Frequently Asked Questions
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Lagom is a Swedish word meaning "just the right amount". Applied to a view on life, it’s taking time for yourself without guilt. It’s unplugging from technology and connecting with the people in your life. It’s looking at every facet of your life and acting on what will make you happy. It’s doing work that is fulfilling and meaningful and giving back to support others. It’s a life rooted in social awareness, moderation, and sustainability.
Lagom = The Swedish philosophy of a happy life balance.
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You’ve already taken the first step! Here’s an outline of the entire therapy intake process:
Complete my contact form by clicking any of the “Contact Me” or “Schedule An Appointment” buttons found on my site.
I’ll get back to you within 48 hours to schedule your free 15-minute consultation.
Complete consultation.
At the end of the consultation, if you decide I’m the therapist for you, I’ll get you scheduled for your first appointment.
Complete & submit client intake forms.
Attend your first appointment.
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I get it. It’s nerve-wracking to reach out to a stranger. I’m here to reassure you that it’ll be a very low stress & low-pressure thing. Consultation is a very casual 15-minute conversation for us to get a feel for each other. I typically conduct this over video chat, that way we get to see each other. This can also be done over the phone. Our conversation will include a summary from you of what brings you to therapy and what you’re hoping to work on. I’ll explain my services and therapy process. It’s your 15 minutes, this is the perfect time to ask me questions!
During our initial consultation (and first appointment) consider the following questions:
Do you feel like you can talk to me?
Do you feel like you can be honest?
Does it feel like I accept you?
Am I a good listener?
Do you feel emotionally and physically safe?
Do you think you can trust me?
Do you feel heard and understood?
Does it feel like I understand your needs?
Additionally, you should feel free to ask me questions about anything important to you. Here are some common questions I’ve been asked:
As a therapist, have you been in therapy yourself? How recently?
How long have you been practicing?
Where did you get your training?
Have you helped people with (insert topic here) before?
How deep are we going to go?
What are your strengths and limitations?
How often do you seek peer consultation?
What is your general philosophy on therapy?
What is a typical session like?
How will I know therapy is working?
What is your attendance/cancellation policy?
Questions on religion, politics, social justice, and personal life (within reason).
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If it becomes clear during the consultation that I can’t meet your therapy needs, don’t get discouraged. I’ll provide you with referrals to other therapists in the area that may be able to better help you. If you think I am a fit, the only way to know if I’m the therapist for you is to talk to me. I ask that you give me two sessions. That’s usually enough time for most people to decide whether I am the right person to talk to. If you’re still not sure after all of this, I always tell clients, trust your gut. You’ll know if it feels like I’m the right person to talk to.
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I’ve had more than one client describe the first/intake session like an awkward first date. The first session is a time for me to get your background. I’ll ask you questions about your life and lived experiences. I’ll ask about relationships with family, friends, and others. I’ll want to know about any stressors in your life. I encourage you to tell me about any “big” life events - divorces, marriages, births, deaths, other losses you’ve experienced. I’ll ask about your past mental health history. I’ll also want to know about your support systems and coping mechanisms. I encourage you to ask me questions about myself for you to get to know me. By the end of the session, we should have an idea of what our first therapy goal will be and what we will be working on going forward.
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Once you have made a decision to start therapy with me, you still might be apprehensive about the process. This is totally normal. I’m not here to “fix” you because you’re not broken. I don’t have answers to all your concerns, but what I do have is the ability to listen carefully and ask thoughtful questions. Your answers to these questions will help shape the direction of our work. I will offer opinions and suggestions from time to time but I will never tell you what to do. I know having the freedom to talk about anything can feel a little daunting. If you need to sit in silence, I’m here to hold space for you. If you need to go off about work, or school, or family, that’s okay. If you need to cry, that’s fine too. I’m here to follow your lead.
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That’s totally fine. This is your space, your time, and you can fill it however you like. My only request of my clients is that they don’t lie or obscure information from me. The therapy process is most effective when you’re open and honest. You might find that after some time together you’re willing to approach tough subjects, or you may not. I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and address the hard things. Change can really only come about by resolving what is holding you back. Remember, therapy may not always feel amazing, but it should always feel safe.
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If you feel like our time together has run its course, or you no longer want to see me, please speak up. I promise you won’t hurt my feelings. I’m here to support you. I’m happy to provide referrals to other therapists in the area.
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There are laws in place to protect your privacy. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) contains a privacy rule that creates national standards to protect individuals' medical records and personal health information, including information about psychotherapy and mental health.
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This is a big question, especially for my teen clients. My answer is not exactly. What I mean by this, is that there are limits to confidentiality. These are the situations in which I may have to share information without your consent:
Texas law requires that clinicians who learn of or have strong suspicions of child abuse or neglect report this information to Child Protective Services or law enforcement personnel.
Texas law requires abuse or neglect of elderly or disabled persons to be reported to the proper authorities.
If I assess that you pose an imminent danger to yourself or others (if you are actively suicidal, having suicide ideation, self-harming, or planning to hurt someone else), I will do what is necessary to protect life within the limits of the law. This may include contacting family, other approved support systems, local mental health services, and/or local authorities.
If I receive a court-ordered subpoena that requires the release of your records or require that I give testimony at a court hearing.
Texas law requires a clinician to report client abuse or sexual exploitation by a previous therapist to the appropriate county district attorney and licensing board. Client anonymity will be preserved if requested.
I do my best to assist my clients in sharing the limited confidentially topics by:
Offering to share the information with a parent or guardian on their behalf with the client present.
Offering to share the information with a parent or guardian on their behalf with the client not present.
Offering to be present when they tell a parent or guardian themselves.
Offering practice sessions on telling parents and guardians without me present at the time.
There’s no right or best way, and what works for one client may not work for another. I’ll be there to support you the entire time.
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All of my therapy sessions are conducted via Simple Practice - a digital platform. I am not providing any in-person counseling at this time. I will continue to offer teletherapy for the foreseeable future.
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If you’re within 30 minutes of Austin, Texas, I offer the option for walk and talk therapy sessions. These sessions are conducted at parks and trails around the Austin area. Clients who choose this option will need to sign an additional waiver verifying that they are aware that confidentiality outside the office is not 100% ensured. There is an additional $25 fee for walk and talk sessions. Masks are preferred, but not required if you’re vaccinated.
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You’re the only one that can decide this. There are many advantages to online counseling; it’s convenient, effective, keeps us safe from infectious diseases such as COVID-19, but it’s not right for everyone. Online counseling (teletherapy) works best for those with mild to moderate symptoms (not people who are suicidal or in crisis), are comfortable using technology, and have a quiet, private place to have their sessions.
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Maybe! The best way to find out is to contact me for a consultation. We can discuss your symptoms and I’ll let you know if I think I’m a good fit for you.
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No therapist can treat every issue in every population. I focus my practice on populations that I’ve spent the most time with/identify with; teens, young adults, millennials, teachers, and LGBTQ+ persons within those populations.
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Yes! As a member of the queer community, I am committed to LGBTQ+ equality and support all expressions of gender identity.
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EDUCATION.
I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Western Michigan University in the Fall of 2008 and a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling from Texas State University in 2017.
EXPERIENCE.
Over the course of 10 years, I taught 6th, 7th, 8th, 10th, and 11th grade English, Language Arts, and Reading was a university-level academic advisor, and a High School Counselor in Austin, TX. I have been in private practice since 2021.
LICENSURE.
Texas Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) - #80253
Colorado Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) - #LPC.0017220
National Certified Counselor (NCC).
Texas School Counselor (EC-12).
Texas Classroom Teacher English Language Arts & Reading (4-8).
Texas Classroom Teacher English Language Arts & Reading (7-12).
Breathe for Change Mind-Body Wellness and Social-Emotional Learning Facilitator.
Breathe for Change 150 hour Yoga Teacher and Social-Emotional Learning Facilitator.
Sartori Alternatives to Managing Aggression (SAMA).
EMDR Trained.
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I currently offer therapy services Tuesday-Thursday with times available as early as 10 am and as late as 7 pm. Contact for current availability.
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I’m so happy that you’re interested in working with me. Although I’m licensed to practice in both Texas and Colorado, currently, I’m only practicing in the state of Texas. I’m currently located in Austin. That being said, with teletherapy you can be anywhere in Texas and be my client.
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I require 24 hours notice of cancellation or you will need to pay in full for the appointment. An occasional exception may be made in the case of an emergency.
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My rates can be found here.
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I understand that therapy can be expensive. Especially if you’re paying out of pocket. Becoming a therapist requires years of schooling, training, practicums, and internships. The cost set by your therapist reflects their level of education, licensure status, specialized certifications, and level of expertise.
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No, I do not accept any insurance. Most of my clients choose to not involve their insurance provider in their treatment. Here are some of the advantages:
I’m not required to give you an official diagnosis. This means there is no diagnosis label permanently attached to your health record.
I am better able to protect your records. This means all information about you, including very personal information, cannot be obtained by the insurance company.
We have more options available for your care regarding your personal preferences and goals since we are not bound by what is dictated by the insurance company.
I collect payment in full from you at the time of service. If you have a PPO-type plan and want to submit a claim for out-of-network reimbursement, I can give you a receipt to help facilitate any reimbursement you may be entitled to. Please note that requesting a receipt to submit an insurance claim means I will need to give you a mental health diagnosis.
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No, I am not a medical doctor. Many of my patients find medication is helpful, but many of them also progress well in therapy without medication. If you want to be evaluated for psychiatric medication, either contact your primary care physician or a psychiatrist. I am happy to provide referrals if needed.
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I’m not a one theory fits all therapist. I use a combination of therapeutic approaches to help meet your needs:
Solution Focused
Person-Centered
EMDR
Mindfulness-based Strategies
Trauma-informed
Wellness
Yoga and Movement
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Rachel is just fine.
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I do my best to reply within 48 hours. However, I am one person running a business which means emails, marketing, social media, seeing clients, billing, etc. Please be patient, and if after 48 hours I have not responded please send a follow-up email.