Frequently Asked Questions

 

What are Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and prolonged exposure (PE) therapy, and how do you decide which to use?

For more details about ACT and PE, click on the respective links. In short, ACT is the more versatile of the two treatments and for that reason is what I use most often. The therapies can also be used together—I tend to use PE in the context of an ACT framework. Whether I use PE depends on several factors. Some people don’t feel ready for PE, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

During our first session or two, we’ll use written questionnaires and discussion to assess what treatment options might be appropriate for you. I don’t begin treatment without giving you a sense of what it may look like.

For additional information, check out a brief article I wrote on PTSD and avoidance.

How much do you charge? Do you take insurance?

In general, psychotherapy costs $80-175 in the Portland, but many therapists, including myself, are willing to offer discounts depending on an individual’s financial situation.

For me, 50-minute evaluations are $180 and subsequent 50-minute sessions are $140. I do take insurance, although I am not currently on any panels. Feel free to give me a call, and our clinic will look into any out-of-network benefits you may have.

How do I make an appointment?

Click on the Contact Me link.

In addition to trauma, do you work with other problems?

I do. I have a generalist practice. I work with any the issues listed below, as well as other problems that aren’t easily categorized:

• Relationship difficulties
• Depression
• Anxiety, panic attacks, OCD
• Substance abuse, chemical dependency and other addictive-compulsive behaviors
• Chronic pain, chronic illness
• Life Crises
• Female and Male sexual abuse/assault/rape survivors
• Domestic violence
• Affirmative gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender psychotherapy
• Posttraumatic stress disorder
• Hallucinations or delusions
• Dysfunctional family issues
• Codependency