Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy in Lakewood Ranch & Sarasota

My private pay rates are straightforward and transparent. Individual therapy sessions are $250, and couples therapy sessions are $300.

For therapy intensives, fees are determined based on the scope of the work - this includes your goals, the length and structure of the intensive, and any customized resources or workbooks I develop specifically for you. We’ll discuss all costs up front so you know exactly what to expect. Many clients choose private pay for the flexibility, privacy, and focused support it allows - without the limitations of diagnostic labels or third-party oversight.

Reclaim is a deliberately private-pay practice and does not participate in insurance networks. Note also that insurance generally does not cover couples therapy at all, since it requires one partner to carry a mental health diagnosis for the relationship to be treated. If you have out-of-network benefits, I can provide a superbill you may submit for possible reimbursement. Reimbursement is determined by your plan and is not guaranteed.

That decision is intentional. It allows therapy to be shaped by clinical judgment, your goals, and the complexity of the work rather than by an insurer's requirements around diagnosis, session structure, medical necessity, or treatment authorization.

For many of the people I work with, privacy, flexibility, and discretion are also important considerations. Private-pay care keeps third-party involvement in treatment to a minimum and allows us to make decisions about frequency, length, pacing, and format based on what is most useful clinically.

Gottman Method couples therapy is a research-based approach built on four decades of observational study of what actually predicts whether relationships last. It begins with a structured assessment of your relationship, then targets the specific patterns driving conflict — criticism, defensiveness, contempt, withdrawal. I am Gottman Level 3 trained and a Certified Seven Principles Leader.

Discernment counseling is a short-term, structured process for couples where one partner is leaning toward ending the relationship and the other wants to save it. It is not couples therapy. The goal is clarity about the next step, not repair — usually resolved in one to five sessions.

My office is located at 9040 Town Center Parkway in Lakewood Ranch. I also see clients virtually across Florida and Ontario.

Yes. I am licensed in Florida (LCSW-QS #SW23346) and Ontario (RSW #814213), and see clients virtually anywhere in either jurisdiction. In-person sessions are held in Lakewood Ranch, convenient to Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, and Palmer Ranch. Many couples find virtual sessions easier to coordinate around two schedules.

Yes. I see clients in person at my office conveniently located at 9040 Town Center Parkway in Lakewood Ranch.

Yes. Reclaim is a deliberately private-pay practice, but I do reserve a limited number of reduced-fee openings.

I do not want cost to be the only reason someone decides not to reach out, particularly when the fit is otherwise strong. If the standard fee would make therapy difficult to access, you are welcome to speak with me directly about what may be workable.

Reduced-fee availability is limited and depends on current caseload and scheduling, so I cannot guarantee that an opening will be available. When it is, we can discuss a fee that feels realistic while still allowing the practice to remain sustainable.

If you are considering working together and have concerns about cost, please ask. I would rather have a straightforward conversation about it than have you assume therapy is out of reach.

For Individual Therapy:
In your first session, we’ll start by getting a clear picture of what brings you in and what you’re hoping to get out of therapy. We’ll talk about your current challenges, relevant personal or professional history, and any goals you’ve identified. I’ll ask thoughtful, focused questions to begin understanding your emotional patterns, strengths, and areas of stress. We’ll also review how therapy works, what kind of support you’re looking for, and whether you prefer a more structured, goal-oriented approach or something more reflective. By the end of the session, you’ll have a sense of direction, a plan for moving forward, and hopefully, a sense of relief that you’ve taken the first step.

For Couples Therapy:
The first couples session is a working session - structured and collaborative. We’ll begin by outlining your reasons for coming, and I’ll help you both identify the core dynamics at play in your relationship. You’ll each have a chance to speak openly while I guide the process to ensure emotional safety, reduce blame, and surface the patterns underneath your conflicts. I’ll gather information about your history as a couple, current concerns, and areas where you feel stuck or disconnected. You can expect to leave with a clearer understanding of how therapy will help, what each of you can expect from me, and what the first steps toward change will look like. My role is to help you feel supported and challenged - not as a referee, but as a strategic partner in helping you reconnect.

How long you’ll need to be in therapy depends on your goals, the complexity of what you’re working through, and how actively you engage in the process. Some clients benefit from just a few focused sessions to get clarity and tools, while others choose to work together over a longer period to address deeper patterns or ongoing challenges. I’ll always be transparent about what I’m seeing, offer a roadmap based on your needs, and check in regularly to make sure therapy is working for you. My approach is results-oriented, which means we’re not meeting just to talk - we’re working toward meaningful, lasting change, and you’ll always know why we’re doing what we’re doing.

I hold a small, private caseload and practice under the confidentiality requirements of Florida and Ontario law, as well as the NASW Code of Ethics. Because I do not bill insurance, no third party reviews your file or receives your diagnosis. Session notes are kept to the clinical minimum required.