Frequently Asked Questions

Laura has been actively licensed and providing mental health counseling since 2019. She is fully and independently licensed in New Jersey, Idaho, South Carolina, and Ohio. She obtained a BA in Psychology, a MA in Human Services Counseling, and a MA in Professional Counseling. She has completed levels 1 & 2 of the Gottman Method training. Laura is fully trained in emotionally focused couples therapy (EFCT) and is a member of the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT). She is currently pursuing advanced certification in EFCT. 

Online counseling is a form of mental health treatment that takes place virtually. Online counseling can also be referred to as virtual health or telehealth. Clients are able to attend sessions on their laptop, iPad, cell phone, or any other digital device that has video/audio capabilities. 

Absolutely! Treatment provided virtually follows the same legal and ethical standards as in-person sessions, with the added bonus of being more convenient. Laura works incredibly hard to foster a strong therapeutic relationship with her clients. It is important that sessions are conducted in a private and quiet setting, free from distractions. Many clients participate in sessions on their lunch hour at work with their office door closed. Some couples engage in couples counseling with one partner at work and the other partner at home. 

Unfortunately, due to ethical and legal reasons, therapy cannot be conducted via a phone call. Laura is required to visually see clients in order to make proper assessments. Therapy is also not able to be conducted via text or email. Sessions will never be conducted while a client is operating a moving vehicle. 

It's easy! Start by sending a message or email to Laura. If you decide that you'd like to work with Laura, she'll create your client profile in SimplePractice. From there, you'll complete the required new client intake paperwork. Once all paperwork is complete, Laura will reach out to schedule your first appointment. 

Laura is typically available Mon - Fri between the hours of 9 am and 3 pm. She operates in multiple time zones, so please let Laura know where you are located so she can accommodate for the time difference. 

Evening and weekend sessions are not available at this time. Laura maintains a small caseload and is often available for same-day sessions for established clients. 

Counseling sessions are typically 45 minutes long, but some couples prefer 90 minute sessions. Special arrangements can be made for longer sessions, please contact Laura for availability and pricing. 

Initially, Laura prefers to meet with couples once per week for the first few weeks. This allows Laura to establish a solid therapeutic relationship with both partners and to learn as much as possible about the couple's unique dynamics. Ultimately, couples determine how often they would like to meet. Some couples like to meet once a week, and others prefer to meet twice a month. Over time, couples are encouraged to attempt to stretch time between sessions, in an attempt to practice skills. Couples have the autonomy to determine the frequency and course of their treatment, but they are also held accountable for the change they desire to see. Real change happens outside of the therapy session, in everyday life. Change requires practice and consistency, not just during one session a week, but each and every day. 

No, Laura is not contracted with insurance companies. As such, she is unable to contact/communicate with your insurance provider on your behalf. Clients deserve the right to choose who has access to their personal and private health information. Laura allows couples the freedom to make their own decisions about their mental health treatment, without insurance dictating or limiting their care. Laura is unable to respond to records requests or correspondence from your insurance company. 

Insurance operates on a medical model and typically does not cover couples counseling because it is not deemed "medically necessary." Insurance companies only pay or reimburse for specific, diagnosable psychiatric conditions, as listed in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). Couples counseling focuses on improving relationship dynamics or patterns of engagement, which are not considered to be mental illnesses. Additionally, insurance companies require an "identified patient" to have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder which is the focus of therapeutic treatment. In couples counseling, the "patient" is the relationship itself, not a specific partner.  

The cost per session ranges between $125-$175. For accurate pricing, please check the "Private Practice Fees" tab. Discounted self-pay rates are reserved exclusively for Active Duty service members, either for individual counseling or couples counseling. 

Yes! Using a HSA card is the same as using a debit or credit card to pay for treatment. You can add your HSA card to your SimplePractice account and use it to pay for therapy.