistic and eclectic approach to therapy, meaning I use several different types of approaches in order to meet each client's unique needs. While I specialize in EMDR, I practice other types of therapy such as CBT, Rogerian, and a little IFS as well as many others.  

Absolutely. When we experience trauma, often times we are experiencing a lot more than just trauma like symptoms. We can experience anxiety, depression, bipolar, ADHD etc. I treat not only the trauma but the other symptoms, diagnosis, or disorders as well. My approach is trauma informed but that does not limit what we discuss or work on in therapy. There is a healthy balance of discussing past, present ad future.

Your first session is an initial assessment where I ask you a lot of questions in order to gain a better understanding of you as a whole and what you are experiencing. We then spend the next several sessions, or more, getting to know you, your symptoms, creating stability and building coping skills. When you and I are both ready, we will discuss moving forward with EMDR/trauma work. 

EMDR is a very different form a therapy then just regular talk therapy. It is structured where you focus on a trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (eye movements or alternating hand vibration). It is the most affective form of trauma therapy to reduce disturbance of the trauma, reprocess and desensitize. It may seem scary, unusual, or different at first but I am with you every step of the way. 

EMDR can treat single event traumas, complex/chronic traumas, or even negative beliefs about yourself. Here are some examples of things we can treat with EMDR: bullying, neglect, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse, anxiety/worries, divorce, narcisstic abuse, experiencing natural disasters, loss/grief, and so much more.

 I do not treat personality disorders, addiction, eating disorders and severe suicidal ideation because these are things I do not specialize in, have enough expertise and/or require a higher level of care.

 I do not have a social media designated for mental health or Safe Haven Trauma Therapy. I believe that each person, each situation, each diagnosis is unique! I rarely believe in black and white type of advice because life is so nuanced. I believe that this type of advice can be harmful rather then helpful. This is why therapy with someone who learns to know your unique world is so essential!