HOW I WORK

In Therapy I See Myself In The Mirror Differently

My clients tell me they feel relief when we start working together.  They feel like I get them and can finally see a path for healing.   In the beginning of treatment, we will discuss all treatment options and I’ll offer recommendations, but ultimately the decisions are yours.   I collaborate with you on your therapy needs and customize my style based on what would be effective for you.  I recognize that my therapy style may not be the right fit for everyone, so I always explore this early in our sessions to make sure that you feel I am the right therapist for you. 

Most people start therapy during a crisis or when they feel depressed or anxious.  I will help you cope and work through the current stressors, but my priority is to help you uncover the WHY behind your problems and provide you with HOW to move forward.  If we just put a bandaid on the wound when it needs to be reconstructed and don't do the surgery required to heal long term, the therapy won't provide lasting change.  I invite you to be your true self and you won't receive any shame or judgment.  I try and be curious, advocate for you, and will build you up in your strengths.  I've found that sensitive people need a nurturing and compassionate approach because they've often gone through life not having people understand and support them in the way they need.  It is my privilege to walk alongside you as you heal and grow.

FEES AND INSURANCE

Investing IN YOURSELF is the best investment you can make

1.  What are your fees and cancellation policy?

My fee is $200 for a 45-minute session. 

On average, clients who are a great fit commit to at least 3-6 months of weekly sessions before they switch to maintenance phase (every other week, 1x/month, or 1x/quarter) or termination (graduate from therapy).  Cancellations must be made at least 48 hours in advance to avoid being charged for the full session.  Exceptions are made for illness or emergencies.

​2.  Can I use my insurance for therapy?

I am out-of-network and do NOT bill insurance.

However, I can provide you a superbill that you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement if you have a PPO. Contact your insurance provider directly for more information.

Both FSA/HSA cards (flexible spending account and health savings account) work like debit cards for qualified medical expenses and can be used for our sessions.  FSA/HSA accounts are pre-tax, thereby helping people save money.  Contact yours to confirm if therapy is eligible.

3.  Why pay for out-of-network if I can find someone cheaper that contracts with my insurance?

Many clients are concerned about the higher cost of working with an out-of-network provider.  While in-network providers might work well for you financially, you have to take into account that insurance companies have access to your information, diagnosis and can limit the number of sessions.  That can be a hindrance for getting approved for life insurance if you are dealing with depression or for employers that ask for a health history.  

While it's more expensive to pay out-of-pocket, you can work with any therapist of your choice, especially those (like myself) who have very specific niches or use less common approaches (like experience and training to work with HSP's and mood disorders) that generally may not be covered by insurance.  You also don't have insurance involved in your treatment.  And you are the boss! 

I've noticed that many clients manifest a higher income when they begin to value themselves and gain confidence.  HSP's also thrive when they are doing work that fulfills their sense of purpose.  Often therapy can lead people to make changes in their work life that could positively impact their finances.

FAQ's

Answers To Common Questions About Therapy

1.  What are the benefits of therapy?

Women I work with tell me they notice a marked improvement in emotional health and well being. This translates into a higher self-confidence, productivity and better relationships. People begin to feel more comfortable with themselves and feel “unstuck” due to their increased self-awareness which results in positive changes in their lives.

2.  How can therapy help me change for the better?

People get stuck because they are often living out reactive patterns (rather than proactive ways) of thinking, feeling, doing, and relating.   My priority is to help you figure out WHY you do what you do and equip you with new ways of living. No significant, lasting change can be attained without intentional effort and practice. Changing lifelong patterns is hard work, but definitely doable - and you won't be doing it alone!  Much like a personal trainer, I am committed to finding which emotional workout methods are well suited to your needs and goals, saving you precious time and energy to get healthier emotionally and experience results in the way you feel about yourself and how you relate to others.

3.  How many therapy sessions will I need?

It depends on how much stress or emotional reactivity you are experiencing during this time: the higher your level of stress and reactivity, the more you may benefit from coming in frequently (at least once a week). The more resources, safe connections, and self-control you have, the more space you can have between sessions.  In the early stages, I meet with clients once a week for 45 minutes to build good momentum up front.  After we address immediate concerns, underlying relationship patterns, and unmet emotional needs, we will gradually space out sessions as you “replicate therapy outside of therapy” (or integrate new skills and resources into your day-to-day life), until you feel like you're ready to move to an as-needed basis.  

While many people can make significant progress in a short amount of time, therapy is not a quick fix solution. We’ll set goals early in treatment and together, we’ll estimate a time-frame for treatment, depending on your needs.  

I'd love to meet with you to find out if I'm the right person to help.  Feel free to contact me with questions or book a free consultation!

CONTACT MARIA

You are welcome to ask any questions!

408-250-2166

maria.lloyd.ml@gmail.com