Frequently Asked Questions | Through These Frames

Where is your office?

I see clients virtually throughout Alabama and Georgia. So far, most of my clients have preferred telehealth since they have small children, but I have office space available for clients who prefer in person.

I am based in Birmingham, AL, and can see clients in person at:

4000 Eagle Point Corporate Drive
Birmingham, AL 35242

How long are sessions?

Sessions generally last between 50-55 minutes. This gives me a few minutes to ensure I appropriately document our session together and have time for a bathroom break before seeing my next client.

What are your hours?

Monday – Thursday, 9:00 – 4:00 pm (central time).

Do you take insurance?

I am credentialed with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama. I am not credentialed in Georgia.

How do I set up an initial appointment?

I offer a free 20-minute consult call during which I will ask you a variety of questions to get to know your situation a little better. This will help me ensure I am the best fit to meet your needs. Please use this call as an opportunity for you to get to know me as well. Ask me questions and get to know my personality to make sure you feel comfortable right from the start.

What is your cancellation policy?

If sessions are not canceled within 24 hours, I reserve the option to charge you the full session fee at my private pay rate. Unfortunately, therapy sessions canceled last minute are not as easily replaced as they are in some other fields of work. This helps me maintain my monthly budget and keep the little mouths in our home fed.

What age ranges do you work with?

I see adult clients 18 and over.

Do you see men? Women? Couples?

The answer is yes! While most of my clients are primarily women, I do not exclusively see women or individuals. I love working with couples as much as I do individual sessions.

What should I expect during a therapy session?

During our first official meeting, we will conduct a full intake session, which is essentially one long interview. I will gather information about your past and present and the changes you desire in different areas of your life. The next session will be spent finalizing your treatment plan, which will guide our sessions. My style is pretty laid-back and practical. I enjoy keeping it real.

Do you give homework?

Not every session, but I do give practical tools for you to practice in between sessions to see what works well for you and what does not. Don’t worry, homework generally does not mean doing a worksheet.

What modalities do you use in therapy?

I lean heavily into Brief Solution-Focused Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and mindfulness activities. There are others that I may sprinkle in throughout the way, but these comprise the bulk of my practice thus far.

What is your professional training and experience?

My bachelor’s and master’s degrees are in Social Work. My first job out of grad school was as a Child and Adolescent Cognitive-Behavioral Therapist. My most recent experience was working in a Community Mental Health Center for several years. There, I gained experience working with adults and children fighting everything from mild anxiety/depression to serious mental illnesses. The variety of illnesses I treated gave me the confidence to start honing my passion for something more specific since I had just about seen it all!

What else does a client need to know to make the most out of working with you?

Engaging in treatment with me means you not only gain a therapist, but also an advocate, a resource connector, and someone to empower you to be your best self. I will do my best to help you meet the goals you set for yourself. I will challenge you. Therapy isn’t always easy, but it can be fun!

Be prepared to be met with a warm smile and a bubbly, and occasionally sarcastic, personality. I will work in a good pun any chance I get.

Is there such a thing as TMI?

Nope! If there is anyone to bare your soul to, it’s your therapist.

Have you ever cried in session with someone?

I have before. Mostly, I am good at maintaining my composure, but there have been a small handful of occasions in which I felt it was appropriate to show some emotion alongside my client.

What’s in the big cup you’re always drinking from?

It’s probably a big jug of water with a Liquid IV packet or a Nuun electrolyte tablet in it. If it’s mid-late afternoon, I’m sipping a decaf coffee.

Are you a morning person or a night owl?

Can I say neither? Late afternoon into early evening is where I shine! Once 4:00 pm hits, I’m ready to get out from behind my computer and be outside for the rest of the day. (Hence, why I don’t start seeing clients until 9:00 am and the last session is at 3:00!)

What do you do for self-care?

I have my own therapist who helps me manage my mental health. I am also very intentional about listening to my body as it tells me what it needs. I get plenty of outside time, plan informal get-togethers with close friends at least twice monthly, put the screens away and get on the floor with my kids, plant all the plants, and prioritize time with my husband, even if we are watching Modern Family reruns.

Speaking of plants, what’s up with all the plants on your website?

I just love them so much! They fill a room with color and life and are a wonderful metaphor for mental health. When the leaves start to wilt or discolor, I know they need something. Is it water? Is it more sunlight? Have I packed too much soil in the pot so now it can’t drain properly? It takes a little digging (did you see what I did there?), but once we get to the root of the issue (and there), we can address the problem. Sounds familiar? Wink. Wink.

What are some things that make you unique?

I am a mom to a blended family (a stepdaughter and two biological daughters – yes, all girls – send help). I have lived in three countries (USA, Costa Rica, and Rwanda). I speak Spanish (maybe not as well as I did when I was speaking daily, but it’s still there!).

And honey. I love local honey, and I could eat it on more things than one probably should – French fries, pizza crust, chicken fingers, on toast, in coffee, in tea, in a cocktail, by the spoonful. Y’all, yum! I attribute my lack of seasonal allergies to my love of local honey.