Frequently Asked Questions
Everything You Need to Know Before Starting Therapy
Taking the first step toward therapy can feel overwhelming, and it's natural to have questions. Below are answers to some of the most common questions about virtual therapy, insurance, and what you can expect at Haven Bridge Counseling & Wellness.
Do you offer virtual therapy?
Yes! All therapy sessions are provided through a secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform. Virtual therapy allows you to receive high-quality care from the comfort and privacy of your own home.
Who do you work with?
I work with adults (18+) and couples throughout Illinois who are experiencing:
Anxiety and chronic stress
Trauma and PTSD
Chronic insomnia and sleep difficulties
ADHD and executive functioning challenges
Women's mental health concerns
Perimenopause
Burnout
Caregiver stress
Cancer and chronic illness
Relationship challenges
Grief and loss
Life transitions
What issues do you specialize in?
I specialize in helping adults and couples experiencing:
Anxiety
Trauma & PTSD
Chronic insomnia (CBT-I)
Adult ADHD
Women's mental health
Relationship and communication challenges
Burnout
Cancer and chronic illness
Caregiver support
Grief
Major life transitions
My goal is to help you build practical coping skills, strengthen relationships, improve emotional well-being, restore balance, and create lasting change.
Do you offer couples therapy?
Yes. I work with couples who want to strengthen their relationship, improve communication, rebuild trust, navigate life transitions, or reconnect emotionally.
Couples therapy can help with:
Communication difficulties
Frequent conflict
Parenting stress
Intimacy concerns
Life transitions
Infidelity recovery
Blended family challenges
Caregiving stress
Rebuilding trust
Strengthening emotional connection
Whether you're working through a difficult season or simply want to improve your relationship, therapy provides a supportive space to grow together.
What therapy approaches do you use?
Every person and every relationship is unique, so therapy is tailored to your individual needs rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
Depending on your goals, treatment may include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)* (currently completing advanced training)
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Somatic Therapy Techniques
Mindfulness-Based Approaches
Psychoeducation & Skill Building
Trauma-Informed Care
Together, we'll develop a personalized treatment plan designed to help you build resilience, strengthen relationships, improve emotional well-being, and create meaningful, lasting change.
What is CBT-I?
CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia) is the gold-standard, evidence-based treatment for chronic insomnia. It helps improve sleep by addressing the thoughts, behaviors, and habits that interfere with restful sleep—without relying solely on medication.
What can I expect during my first appointment?
Your first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another.
We'll discuss:
What brings you to therapy
Your current concerns
Your personal history
Your goals
Questions you may have
Together, we'll begin creating a personalized treatment plan that feels right for you.
How long are therapy sessions?
Most individual therapy sessions are 53–55 minutes.
Couples sessions may be scheduled for 55-60 minutes, depending on your needs and treatment goals.
How often will we meet?
Most clients begin with weekly sessions to build momentum and establish progress. As goals are met, sessions may transition to every other week or monthly based on your needs.
Do you accept insurance?
Illinois
Currently accepting:
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois
Aetna
Medicare
Self-pay appointments are also available.
Sliding-scale appointments may be offered on a limited basis. Please contact me for current availability.
Do I need to know which type of therapy I need?
Not at all.
You don't need to know whether CBT, EMDR, CPT, or another approach is best for you. After learning about your goals and experiences, I'll recommend the treatment approach—or combination of approaches—that best fits your needs.
I've never been to therapy. Is that okay?
Absolutely.
Many clients are nervous before their first appointment. My goal is to provide a welcoming, compassionate environment where you feel comfortable moving at a pace that feels right for you.
There is no "right" way to begin therapy—simply showing up is an important first step.
Is everything we discuss confidential?
Yes.
Your privacy is extremely important. Everything discussed during therapy is confidential except in situations required by law, such as concerns involving immediate safety, abuse, or court orders. We'll review confidentiality and its limits during your first appointment.
Can therapy really help?
Research consistently shows that therapy can reduce anxiety, improve sleep, strengthen relationships, increase resilience, improve emotional well-being, and help people recover from trauma and major life transitions.
Healing doesn't happen overnight, but meaningful, lasting change is possible with the right support.
What if I don't feel "bad enough" for therapy?
You don't have to wait until you're in crisis to benefit from therapy.
Many people seek therapy because they want to:
Feel less overwhelmed
Improve communication
Strengthen relationships
Sleep better
Learn healthier coping skills
Navigate life transitions
Build confidence
Better understand themselves
Therapy is about growth just as much as it is about healing.
How do I know if we're a good fit?
A strong therapeutic relationship is one of the most important factors in successful therapy.
My approach is warm, collaborative, and practical. I believe in creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where individuals and couples feel heard, respected, and supported while working toward meaningful goals.
If you're looking for compassionate, evidence-based therapy that is personalized to your unique needs, I'd be honored to be part of your journey.
Ready to Take the First Step?
Whether you're seeking support as an individual or as a couple, you don't have to navigate anxiety, trauma, insomnia, ADHD, burnout, relationship challenges, caregiving, grief, or life's transitions alone.
At Haven Bridge Counseling & Wellness, you'll find compassionate, evidence-based care designed to help you heal, grow, strengthen your relationships, and move forward with confidence.