Your Questions, Answered

  • You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. Many people come to therapy when they feel stuck, overwhelmed, or simply want support navigating life changes. If something in your life isn’t working the way you’d like, therapy can be a helpful space to explore it.

  • Therapy is a collaborative and supportive process. In our work together, you can expect a space that is respectful, nonjudgmental, and tailored to your unique needs and goals. Early sessions often focus on understanding what brings you to therapy, your history, current stressors, and what you hope to change or strengthen.

    Over time, therapy may involve building coping skills, increasing self-awareness, processing past experiences, and developing healthier ways of relating to yourself and others. Your comfort level and priorities help guide the pace and focus of our work.

    You don’t need to have everything figured out before you begin -therapy is a place to explore, reflect, and gain understanding.

    Healing is a gradual process, and your progress will be honored at a pace that feels right for you.

  • What happens in the first session?
    The first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other. We’ll talk about what brings you to therapy, your history, and what you hope to gain from the process. You’ll also have space to ask questions and get a sense of whether working together feels like a good fit.

  • Sessions are typically 55 minutes. Most patients begin by attending weekly or biweekly, particularly when working through trauma, mood concerns, or ongoing life stressors. Over time, the frequency of sessions can be adjusted based on your needs, goals, and progress.

  • Yes. I offer both in-person sessions and secure telehealth therapy.

    In-person sessions take place at my office in Durham, conveniently located near Highway 40.

    Telehealth sessions are available for patients throughout North Carolina and are conducted through a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform. This allows you to attend therapy from the comfort and privacy of your home.

  • My self-pay rate is $150 per session.

    If you have questions about insurance coverage or self-pay options, I’m happy to talk through what may be the best fit for your needs.

  • Yes. I currently accept the following insurance plans:

    • Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) (excluding Blue Home and Blue Value plans)

    • Aetna

    • Cigna and Evernorth

    • Medicare

    • Medicare BCBS Advantage Plans

    • Medicare Humana Advantage Plans

    I work with a billing specialist to verify benefits ahead of time whenever possible.

    If your insurance is not listed here, you may still qualify for out-of-network reimbursement through your insurance provider. In those cases, I can provide a superbill that you may submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement.

    If you have questions about insurance or payment options, please feel free to reach out. I'm happy to work with you to explore options that help keep therapy accessible.

  • My office is located in Durham, North Carolina, at 3326 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd., conveniently situated near Highway 40 and easily accessible from surrounding communities including Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, and the greater Triangle area.

Trauma Therapy FAQ

  • Trauma therapy is a specialized form of therapy that helps individuals process and heal from experiences that have overwhelmed their ability to cope. Trauma can arise from many different experiences, including single events, ongoing stress, relational wounds, or situations that may not appear “traumatic” from the outside but have had a lasting emotional impact.

    This work focuses on helping you feel safer in your body and mind, reducing distressing symptoms, and restoring a sense of control, meaning, and connection.

    I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), both evidence-based treatments for trauma and PTSD.

    Trauma therapy is not about reliving the past—it’s about changing how the past continues to show up in the present.

  • EMDR is an evidence-based therapy that helps the brain process traumatic memories so they become less emotionally intense and disruptive. It does not require detailed verbal retelling of traumatic events and often feels less overwhelming than traditional talk therapy.

    EMDR works with the nervous system’s natural capacity for healing, allowing difficult memories to be integrated rather than repeatedly re-experienced.

  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a structured, evidence-based treatment that helps individuals identify and challenge unhelpful beliefs related to trauma. It explores how traumatic experiences may have shaped the way you view yourself, others, and the world.

    Through this process, CPT supports you in developing more balanced, flexible, and compassionate perspectives.

    Through this process, many people find they are able to release self-blame, reduce feelings of guilt or shame, and develop more balanced and compassionate perspectives.

  • Trauma therapy is not:

    • Being forced to talk about details before you feel ready

    • Reliving traumatic experiences without support or structure

    • Being judged for how you responded or coped

    • A one-size-fits-all process

    • Something that happens on a fixed timeline

    Your safety, autonomy, and readiness are always prioritized.

    Trauma therapy moves at a pace that honors your nervous system and your sense of control.

  • If past experiences continue to affect your mood, relationships, sense of safety, or ability to feel present, trauma therapy may be helpful—even if you’re unsure whether what you experienced “counts” as trauma.

    Together, we can explore your experiences and determine the approach that best supports your needs.