Therapy Services

Individual Therapy

Many people seek therapy when they feel stuck with a mental health problem, such as depression, anxiety, unwanted relationship patterns, or difficulty recovering from a painful experience. Others may be struggling to cope with external sources of stress, like discrimination, abuse, or trauma. As a licensed psychologist, I help patients get unstuck by providing therapy that is supportive, confidential, and challenging. By helping you step out of your comfort zone, we can find new ways of coping with the issues you are struggling with or avoiding.

There are many different styles of therapy. For example, some therapists focus on correcting negative thought patterns, and others help patients resolve conflicts from their past. Most established approaches to therapy are equally effective for addressing common psychological problems. However, a therapist's choice of therapeutic style will affect your experience as a patient.

My approach to therapy usually includes an exploration of a patient's relationship experiences and emotional attachments to other people. Many of my patients find this approach helpful because stress, anxiety, and unresolved emotional pain often affect how we connect with others.

I know from my own personal experience how overwhelming it can feel to find a new therapist, so I'm glad you're taking these steps to get help for yourself. I look forward to talking with you about how I can help.

Couples Therapy

Just like individuals, couples also seek therapy when they feel stuck in unhelpful patterns of conflict, miscommunication, or avoidance. Couples therapy is similar to individual therapy in many ways, but in couples therapy there are three people involved in treatment: you, your partner, and the therapist. The goal of couples therapy is not to help one individual change, but to help both partners change their relationship to meet shared goals.

Couples seek therapy for many reasons, but common goals of couples therapy include improving communication, helping partners support each others' needs, dealing with differences in personal values, improving co-parenting skills, navigating life transitions and separations, and treating sexual dysfunction.

As a couples therapist, my job is not to "pick sides" or settle arguments in your relationship. But I can work with you and your partner to identify your shared goals and remove the obstacles to achieving them.

Note: I do not provide couples therapy to couples that are currently experiencing intimate partner violence or serious threats of violence.

Am I the Right Therapist for You?

Research has shown that therapy is most effective when patient and therapist form a trusting relationship, so finding a therapist that's a good fit for you is important. We may need to meet for a session or two before we can decide if I'm the right therapist for you.

I have treated patients with many types of mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, stress, trauma, suicidal thoughts, relationship concerns, sexuality and gender identity concerns, and experiences of discrimination. I work with patients of all races, religions, gender/sexual identities, nationalities, and immigration statuses. I can only provide therapy in English.

Before scheduling our first therapy session, I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation to evaluate our potential fit. During this phone call I will want to confirm the following:

• Are you an adult?
• Do you live in Alaska?
• Are you willing to see a therapist remotely via telehealth?
• Do you feel comfortable working with a white male therapist?
• Do I have the attributes you are looking for in a therapist?

Telehealth

I currently provide therapy and assessment services only by telehealth.

Telehealth is a term used to describe health care services delivered remotely using technology. I use telehealth to meet with patients by video, so we can still see and hear each other during sessions even if we are not in the same physical location. I use only HIPAA-compliant technologies and practices to protect patient privacy.

I have years of experience providing therapy by telehealth. I completed a postdoctoral fellowship in telebehavioral health at Texas A&M University. I train graduate student therapists on how to use telehealth. I have also conducted telehealth research studies (you can read more about my telehealth research on my research page). I am confident that I have the experience necessary to provide high-quality telehealth services to most patients.

Assessment Services

Adult ADHD Assessment

What is ADHD?

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that begins in childhood. Although symptoms first appear in youth, as many as two-thirds of children with ADHD will continue experiencing attention-related symptoms into adulthood. About 1 in 40 adults have ADHD.

The two distinguishing features of ADHD are inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity. Adults with inattention often have problems with starting and/or finishing projects, organization, forgetfulness, distractibility, and sustaining focus for extended periods of time. Adults with hyperactivity often have problems with fidgeting, restlessness, and talkativeness, and those with impulsivity may struggle with interrupting others, acting without thinking, and engaging in risky behaviors. Adults with ADHD may have only symptoms of inattention, only symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity, or a combination of both.

Adults with ADHD also have weaknesses in executive functioning. Executive functions are a set of mental abilities required for self-control and time management. They are the abilities people use to plan and engage in behaviors over time in order to achieve their goals.

Untreated ADHD can cause problems in many areas of life, including education, work, personal finances, relationships, and health. A comprehensive ADHD assessment will determine if you have ADHD and how your attention-related symptoms can be treated. Many prescribers who treat ADHD also require a comprehensive psychological evaluation before prescribing stimulant medications like Adderall and Ritalin.

How is ADHD Diagnosed?

The purpose of an adult ADHD assessment is to determine if you have ADHD. To answer this question, I will meet with you multiple times to collect information, administer psychological tests, and review the final results of your assessment. I will also ask you to complete some parts of the assessment process (like questionnaires about your mental health symptoms) outside of our meetings. At the end of the assessment process I will provide you with a written report summarizing your results in detail, including any diagnoses that fit your symptoms and developmental history. Your report will also include my recommendations for successfully addressing your symptoms, both in and out of treatment.

For more information about the assessment process, please review this Adult ADHD Assessment Checklist.

Gender Dysphoria Assessment

I offer free psychological assessment services to individuals living in Alaska who need a diagnosis of gender dysphoria in order to access gender affirming health care (including hormone therapy and surgery). Please contact me so we can discuss your needs.

Payment

Fees

Individual therapy: $180 per 50-minute session

Couples therapy: $240 per 75-minute session

Adult ADHD assessment: $800 per evaluation

Gender dysphoria assessment: free

Insurance

I don't take health insurance for payment and I am not "in network" for any health insurance providers. After receiving payment, I can offer patients an itemized receipt for services that may be submitted to a health insurance company with request for reimbursement. However, health insurers may not always reimburse for "out-of-network" services.

Reduced Rates

I reserve a limited number of free therapy and low-cost assessment appointments for patients from households earning less than 125% of the federal poverty guidelines. You can use this chart to determine if you qualify. If believe you qualify for a fee waiver please let me know and we can discuss a fee waiver.

Experience

Clinical Training

I received a Master of Arts and Master of Education in counseling at Columbia University, and I received my doctorate in counseling psychology from Texas A&M University. I also completed a postdoctoral fellowship in telebehavioral health care at the Texas A&M University School of Public Health.

I have treated clients in a variety of settings, including a psychiatric hospital, free health clinic, community mental health clinic, prison, and university counseling center.

Teaching & Research

I believe my years of teaching experience have made me a better therapist, just as my work as a therapist has made me a better educator. In my current position as Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Alaska Anchorage, I train graduate student therapists and teach several classes related to mental health and treatment, including Ethics, Intervention Skills, and Clinical Supervision. I previously held teaching positions at Hampton University and Texas A&M University.

My work as a researcher has prepared me to serve clients with evidence-based treatments. I am especially proud of my research on telehealth, which you can read about on my research page.

Licensure

I am licensed to practice in Alaska (Licensed Psychologist #189196), Virginia (Licensed Clinical Psychologist #0810006724), and Texas (Licensed Psychologist #38469).

Complaints in Alaska: The Alaska Board of Psychologists and Psychological Associate Examiners receives questions and complaints regarding the practice of psychology. For assistance please contact: PO Box 110806, Juneau, AK 99811-0806, or BoardofPsychologists@Alaska.Gov.

Complaints in Virginia: The Virginia Board of Psychology receives questions and complaints regarding the practice of psychology. For assistance please contact: 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Henrico, Virginia 23233, (800) 533-1560, or at https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/psychology/.

Complaints in Texas: The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists receives questions and complaints regarding the practice of psychology. For assistance please contact: Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, 333 Guadalupe, Suite 2-450, Austin, Texas 78701, (512) 305-7700, or (800) 821-3205, or at https://www.tsbep.texas.gov/.