Frequently Asked Questions

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How will I know if this is the right place for me?

The only way to know for sure is to come in for a session.  If you feel that we are not a good fit, that is OKAY!  As therapists, we understand that we may not be everyone’s cup of tea.  We will gladly assist in finding another therapist they may be a better fit for you. 

Do you provide in-person or online counseling?

We currently providing both in-person and online counseling.  

Is online counseling right for me?

Although there are many advantages of online counseling (it’s convenient, effective, keeps us safe from infectious diseases such as COVID-19), it’s not right for everyone. Online counseling (teletherapy) works best for those with mild symptoms (not people who are suicidal or in crisis), are comfortable using technology, and have a quiet, private place to have their sessions.

Who do you work with?

We provide counseling for children, adolescents, teens, and adults who reside in Florida, who have been affected by traumatic life events. These individuals may suffer from PTSD, OCD, ADHD, depression, anxiety, anger issues, grief, and substance abuse.  We also specialize in the actively serving military, veterans, and first responder populations. 

Isn’t it better for me to solve my own problems?

We won’t solve your problems for you. Rather, we will help you clarify issues so you can solve problems on your own with our guidance, support, and expertise. The goal of therapy is to make you more self-sufficient, not more dependent.

What can I expect from therapy?

Once you have made a decision to see a therapist, you still might be apprehensive about the process. Many people feel nervous before their first appointment. Therapy is a shared journey; a shared process. And, although we will work together, it is ultimately your journey and you will make your own decisions on how the treatment is done.  

What happens during the first session?

The initial session may seem like an interview.  During this time, we may ask you to share your story, talk about your goals and expectations, and gather important information for treatment planning purposes. Another important aspect of the first session is deciding if we are a good fit.  Is your therapist someone you feel comfortable working with?  The therapeutic relationship that is established will be the building blocks for healing.  We believe it is the most fundamental part of the process.  

How long do appointments last?

The initial intake/first session will be a 60-minute session. After the initial session, your therapist may recommend weekly 60-minute weekly or bi-weekly sessions depending on your goals and type of therapy being done.  

How often will we meet?

Typically, we will meet with you once a week, however, if needed, we can meet twice a week or every other week.

Do you accept insurance?

We are not currently accepting insurance. However, we operate as out-of-network providers for various insurance plans. In this arrangement, clients directly pay the full fee to us. We then furnish a comprehensive statement containing all the necessary information for insurance companies to process your reimbursement request. If your insurance provider requires any specific forms to be completed, kindly provide them to us, as it will streamline the process.

To ensure we provide you with the precise documentation you need, it's helpful for you to be aware of your insurance company's requirements. Reimbursement amounts hinge on your insurance plan and its coverage level. We recommend reaching out to your insurance provider to inquire about their policies regarding out-of-network mental health services and the corresponding reimbursement rates. 

Please note that services provided by our Registered Clinical Social Work Intern may not be eligible for insurance reimbursement. Most insurance companies do not credential or contract with interns, which means we are unable to provide a superbill for these sessions. If you plan to use out-of-network benefits, we recommend confirming eligibility with your insurance provider prior to scheduling. 

What is your rate?

• Phone Consultation (15 minutes): 
  •  Free 
• Initial Intake Session: 
  • $200 (60 minute session) 
  • $130 (60 minute session with registered intern)
• Individual Sessions:
  • $175 (60 minute session)
  • $100 (60 minute session with registered intern) 
• Family Sessions:
  • $160 (60 minute session with registered intern)           
• EMDR/Brainspotting Intensives (in-person and weekends only):
  • $750 (Half Day, 3 hours, for current clients only)  
  • $1500 (Full Day, 6 hours)
  • $2000 (Full Day, 6 hours, plus a workbook and a 1 hour intake session prior)

What is your cancellation policy?

We require 24 hours notice of cancellation or you will need to pay for the appointment. An occasional exception may be made in the case of an emergency. It’s important that we meet consistently in order for you to make progress.

What theoretical approach do you use?

We take a holistic approach as we believe that without complete balance within ourselves, we can never have complete balance outside of ourselves. However, we pull from a variety of theories and techniques.

What therapy approaches do you offer for children, adolescents, and teens?

For children, adolescents, and teens, therapy focuses on helping young people better understand their emotions, develop healthy coping skills, and improve relationships at home and school. 

Treatment may include evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for anxiety and OCD, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and insight-oriented therapy to explore emotional patterns and experiences. When appropriate, family therapy may also be incorporated to help improve communication, strengthen relationships, and support the child or teen within the family system.

Do you prescribe medication?

No, we currently do not have a medical practitioner on staff and we cannot prescribe medications. If you are interested in being prescribed medications, we can offer referrals to local psychiatrists.

Who do you not work with?  

We do not conduct child custody evaluations nor do we provide custody recommendations.  We also don’t provide treatment for eating disorders, or psychotic disorders (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, etc).  Due to state licensing laws, we can only provide therapy and counseling to individuals in Florida.

What is Brainspotting?

Brainspotting is a brain-body therapy that helps individuals process and release trauma, emotional pain, and stress that may be stored deep within the brain and nervous system. By identifying specific eye positions, known as brainspots, the therapist helps the brain access areas where unresolved experiences are held so they can be processed and integrated in a safe and supportive environment.

Is Brainspotting evidence based?

Yes. Brainspotting is a neuroscience-informed therapy developed in 2003 and is used worldwide by trained trauma therapists. Research and clinical experience continue to support its effectiveness in helping individuals process trauma, anxiety, and emotional distress.

Is Brainspotting safe?

Yes. Brainspotting is designed to be a safe and supportive therapeutic approach. The therapist carefully monitors the client’s nervous system throughout the session to ensure the process stays within a manageable level of emotional activation. Clients remain in control of the pace of the session and can pause at any time.

What can Brainspotting help with?

Brainspotting has been shown to help with many emotional and psychological challenges, including:

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) 
• Complex trauma 
• Anxiety and panic attacks 
• Depression 
• Chronic stress 
• Emotional overwhelm 
• Attachment wounds 
• Performance anxiety 
• Grief and loss 
• Relationship patterns 
• Emotional regulation difficulties 
• Creative blocks 
• Confidence and self-esteem concerns
   

It can also help individuals who feel stuck despite previous therapy and can be used for personal growth and emotional resilience, not just trauma recovery.

How is Brainspotting different from traditional talk therapy?

Traditional talk therapy focuses primarily on thoughts, behaviors, and conscious processing. Brainspotting works at a deeper neurological level, allowing the brain to access and process trauma stored in subcortical areas that are not always reachable through conversation alone. This often allows clients to work through experiences without needing to repeatedly retell or analyze the event.

Is Brainspotting similar to hypnosis?

Brainspotting is different from hypnosis. While both approaches may involve focused attention, Brainspotting does not place you into a trance state or involve suggestion from the therapist. Instead, it works by helping the brain access and process areas where emotional experiences are stored, allowing the brain’s natural healing process to occur.

How is Brainspotting different from EMDR?

Both Brainspotting and EMDR are trauma-focused therapies that work with the brain’s natural ability to process difficult experiences.

EMDR typically follows a structured protocol using bilateral stimulation such as eye movements or tapping. Brainspotting is often more flexible and allows the brain and body to guide the process at their own pace. Many clients find Brainspotting to feel more natural and less structured, while still allowing deep processing to occur.

Some therapists integrate both approaches depending on what best supports the client.

What happens during a Brainspotting session?

During a Brainspotting session, the therapist will help identify a “brainspot” by guiding your eye position while you focus on a specific emotion, sensation, or experience. Once the brainspot is located, you will maintain gentle awareness of your internal experience while the brain processes and releases the stored material. The therapist remains present to provide support and help regulate the process.

What does Brainspotting feel like?

Every person’s experience is different. Some people notice emotions, body sensations, memories, or images arising during the process. Others experience subtle shifts such as feeling calmer, lighter, or more relaxed. The brain processes at its own pace, and many clients report a sense of release or clarity after the session.

Do I have to talk about my trauma in detail?

No. One of the unique benefits of Brainspotting is that it does not require clients to verbally describe traumatic experiences in detail. While some people choose to talk during the session, others process the experience internally. The focus is on allowing the brain and body to naturally process what is ready to be released.

What if I get overwhelmed during the session?

Your therapist carefully monitors your nervous system and helps keep the process within a safe range of emotional activation. If things begin to feel overwhelming, the therapist can slow the process, shift focus, or guide grounding techniques to help your nervous system regulate. Safety and pacing are central to the Brainspotting approach.

Can Brainspotting help even if I don't remember specific trauma?

Yes. Many people experience emotional patterns, anxiety, or reactions without fully remembering where they came from. Brainspotting works with the brain and body’s stored experiences, even when there is no clear memory attached.

How many Brainspotting sessions will I need?

The number of sessions varies depending on the individual and the concerns being addressed. Some clients experience noticeable shifts in just a few sessions, while others may benefit from ongoing work as part of a longer therapeutic process.

How quickly does Brainspotting work?

Some individuals notice changes after only a few sessions, while others may benefit from a longer course of therapy. The pace of healing varies depending on the individual and the complexity of the experiences being processed.

Can Brainspotting be combined with other therapies?

Yes. Brainspotting often works well alongside other therapeutic approaches such as EMDR, cognitive therapies, nervous system regulation work, and trauma-informed therapy. Many therapists integrate Brainspotting with other modalities to support the client’s overall healing process.

Is Brainspotting right for me?

Brainspotting may be helpful if you:

• feel stuck in recurring emotional or behavioral patterns 
• struggle with trauma or overwhelming experiences 
• experience anxiety or nervous system dysregulation 
• want a therapy approach that works with both the brain and body 
• feel that traditional talk therapy has not fully resolved your symptoms

Do you offer Brainspotting intensives?

Yes. At Harmonia Wellness, we offer Brainspotting intensives for individuals who would like to engage in deeper, more focused trauma processing. An intensive allows for extended sessions, typically several hours, so the brain and nervous system have more time to process material without the time limitations of a traditional therapy session. Many clients choose intensives when they want to work through a specific issue, make meaningful progress more quickly, or dedicate focused time to their healing. Intensives are scheduled in advance and tailored to each individual’s needs to ensure the process remains safe, supportive, and well-paced.

Can Children do Brainspotting?

Yes, Brainspotting can be used with children and adolescents and can be an effective way to help young people process difficult emotions, stress, or traumatic experiences. However, at this time Harmonia Wellness is not offering Brainspotting services to younger clients. Brainspotting is currently available only for adult clients within our practice. If you are seeking support for a child or adolescent, we would be happy to discuss other therapy options that may be a better fit for their needs.

Is it necessary to tell my therapist all the details about my problems in order for them to be processed?

No, it is not necessary to talk about all the details of your experiences for them to be processed.

Will I get emotional?

Yes, you may. Emotions and sensations may come up during processing; although, you will be prepared and your therapist will help you safely manage them. Once they are processed, they rarely come back!

Is EMDR like hypnosis?

They are similar in that they both can unlock the subconscious, however they use completely different methods to achieve this.

Is EMDR a brief treatment?

EMDR, as with all treatment approaches, will help you accomplish your treatment goals.  The length of time that it takes is dependent upon the complexity of your problems.

Can Children do EMDR?

Yes, EMDR can be used with children and adolescents and has been shown to be effective in helping young people process trauma and distressing experiences. However, at this time Harmonia Wellness is not offering EMDR services to younger clients. EMDR is currently available only for adult clients within our practice. If you have questions about treatment options for children or adolescents, we would be happy to help discuss other therapeutic approaches that may be appropriate.

For more information on EMDR, please visit our EMDR page here.

How do I know if what I’m experiencing is OCD or just anxiety?

While anxiety and OCD share some similarities, OCD typically involves intrusive thoughts followed by compulsive behaviors or mental rituals meant to reduce distress. These compulsions may include checking, reassurance seeking, mental reviewing, avoiding certain situations, or trying to neutralize thoughts. ERP therapy helps identify these patterns and break the cycle that keeps OCD going.

What if my compulsion are mental and not behavioral?

Many individuals experience mental compulsions, which can be harder to recognize than physical behaviors. These might include mentally reviewing past events, repeating phrases in your head, trying to “cancel out” thoughts, or constantly analyzing whether something is true. ERP can address both physical and mental compulsions by helping individuals change how they respond to intrusive thoughts.

What if I feel embarrassed about my thoughts?

Many people with OCD feel ashamed or afraid to talk about their thoughts, especially when the thoughts involve themes that feel disturbing or out of character. In therapy, these experiences are understood as common symptoms of OCD, not reflections of who you are as a person. The therapy space is designed to be supportive, nonjudgmental, and focused on helping you reduce the distress these thoughts cause.

Will I be forced to do exposures that I am not ready for?

No. ERP is always collaborative and paced carefully. Exposures are planned together with your therapist and introduced gradually so that they feel challenging but manageable. The goal is to build confidence and resilience over time, not overwhelm you.

Can ERP help if I have had OCD for many years?

Yes. Even if OCD has been present for a long time, the brain can still learn new patterns. ERP helps retrain the brain’s response to intrusive thoughts and anxiety, and many individuals experience meaningful improvement even after years of struggling with OCD.

Do I need to do homework in between sessions?

ERP often includes practicing exposures or new responses to anxiety outside of therapy sessions. These exercises help reinforce the progress made during therapy and allow the brain to learn new patterns in everyday situations.

Can ERP help reduce reassurance seeking?

Yes. Reassurance seeking, such as repeatedly asking others for confirmation that everything is okay, is a common part of OCD and anxiety cycles. ERP helps individuals gradually reduce reliance on reassurance while building confidence in their ability to tolerate uncertainty.

Can ERP help with perfectionsim and over-thinking?

Yes. Many people who struggle with perfectionism, excessive doubt, or constant overthinking benefit from ERP techniques that help reduce compulsive checking, reassurance seeking, and attempts to achieve certainty.

Do I have to live in Florida to become an Intensive client?

No, you do not have to reside in Florida, however you must be present in-person in-office in order to receive intensive treatment.  

• A non-refundable 50% deposit will be required to confirm your appointment times.
• The remaining 50% will be paid on the first day of the EMDR/Brainpotting Intensive.
• We are happy to provide a receipt for services if you’d like to submit an out-of-network claim to your insurance provider.

Where do Intensives take place? 

Sessions take place in our clinician's office in Lakewood Ranch, FL. 

What is included in an Intensive?

Each experience is highly personalized based upon your strengths and challenges, but generally includes:

• A comfortable, safe environment to engage in the work.
• Tea, water, and snacks to support you during the day.
• Ample breaks for your comfort.
• Walks outdoors.
• Experiential exercises to embody what is being learned.
• A free consultation appointment to determine if intensives are the best form of therapy for your needs. This also gives you a chance to ask me questions and sense if you think intensives are a good match for you.
• A follow-up appointment to support your growth and assess any future needs.

For those who want the workbook included with their intensive, you will also receive:

•  A guided workbook designed to support the intensive process, which helps individuals explore negative cognitions, family belief systems, past traumatic experiences, and recurring behavioral patterns, allowing them to identify underlying themes that may be contributing to current emotional responses and areas of distress. 
• 1 hour intake session to review the workbook and prepare for the intensive.

How long do Intensives take? 

Full day intensives (in-person) take between 1-3 days. Typically, sessions will begin around 9:30AM and last until about 5:00PM, with several breaks in between (a total of 6 hours of therapy throughout the day). Intensives are individualized for various needs of the client. Half-day sessions (3 hours) are available to clients who are already working on trauma weekly using EMDR or Brainspotting, and wish to have longer sessions. 

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How do I schedule an Intensive?

First, schedule a free 15-minute telehealth consultation. Consultations are NOT therapy - they are an exploration to see if an intensive is a good fit for you. Once determined if you will be a good fit, the clinician will schedule you for your intensive session/s.  

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How do I prepare for an Intensive? 

Treat the days surrounding intensive sessions like a personal retreat. This is a time for you to really focus on healing yourself. Schedule activities you enjoy around your sessions such as massages, yoga, and hiking.