About Me

As far back as I can remember I had the desire to understand myself and others. I always wondered, what makes us who we are, and how can we affect change? My work in psychiatric hospitals, early childhood education, and Duke Hospice led me to appreciate the powerful force of real human connection. When we feel safe and accepted, we can be open to accepting support for facing challenges or making change.

I hold a Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and am fully licensed to provide psychotherapy and counseling in the state. Prior to starting my private practice, I served as a grief counselor at Duke Hospice for four years, and have supported people coping with traumatic loss, including suicide and sudden death. I facilitated regular eight-week grief support groups during my tenure at Duke, where participants dealt with issues related to the loss of a parent, loss of a spouse, and loss in the midst of the Covid pandemic.

I believe in the dignity and worth of all human beings, and people from all backgrounds, identities, and sexual and gender identities are welcome here. Our identities impact our experiences in the world, and I welcome and encourage discussion about how our identities shape and affect our lives.

Education and Licensure:

Bachelor of Science, Anthropology, University of New Mexico, 1991
Master of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2020
North Carolina Clinical Social Work License # C016094

Selected Training:

UNC Satir 80-hour Training Certificate, 2020
ACT for Grief and Loss (Dr. Russ Harris), 2021
ACT for Depression and Anxiety Disorders (Dr. Russ Harris), 2022
Hospice Foundation of America (HFA), Impact of End-of-life Experiences on the Bereaved, 2022
Hospice Foundation of America (HFA), Trauma-informed Grief Counseling, 2022
Medical Trauma: Clinical Tools for Treating PTSD, Anxiety and Depression Following a Health Crisis, PESI, 2023

My Approach

Services

My scope of practice includes:

Normal and complex grief and loss
Grief from divorce, separation, or heartbreak
Grief from pregnancy loss or infertility
Chronic illness
Death and dying
Caregiver stress and burnout
Dysfunctional relationships
Life changes and life stage transitions
Anxiety and depression, often triggered by any of the above

I see clients either in my comfortable South Durham office or anywhere in North Carolina via secure telehealth platform.

Fees and Insurance:

I am in-network with traditional Medicare (not Advantage plans), but out-of-network with other insurance companies at this time. Most plans allow for out-of-network benefits. If you wish to file claims for out-of-network benefits, I will provide a SuperBill, which supplies all the necessary information needed for reimbursement. It is a good idea to call your insurance company and inquire about your “out of network mental health benefits.” I am happy to help answer questions and guide you in this process.

My standard fee for a 50-miniute session is $135. The fee for the initial intake session, which is 60-75 minutes, is $180.

I offer a limited number of sliding scale fee spots in my practice for those who may be eligible. Please inquire for more information.

I accept cash, checks, debit, credit, and HSA/FSA cards.

Get Started

Disclaimer for Good Faith Estimate for Cash Pay and Out of Network Patients:

Under Section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act, health care providers and health care facilities are required to inform individuals who are not enrolled in a plan or coverage or a Federal health care program, or not seeking to a claim with their plan or coverage both orally and in writing of their ability, upon request or at the time of scheduling health care items and services, to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” (GFE) of expected charges. The GFE shows the costs of items and services that are reasonably expected for services provided. The estimate is based on information known at the time the estimate was created. It does not take into account any reimbursement that you may receive as a result of out of network benefits. The Good Faith Estimate does not include any unknown or unexpected costs that may arise during treatment. You could be charged more if complications or special circumstances occur. If you are billed for more than this Good Faith Estimate, you have the right to dispute the bill. You may contact the provider if billed charges are higher than the Good Faith Estimate. You can ask that the bill be updated to match the Good Faith Estimate, ask to negotiate the bill, or ask if there is financial assistance available.