Frequently Asked Questions

My office is inside the perimeter (ITP), almost in Decatur, at 3754 Lavista Road, Suite 200, Tucker.

This office is on the second floor, only accessible by outside stairs. So if you need other accommodations, please let me know, and we’ll figure out the best solution together.

Enter the complex, Northlake Commons, from Lavista Road, directly across from Lavista Crossing apartments. Our building will be directly in front of you, on the left.

The sign on the door reads Compassion Cove Counseling.

Come on in, make yourself comfortable, and I will come out to get you at our appointment time. There is not a receptionist. Help yourself to coffee in the waiting area.

I usually see clients Monday – Thursday during daytime hours. Days and hours vary by location, including telehealth. Contact me to find a time that works for you.

This will be the Intake Form and the Informed Consent forms.

Your initial appointment, called an Intake Evaluation, will last approximately 60 minutes.

Ongoing individual sessions are 50 minutes and usually start on the hour. Longer sessions of 90 or 110 minutes may be scheduled and are recommended in some circumstances.

In this first session, we’ll go over policies, what to expect in therapy, and talk about what’s going on in your life right now that brings you into therapy.

We’ll discuss your history and goals for therapy, and I’ll answer any questions you have.

60-minute Intake Evaluation $175

45-50 minute Individual Sessions $150

90 minutes $225

110 minutes $300 (double session)

EMDR Intensives – billed at hourly rate (3-8 hours)

Our office accepts all forms of plastic – Credit, Debit, HSA, Flex Spending, etc. We’ll keep the card number on file, and future sessions will be charged to your card prior to your appointment.

I am an out-of-network provider with insurance companies.

If you wish to use out-of-network benefits, your payment is due at the time of service. Then you may seek reimbursement from your insurance company according to your benefits.

Insurance will only pay claims for mental health disorders that are impacting your functioning. Insurance companies may limit the number of sessions they will pay.

If you plan to file for out-of-network reimbursement, please let me know.

We will discuss diagnosis code(s), and I will email you a monthly superbill, which is the documentation insurance companies need to evaluate your claim.

It will come from Compassion Cove Counseling, with my name listed as the therapist providing services.

Call, text, or email. Please be sure to leave your name, phone number, and a few specific times that you will be available.

I’ll call you back or email within 24 hours to arrange a short phone consultation. There is no fee for this phone consultation, and it will last about 15 minutes.

Appointment changes or cancellations need to be made more than 24 hours in advance of your appointment, not including holidays and weekends.

The appointment time is reserved especially for you, so any changes within 24 hours will be charged the full appointment fee.

I primarily see adults individually. All genders are welcome. I am LGBTQ+ affirming.

I am not currently taking additional couples clients but will help you find a couples therapist if needed.

I enjoy working with adolescents; however, my after-school appointments are all full at this time. If you cannot accommodate M-F daytime hours for your teen, I would be happy to help you find a therapist that fits your needs.

Ahh, an age-old question! Yes… and no…

Yes, in the sense that I will ask you to practice things between sessions, to begin using the skills you are learning and have some tools in your toolkit. I may also suggest books to read or listen to on audio. If you’re the type who likes a to-do list, you can definitely make one.

But the answer is also no in the sense that whatever you choose to do between sessions is up to you. I’ll let you know why I’m recommending certain things, but the choice is always yours – and I’m not grading your performance.

I also appreciate you telling me what you like, don’t like, and why so that I can tailor suggestions to YOU!

I earned my Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Mercer University in Atlanta, GA. I completed practicum and internship in eating disorder treatment at Walden Behavioral Care. I have worked in residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient eating disorder treatment.

I have ongoing eating disorder training through Walden, other treatment providers, and professional organizations.

I completed both parts of EMDR training with case consultation. I have also completed advanced EMDR training in attachment and to work with groups/families, children, and with individuals immediately after crisis and in ongoing traumatic situations.

I’m currently in ongoing consultation for the purpose of EMDR certification, working with dissociative disorders and complex trauma.

I frequently attend training in methods of therapy, as well as training for specific needs that clients may have.

I’m currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Georgia.

Not at all, even the slightest bit. Your spiritual preferences or lack thereof are yours and yours alone, and I hold that in high regard. Many people come to me with bad experiences in their past from organized religion and don’t want to include spirituality at all in our work. That’s okay.

I also work with clients of different faiths and welcome the diversity in my practice.

Come as you are. Say what you need and want to say. We’ll be respectful of each other, but you don’t have to “clean up” to come to therapy.

I’d like to get to know you just as you are.

Sure, bring in drinks if you want. Lids are best, but they’re not a requirement. We have coffee in our waiting area. If you need water, just ask. Generally, snacks are fine, too. If it’s mealtime and you’re hungry or you missed a meal, eat.

Your brain will think better with some nourishment! It will be more difficult to eat in sessions when we’re processing with EMDR or some other types of therapy, but we’ll figure it out as we go.

Sorry, that’s a no-go. Our office is smoke and vape free.