FAQs
Do you do CBT (cognitive behavioral counseling)?
Yes.
Do you do counseling for trauma?
Yes.
Do you do counseling for couples who are separating?
Yes.
Do you provide family counseling?
Yes, but only for the members of family that consent to it.
Do you use the Emotional Freedom Technique?
No. You may be confused because I use Emotionally Focused Therapy. They are both called “EFT.”
Do you offer Christian counseling?
I am very interested in the role of faith in your life, however I do not lead or guide from any faith perspective.
Do you do substance abuse counseling?
Yes.
Do you counsel gay/lesbian couples?
Yes.
Do you prescribe medications?
No. I’d be happy to refer you to a clinician who does, if you would like to add medication management to your counseling.
Ok. My last therapist really pushed me to take meds. How do you feel about medications?
I’m agnostic. Medications help many people, but they present their own sets of problems. However, I’m a counselor: I focus on using counseling to help people deal with things. I won’t either push you or discourage you from using meds.
How do I contact you?
You can contact me via phone and email. You are encouraged to contact me at any time. You can call me by telephone (703-771-4041), and if I’m not available I will return voice mail messages as soon as I can. Please be advised that I will bill you for all but brief communication at my hourly rate. You can also contact me by email at [email protected]. Please be aware that email is not a secure form of communication.
How often should I come to counseling?
Typical counseling frequency is once a week. In special circumstances, or if we have been working together for some time, I may agree to see you less frequently than weekly. If I believe you are in crisis, I will probably recommend meeting more frequently than once a week. I sometimes counsel clients who are not in crisis more frequently than once a week when the client wants to work intensively in counseling.
How long does counseling last?
The average is probably about 12-18 sessions, but the variation is great. Basically, counseling should last as long as it is helpful to you, and not any longer. It’s something we will decide together. I have clients who get what they need in one session, and others who see me for years.
What If I see you outside of your office?
If we happen to see each other outside the counseling office, I will not acknowledge I know you unless you initiate an exchange. This is to protect your confidentiality. If you do initiate a greeting I will of course respond, but I will keep the pleasantries brief, and I will not introduce you to people I may be with. I’m not trying to be rude; I’m trying to protect you and our counseling relationship.
Can I friend you on Facebook?
I will not respond to social media contacts. This is to protect your confidentiality and our counseling relationship.
Isn’t counseling a sign of weakness?
Asking a stranger for help is one of the most courageous things I’ve seen a person do.
My husband/wife/child really needs some help. Will you see him/her?
Sure! Just have them contact me and I will get things started.
Well, they don’t really believe they need counseling.
I see. Sounds like they don’t consent to counseling, then.
Oh, they don’t have a choice. I told him/her I will divorce/ground/kick them out of they house if they don’t go to counseling.
That doesn’t fit my definition of “consent.” I will be happy to refer you to somebody else though.
Will you consult with my psychiatrist/couples therapist/individual therapist/spouse/parent?
Maybe, if you want me to. We’ll talk about it.
What would you say is the one most important thing I can do to make my counseling successful?
I’ll give you two. First: question your thoughts. Second: trust your emotions.
I don’t want you to tell me what to do.
You’ve come to the right place.
I do want you to tell me what to do.
Will you really do it?