What are Consultations?

In a nutshell, Consultations are 1:1 solution-oriented conversations that offer practical support and guidance for life’s challenges, minus the commitment to ongoing therapy. Provided by an experienced therapist, these sessions can help you handle problems and struggles in any area of your life, including relationships/family, work/career, health/well-being, and overall stress, with a focus on tools, strategies and resources you can use in your life right away. For a list of the types of problems Consultations can help with, click here.

 

They’re therapeutic but different than traditional therapy in both focus and format. They’re standalone sessions, scheduled as needed and promptly, (usually within a few days,) on your timeline and at your convenience. You can choose the length of the session and whether to have just one, a few in a row on a short-term basis, or periodically when a difficult situation arises. For more about my flexible approach, click here.

 

I’m a believer that meaningful conversations can change everything! After our conversation, not only will you have greater perspective and clarity on realistic and workable next steps to handle the situation you’re struggling with, you’ll also feel fully understood, like someone’s in your corner, and you’re not alone in figuring things out.

 

For a "menu" of how you might use Consultations, click here.

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Who are Consultations for?

Adults 20 and older in Maine. I work 1:1 only, not with couples, families or groups.

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Consultations are great for people who:

• are facing a problem, challenge, or stressor and want some professional, solution-oriented support and guidance to help them sort things out, think things through, and figure out what to do next.

• want to learn (or brush up on) skills, tools, strategies, and resources to address issues in any area of their life, to deal with stress, and to build overall well-being.

• are uncertain about or not currently needing traditional, ongoing, or long-term therapy, but want personalized support and guidance, as needed, when they need it.

• want therapy but are having difficulty finding the type of therapy or a therapist who's a good fit for them, or are on someone's wait list.

• want periodic, proactive and preventive support to handle life's ups and downs, kind of like a check-up for their psychological well-being or a "reset" to head toward their goals.

• want help navigating, making sense of, and personalizing the self-help and personal growth/development content they're reading or listening to.

 

I'm having difficulty finding a therapist (or...I'm on someone's wait list). Can you help?

Yes! Because I can schedule people quickly, usually within a few days of their inquiry, people who are trying to find a therapist, are on a therapist's wait list, or are unsure what they need, find it helpful to meet with me. By the time you reach out to get support, you are ready to get started and it can be frustrating to make a bunch of calls/emails only to find therapists that aren't taking new clients or have a wait list. You can meet with me for a Consultation, we can talk through your current problem or challenge and get you started in learning some strategies and tools. I can help you get focused on what you want to work on in therapy so you'll be ready to go when you get your first appointment with your new therapist. Having worked as a therapist for 17 years, I know how to navigate the therapy landscape as well as other resources that might be helpful, and I try to stay up to date on what therapists or group practices have openings, so I can help you decide on the right type of therapy (or other service) for you, and get you pointed in the right direction toward a therapist that might be a good fit for you.

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Do you offer Consultations in person? Where are they held?

Consultations are held remotely only, via phone or video call. I usually say, "from the comfort of your own home" but you can choose to be any place you're comfortable and have some good internet or cell service—and privacy—for the call. (I only do Consultations with people located in Maine.)

 

How does it work (what's the process)?

Contact me and we’ll schedule a free 10-minute phone call to clarify if a Consultation is the right thing for you, and then we’ll schedule your Consultation, usually within a few days. You choose the length of the session and whether you want to have it via phone or video call. Find out more about how it all works here.

 

Does health insurance cover the cost?

No. Consultations are not eligible for health insurance coverage, but I aim to make them affordable with my flexible pricing approach—you choose the length of the session, how many you attend and how often, and you schedule as-needed, so it's not an ongoing expense. Read more info about this topic here.

 

How much do Consultations cost?

Consultations are reasonably-priced and you can choose the length of your session based on your budget and preferences. You can also choose to have just one, a few in a row on a short-term basis, or periodic sessions when tough situations come up. Therefore, the fees are not a regular expense and you choose how much to spend on Consultations. The least expensive option is $60, but you can find all the fee options here.

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Do you provide regular therapy/counseling any more?

No, not at this time. Although I am a licensed clinical professional counselor and have the qualifications to provide psychotherapy, I've shifted away from clinical counseling and now offer only Consultations.

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If I already know you personally or professionally, can I work with you as a Consultant?

The short answer is: It depends.

The longer answer is: Even though I don’t offer counseling at this time, I still adhere to the ethics codes of the counseling profession in my role as a Consultant, and something called ‘dual relationships’ can come into play when working with people that I know in a different capacity. Dual relationships, where a client is also a friend, family member, business associate, or has another connection with me, are carefully considered and often avoided in order to best serve my clients. During Consultations, we’ll likely be talking about personal or private information about your life, and we’d need to determine if working together in a Consultant-Client capacity would serve you best based on our existing relationship, your comfort level, and whether I’d be able to maintain appropriate boundaries, objectivity, and focus on your well-being. Contact me and we can discuss your individual situation.

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Are Consultations a replacement for therapy?

No, they're not a replacement for therapy. They're another option for people who don't want or need therapy (or aren't sure if they do). They're distinct from psychotherapy/clinical counseling in a number of ways and are not a substitute for any other kind of mental health care or substance abuse treatment. If you need help with a mental health condition, you will be best served by engaging in psychotherapy/clinical counseling. You can read more about what Consultations are not here, and find out more about the differences between Consultations and therapy here.