Frequently Asked Questions

Talking about sex is really awkward for me. Is this right for me?

Most of my clients feel this way when they first reach out. We start where you are, moving at a pace that feels manageable for your system. Many clients find that just having someone who isn't uncomfortable with these topics creates the safety they need to gradually open up.
That said, our work doesn’t have to be explicitly about sex. It can be understanding what's been making your relationship feel so complicated, working with the parts of you that protect through avoidance or shutdown, and building the capacity to have honest conversations about what you need.

What's the difference between sex therapy and couples therapy?

We're far from working on the "sex piece.” Are we in the right place?

Absolutely. We'll move at your pace and focus on what feels most pressing. Some of the most important work happens before we ever explicitly discuss sex. Sometimes the “sex piece” naturally resolves once other areas shift.

I’m credentialed in EMDR and IFS (Internal Family Systems), as well as trained in IFIO (Intimacy from the Inside Out, an IFS-based modality) which means I can help you communicate more effectively, understand each other's inner worlds, regulate your nervous systems and update your body’s responses so that you can repair trust, develop a stronger connection, and feel confident that you can both get your needs met. 

What if we just need help with our relationship, not sex specifically?

That's completely fine—and actually really common. Many couples come in to work on issues like resentment about the mental load, feeling unheard, or struggling to fit into each other's social lives. Sex never becomes the main focus.

Sometimes sexual concerns emerge as relationship dynamics improve (or vice versa), but there's no requirement to discuss sex explicitly if that's not what's needed. I use IFS (Internal Family Systems) and IFIO (Intimacy from the Inside Out) to unpack nervous system responses, communication breakdowns, and beliefs that keep your relationship from running smoothly as you’d like. 

I’m engaging in a behavior I’m scared to talk about — will therapy force me to admit everything or stop right away?

Absolutely not. Many people come to me while living in two worlds — the relationship they care about, and a private set of behaviors they don’t fully understand or feel ready to discuss. Therapy is a place to explore this safely. We look at why the behavior is happening, what part of you it serves, and what you need in order to feel grounded and whole.

I take a harm-reduction approach: no judgment, no ultimatums, no moralizing.

My job is to help you understand yourself better and feel more aligned in your actions, not to push you into anything you’re not ready for or interested in.

What if my issue isn't about sex—is this still relevant?

Do you take Insurance?

I’m an out-of-network provider and can provide a superbill for PPO reimbursement. Many clients receive partial coverage. This approach gives us more flexibility— By working outside those systems, we have the freedom to create a therapeutic space that is private, flexible, holistic, and tailored to your personal goals — not just a set of symptoms.

Do you work with individuals or just couples?

I know we need therapy but my partner is resistant. What should I do?

This is really common. Often one partner recognizes the need for support while the other is hesitant, skeptical, or overwhelmed by the idea of therapy.

Here's what you can do:

Start individually if needed. Working on your own blocks, boundaries, and communication can shift the dynamic—and sometimes seeing your partner engage in their own growth makes therapy feel less threatening.

Frame it as working on the relationship, not fixing a person. If your partner feels like they're being labeled “the problem,” resistance is natural. Emphasize that you want support navigating this together, not determining who's right or wrong.

Offer a consultation call first. I offer a free 15-minute discovery call where your partner can ask questions, get a sense of how I work, and decide if it feels like a fit—without committing to ongoing sessions.

Share what you're hoping for. Instead of "We need therapy,” try “I want us to feel more connected” or “I want to understand what's been making this so hard for both of us.” Therapy becomes a tool toward something you both want, not a mandate.

If your partner remains resistant, individual work can still create meaningful change—and sometimes that's what eventually opens the door for couples work down the line.

How long does therapy typically take?

This is long-term, depth work—not a quick fix. Most clients I work with stay for several months to a few years, depending on their goals and what we're addressing.

Some people come in during a crisis (infidelity, major relationship decision) and work intensively for a shorter period. Others recognize patterns they've carried for years and want sustained support as they build new ways of relating.

I don't believe in rushing this work. Intimacy challenges are often rooted in nervous system responses, family dynamics, and protective patterns that took years to develop—they need time and safety to shift. We move at your pace.

Do you accept insurance?

I don’t work with insurance providers. This allows our work to stay completely confidential and tailored to your needs, without limits on the kind of support, pace, or depth that’s possible. Many clients find this gives them greater flexibility and privacy in the process.

What does a typical session look like?

Is everything I share confidential?

Yes, with standard legal exceptions (risk of harm to self/others, child or elder abuse, court orders).

In couples therapy, I hold what's shared in individual sessions as confidential unless we agree otherwise. My goal is to create a space where both partners can be honest without fear that everything said will be repeated or used against them.

For individual clients, your work with me is completely private.