FAQ

If you have a question other than those I’ve anticipated below, or if my answers here aren’t helpful, be sure to give me a call or send a message. I’d like to make sure you have the information you need.
How much does it cost?

I offer a sliding fee scale, and I don’t require a household income disclosure. This means that I don’t require you to tell me how much you make and then pay me according to your income. Please call me at 612-462-3707 to discuss your fee.

Do you accept insurance?

Please contact me to determine if I am contracted with your insurance—it depends on
the insurance company and which plan you have. Please note: insurance companies do
not pay for coaching.

How often do we meet?
That’s really up to you! Most often, people start weekly or every-other-week.  As you step into greater authority in your life and the problems that bring you to therapy become less troublesome, we put more time between meetings.  I work with you to make this decision by checking in with you about how you see things progressing. As things get better, we can put time between sessions; if problems creep back, we can meet more frequently. Generally, the bigger the concerns in your life are, the more frequently we meet.
How long does therapy take?
It’s my job to get out of your life and help you get your life back from problems. We can meet as long as you feel it’s helpful and meaningful to do so. If what we’re doing isn’t making a difference that makes a difference for you, it’s important that I make adjustments so that you get what you want from meeting together. I’m not going to be the right fit for everyone (no therapist or approach to therapy is the right fit for everyone—beware of silver bullet claims!).  If I’m not helpful sooner rather than later, it’s my job to help you find either another therapist who will approach things differently, or a something else to try. Generally, my clients report meaningful changes within 5-10 sessions.
Do you do a free consultation?
Yes, I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation where you can ask questions about my practice and we can decide together if it seems like a good idea to schedule an appointment.
I hear you work a lot with queer and trans folks. What’s your approach with us?

I do work a lot with queer and trans youth and adults, and the important people in their lives. (I’ve written books and several articles about this) I do not work from a conventional psychological/medical model—my work is informed by queer theory and critical intersectional feminism. This means I understand that identities can be ever-changing and fluid, and that people get to make decisions about their identities and expressions of self. It also means that I am attentive to the ways cultural and social norms and systems of power impact people who occupy non-normative identities, and that I recognize the ingenuity and courage queer, trans, non-binary, and gender creative people employ to navigate the world of heteronormativity, homonormativity, and cisnormativity. Finally, being queer theory and feminist informed means that I also attend to the intersections of white supremacy, classism, patriarchy, xenophobia, adultism, ableism, and other systems of oppression that effect people.  (Oh, it also means that we can talk about unicorns.)

Do you write letters for trans folks seeking hormones or gender-affirming surgeries?
Yes, I do.
Are you sex positive and do you see people in open and poly relationships?
Yes, I am and yes, I do.
What’s the difference between therapy and generative conversational coaching?

While generative conversational coaching can work with issues such as identifying and reaching life goals and changing behaviors that aren’t serving you, it cannot deal with mental health problems. Some examples of issues that are appropriate for therapy, not coaching, include, but are not limited to:

  • Effects of abuse of all kinds and other trauma
  • Chronic health and pain issues for which you are also under a physician’s care
  • Couples, relationship, and family problems
  • Court-mandated issues
  • Disordered eating
  • Drug and alcohol mis-use and addiction
  • Problems faced by children and youth
  • Psychosis and other similar experiences
  • Self-harm and suicidality

For issues such as these, please consult a mental health professional in your location.

Can you meet with people regardless of where they live?

Even though I can meet remotely with people over the internet, I can only do therapy
with Minnesota residents. This is because I am licensed as a psychologist by the state of
Minnesota. I do generative conversational coaching with people from all around the
world.

Let's Start a Conversation

612-462-3707

Believe me—I can talk a lot of dense theory and carry on about a lot of big effing ideas— but that’s not what you’re here for, and this isn’t about me, it’s about you and your life. It’s my job to *get* you and respond to you on your terms, in your terms.

I begin every relationship with potential clients with a brief phone call (there’s no fee or obligation).