My work in the field of counseling began in 1992 and I have been a clinician in practice for over 25 years. I specialize in helping clients work through trauma, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, and supporting them on their journey to improved balance in life. My therapeutic approach is person centered. I work closely with clients to help them connect with their values, gain personal insight, understanding and self-compassion. With a trauma-informed mindset, I strive to create a safe and therapeutic environment. This entails a blend of treatment interventions designed to best match individual needs. I draw inspiration from the work of colleagues like: Brene Brown, Bessel Van der Kolk, Gabor Mate, Alfred Adler, Carl Rogers, and Carl Jung. These individuals are leaders in the field of counseling and therapy. They are the inspiration that has helped build my foundation for an enduring and balanced practice.

My counseling background includes work with adults, college students, children and families, couples, Military Personnel, Veterans, and their families, as well as disabled adults. In my current work, I focus on helping individuals rebuild a foundation from which to grow from. Because I am a firm believer in the power of yoga, self-reflection, and meditation; when appropriate, I weave Eastern Philosophies into treatment. For example, the body holds trauma in seven main body parts (pelvis, diaphragm, throat, jaw, hamstrings, shoulders, and neck). With the application of some yoga, meditation, and mindful attention, we can help the body release underlying trapped feelings so that healing can begin.

I also have over 10 years of administrative experience in supervision of counseling programs and clinical practitioners. I have a fondness for teaching and supporting therapists in training, and welcome supervision opportunities.

 

+ Qualifications

  • 25 Years in Clinical Practice

  • New York State License #003307-1

  • Florida State License #MH21265

  • National Board for Certified Counselor #44813

  • Member ACA American Counseling Association

  • Member National Yoga Alliance

Education

  • University of Rochester Warner Graduate School of Education and Human Development
  • Master’s Degree in Community Agency Counseling
  • Nazareth College of Rochester
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
  • Open Sky Yoga, Essential Teacher Training 200 hours,
  • Relax and Renew, Restorative Yoga Teacher Training Level 1

Trainings and Interventions

  • Family Based Treatment, Anne Sherman & Gina Palazzo
  • Structural Family Therapy, Anne Sherman & Gina Palazzo
  • Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Anne Sherman & Gina Palazzo
  • Family Therapy, Cybil Baldwin
  • Narrative Therapy-Michael White
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy-University of Rochester
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, University of Rochester
  • Psychiatric Medications, Marion Fitzsimmons
  • Sex Addiction, Trauma & Treatment, Patrick Carnes
  • Sexual Abuse Dynamics and Intervention Training-Fordham University
  • Understanding the Gut Brain: Stress, Appetite, Digestion, and Mood, Lisa Goehler Ph.D.
  • Treating Six Forms of Anxiety, Martin Anthony Ph.D.

Trauma

  • Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Edna Foa
  • Trauma Systems Therapy, Glenn Saxe
  • Structuring Trauma Treatment- The Fairy Tale Model, Ricky Greenwald
  • Vicarious Trauma-Compassion Fatigue, Ellen Hayes
  • Effective Crisis Response, Ellen Hayes
  • The Truth about Trauma and Dissociation; Part I &II, Dr Valerie Sinason

Yoga Therapy Trainings

  • Yoga and Mindfulness Interventions for Trauma and Anxiety in Children and Adolescents, Melissa Kleinman
  • Anatomy in Clay 1-2-3, Laura Antelmi
  • Life Force Yoga, Empower Your Clients to Match Their Mood, Amy Weintraub

Adolescent Interventions

  • Reality Therapy, William Glasser
  • Juvenile Fire Setting, Rochester Fire Department
  • Adolescent Substance Abuse, Mark Head
  • Truancy & School Refusal, Michele Potter

Military Related Trainings

  • Military Cultural Training, USDVA
  • PTSD 101, USDVA
  • Working with Voices, OMH
  • Resiliency and PTSD Training for Families of Veterans, USDVA
  • Understanding Life with Brain Injury, Unity Health
  • Traumatic Brain Injury, Dr. Szekeres
  • Trauma Informed Care: Working with the Neurobiological Legacy of Trauma, J. Fisher
  • Trauma Informed Care, Eve Gotham
  • Effective Strategies for working with Justice Involved Veterans with Behavioral Health Needs, SAHMSA

Supervision and Management

  • Schulman’s Interactive Supervision, Shirley Sharp
  • Criticism and Discipline for Managers, Career Track
  • Creative Leadership for Managers, Supervisors, and Team Leaders, Career Track
  • Leadership Training-Module One, Navigating Conduct &Performance Challenges-Module Two
  • Leadership Development, Batiste Leadership

+ Rates

Free 15 min. phone consultation

  • Individual cost per session: $135, intake $155 (CPT Code 90837)
  • Couples cost per session: $145/hr, intake $165
  • Sliding Scale and 20% Veteran Discount available to Veteran and Veteran families on a case-by-case basis
  • Clinical supervision for LMHC: $100/hour

+ Payment

  • Credit card payments are accepted. Invoice is sent before session and receipt is sent after session is complete.
  • An active credit card must be maintained on file, with payment due at the time of service.

+ Cancellation policy

In order to best serve all of my clients, I need 24 hours notifications if you are not able to make your appointment. If you have not notified me at least 24 hours in advance, you will be required to pay the full cost of the session, as that hour was reserved for you. Exceptions to this can include weather and some illnesses; I try to be very fair with this policy because my clients are typically very fair with me.

+ Insurance

In the State of New York, in network with Optum, Aetna, Cigna

In the State of Florida, in network with Optum, Aetna, Cigna

With in-network insurance, I bill insurance and client pays their co-pay at time of session.

Clients who self-pay with other insurance providers will receive a monthly completed insurance form (“superbill”) to file for reimbursement after session fee is paid up front. This method allows me to provide the highest standard of care for a maximum number of clients.

If you would like to file for insurance reimbursement on your own, please contact your insurance company to learn:

  • Do you have in or out of network coverage for mental health benefits?
  • What is your deductible amount?
  • What is your reimbursement rate?
  • How many sessions per calendar year does your plan cover?
  • Is there a limit on how much your provider will pay per session?
  • Is approval from your primary care physician required?

I realize financial considerations are a major component when choosing a counselor. I am happy to answer any specific questions you have, and I am willing to provide all necessary documentation toward reimbursement.