Taking the first step toward therapy is not always easy — and reaching out to a therapist for the first time can feel both hopeful and a little daunting. I want to make that process as simple, clear, and comfortable as possible. Here is what you can expect:

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Step One ~ Reach Out

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You can reach me by phone or email. I welcome both and will do my best to respond promptly.

 

A quick but important note about email: while it is a convenient way to make initial contact, please be mindful that standard email is not a fully secure form of communication. I encourage you to keep your initial email brief and avoid sharing sensitive personal information until we have had an opportunity to connect directly.

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Step Two ~ Our Initial Conversation

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Before scheduling your first appointment, I welcome the opportunity for a brief introductory phone call. This is a chance for us to get acquainted in a low pressure way — for me to share a bit about how I work and my availability, and for you to tell me a little about what brings you to therapy. It is also an opportunity for both of us to get a sense of whether we are likely to be a good fit. I want to feel confident that I have the skills and experience to meet your needs, and I want you to feel comfortable and hopeful about working together before we begin.

 

There is no obligation and no pressure — just an honest and open conversation to help us both feel good about taking the next step.

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Step Three ~ Paperwork

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If we decide to move forward, I will send you my intake paperwork — including my informed consent forms and practice policies — for you to review and sign prior to your first appointment. Please take the time to read these documents carefully, as they contain important information about the therapy process, confidentiality, fees, and your rights as a client. Your first appointment cannot be confirmed until all paperwork has been completed and returned.

 

If you have any questions about the paperwork, you are always welcome to call me before your first appointment — and of course we can address any remaining questions together when we meet.

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Step Four ~ Your First Appointment

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Your first session is 75 minutes — a little longer than a standard session — which gives us the time and space to begin getting to know one another without feeling rushed. Subsequent sessions are 45 minutes.

 

At the start of our first meeting, we will review your paperwork together, I will answer any questions you may have, and then I will simply ask what brings you in — and let you lead from there. There is no agenda, no pressure, and no expectation that you will have everything figured out before you walk in. You just need to show up.

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Availability & Location

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I offer both in-person and virtual therapy to accommodate your needs and schedule.

 

In-person sessions are available on Thursdays at my office in Somerville, New Jersey — a warm, welcoming space in a historic converted home, where original moldings, a fireplace, a chandelier, and generous natural light streaming through large windows create an atmosphere that feels more like a refuge than a clinical setting. I have been proud to call the Somerville area my professional home since 1999, and this office since 2019.

 

Virtual sessions via a secure telehealth platform are available on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays for clients located in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

 

My general hours are:

• Monday & Tuesday: 9:00 am — 8:00 pm

• Wednesday: 9:00 am — 4:00 pm

• Thursday: 9:00 am — 7:00 pm

 

I am closed Fridays, weekends, and holidays.

 

Fees & Insurance

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For information about my fees, payment options, insurance, and cancellation policy, please visit my Fees, Payment & Insurance page.

 

Ready to Take the Next Step?

 

I would love to hear from you. Whether you are ready to schedule or simply have a few questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. Taking that first step — however small it feels — is the beginning of something meaningful.

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I look forward to connecting with you.​​

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