Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy

Have questions about starting therapy for anxiety or ADHD?

Here you'll find information about therapy services at Dove Counseling and Education, what to expect during your first session, therapeutic approaches, fees, insurance, and scheduling.

If you don't find the answer you're looking for, please reach out. I'm happy to help you understand your options and decide on a next step.

Getting Started With Therapy

What concerns do you help with?

I provide individual therapy for adults experiencing anxiety and ADHD. Therapy offers a supportive space to better understand your experiences, develop coping strategies, and address challenges that affect everyday life.

Anxiety may involve persistent worry, overthinking, perfectionism, or difficulty relaxing. ADHD may affect attention, organization, time management, task completion, and emotional regulation.

Together, we'll explore your concerns, identify your strengths, and develop practical strategies tailored to your needs.

How do I know if therapy is right for me?

You don't have to wait until life feels unmanageable to seek support. Therapy may be helpful if anxiety is taking up too much of your mental energy or ADHD-related challenges are affecting your responsibilities, relationships, or confidence.

You don't need to have all the answers before starting. We can begin by discussing what's been challenging and what you'd like to change.

Do you offer a free consultation?

Yes. I offer a complimentary 15-minute consultation by phone or video. This gives us an opportunity to discuss what brings you to therapy, answer your questions, and determine whether working together may be a good fit.

If I believe your needs would be better served by another provider or service, I'll do my best to help you identify appropriate resources.

Do you offer online therapy?

Yes. I offer telehealth therapy for clients located in Maryland, when clinically appropriate and consistent with applicable licensing requirements.

What happens during the first therapy session?

The first session is an opportunity to get to know each other and discuss what's bringing you to therapy. We'll explore your current concerns, relevant experiences, strengths, and goals.

Together, we'll begin identifying priorities and developing a treatment plan that reflects your needs. You'll also have an opportunity to ask questions about therapy and the process of working together.

What therapeutic approaches do you use?

My approach to therapy is collaborative, individualized, and grounded in evidence-based practices. Depending on your needs and goals, I may draw on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused therapy, mindfulness, and strengths-based approaches.

These approaches can help you recognize patterns that contribute to anxiety or difficulties with daily functioning, develop coping skills, and build on your existing strengths.

How can therapy help with anxiety?

Anxiety therapy can help you recognize triggers, understand patterns of worry and avoidance, and develop healthier ways of responding to uncertainty.

Our work may include managing overthinking, challenging unhelpful thought patterns, practicing coping skills, and building confidence in everyday situations.

The goal isn't to eliminate every worry. It's to help you feel better equipped to navigate life's challenges.

How can therapy help with ADHD?

ADHD therapy can help you better understand how ADHD affects your daily life and identify strategies that fit your individual needs.

We may work on organization, time management, prioritization, task initiation, follow-through, emotional regulation, and managing frustration or self-criticism.

We can also explore routines and environmental supports that make everyday responsibilities more manageable.

Do sleep, eating habits, and exercise play a role in therapy?

Yes. When relevant to your concerns, we can explore how sleep, eating patterns, movement, and daily routines may relate to your mood, attention, energy, and ability to manage everyday demands.

For example, inconsistent sleep can affect concentration and emotional regulation. Busy schedules or distraction may contribute to irregular eating patterns, while movement may be one way to support mood and stress management.

We'll discuss realistic strategies without judgment or the expectation that you need to change everything at once. These conversations complement therapy and do not replace medical care or specialized nutritional treatment when needed.

For more information, visit the Therapeutic Approaches page.

How long will I be in therapy?

The length of therapy depends on your concerns, goals, and progress. Some people benefit from focused, short-term therapy, while others prefer longer-term support.

We'll discuss your goals and periodically review how therapy is going so that the process continues to reflect your needs.

How often will we meet?

Sessions are often scheduled weekly at the beginning of therapy, although frequency may vary based on your needs, goals, and clinical recommendations.

We'll discuss a schedule that supports continuity and gives you opportunities to practice strategies between sessions.

What are your therapy fees?

The self-pay fee for a 60-minute intake or therapy appointment is $249. Please confirm the current fee before scheduling.

Do you accept insurance?

I am in-network with BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS) and Cigna, subject to your specific plan and eligibility.

Depending on your insurance benefits, you may be responsible for a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible. I submit claims for eligible in-network services.

Please contact your insurance company to verify your mental health benefits and understand any out-of-pocket costs before your appointment.

Can I use out-of-network benefits?

If you have out-of-network mental health benefits, you may be eligible for reimbursement for self-pay therapy. Coverage and reimbursement vary by plan. Contact your insurance company to confirm your benefits and documentation requirements.

Are reduced-fee therapy options available?

I have participated in Open Path Collective to help make therapy more accessible for individuals experiencing financial need. Availability may be limited. Please contact me to ask about current options.

What is your cancellation policy?

Please provide at least 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment.

A $50 fee applies to appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice or missed without notice. Please review your practice agreement for complete details.

How do I schedule a therapy appointment?

The first step is to schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation. During this conversation, we'll discuss your needs and questions and determine whether working together may be a good fit.

If we decide to proceed, I'll provide information about scheduling your first session and completing the necessary intake paperwork.

Is therapy confidential?

Confidentiality is an essential part of the therapeutic relationship. Information shared during therapy is protected by professional ethics and applicable privacy laws, subject to certain exceptions.

These may include situations involving safety concerns, suspected abuse or neglect when reporting is legally required, or a valid court order. I'll review confidentiality and its limits with you as part of the intake process.

Do you provide therapy in Spanish?

I am bilingual in English and Spanish. Please contact me to discuss your language preference and determine whether my services are a good fit for your needs.

Still Have Questions About Therapy?

Taking the first step doesn't mean you need to have everything figured out. If you're considering therapy for anxiety or ADHD, I'm happy to talk with you about your concerns and answer your questions.

I offer a complimentary 15-minute telehealth consultation for prospective clients located in Maryland.

Let's start with a conversation.