*Image is not of an actual patient

Frequently Asked Questions

What services do you offer?

I treat adults, age 18 and older, with a focus on concerns and conditions related to:

  • Stress

  • Burnout (including among healthcare workers and professionals)

  • Anxiety

    • Generalized anxiety

    • Social Anxiety

    • Performance anxiety

    • Agoraphobia and other specific phobias

    • Perinatal and post-partum anxiety

    • Panic Disorder (for those seeking therapy treatment, with or without non-controlled medications)

  • Life changes and challenges or difficult adjustment

  • Perfectionism

  • Self-critical thoughts

  • Depression (including in medical conditions, bipolar II disorder, and during pregnancy, post-partum, and perimenopause)

  • OCD

  • Trauma-related conditions

    • PTSD

    • Complex trauma or CPTSD

    • Dissociation

    • Nightmares

    • Moral injury

    • Effects of childhood trauma in adults

  • Grief and Loss (including traumatic loss)

  • Self-esteem

  • Feeling stuck in patterns of behavior that affect your work, relationships, or ability to feel fully engaged in life.

  • Women’s mental health concerns including:

    • Peripartum and postpartum depression, anxiety, PTSD, and OCD, including during pregnancy and lactation

    • Miscarriage and Infant Loss

    • Stress of transitions to parenthood or into other caregiving roles

    • Perimenopausal depression, anxiety, and panic

I offer individual psychotherapy services including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, and integrative therapies. I am certified as a Clinical Trauma Professional. I tailor trauma therapy to the individual using an integrative therapy model that draws on the latest in our understanding of how trauma affects our body, mood, perspectives, and relationships.

In addition to psychotherapy treatment, I offer medications for symptoms such as depression and anxiety. I do not prescribe controlled medications over telehealth (see below for “Are there conditions you don’t treat?”).

Can I see you only for medication management?

While I offer the option for medication in addition to therapy (and only if it would be helpful for an individual’s concerns), this is a psychotherapy-focused practice. It is my experience that medication works best when combined with therapy. Most patients engage in weekly therapy in the beginning as we work together on their personal therapy goals. If you are looking just for a prescription, such as for ADHD with no other concerns, this practice would not be a good fit for your needs.

I already have a therapist, can I see you just for medication?

As a psychotherapy-focused practice, I do not offer split-treatment (where two professionals treat you for the same concern). Exceptions to this are made when very specialized treatment is required, but this must be discussed in advance. It would not be considered split-treatment if you see someone for coaching, as coaching is not therapy or counseling and does not treat psychological symptoms or psychiatric conditions.

Do you offer couples or family therapy?

This practice focuses on individual treatment. While there may be times that family or a significant other are involved in a patient’s care, almost all therapy sessions will be one-on-one.

Are there conditions you don’t treat?

Not all conditions or situations are appropriate for telehealth. This practice does not treat conditions that I feel cannot be both safely or effectively treated through my online services, or that are otherwise outside of the scope of this practice or my training. There may also be individual circumstances that make telehealth treatment less optimal or not possible. The most important thing is for you to receive safe, effective treatment, whether or not that is with me. Conditions not treated at this practice include:

  • Individuals needing us to provide controlled substance prescription(s). For patient safety, it is New Directions Psychiatry PLLC policy not to prescribe controlled substances to telehealth patients. Controlled substances include medications like benzodiazepines, sedatives, hypnotics, opioids, and stimulants. Note that there are non-controlled medications and non-medication treatments that can be used for the treatment of many psychiatric conditions, including ADHD and anxiety, but individual needs vary.

  • This psychotherapy-oriented practice does not perform Disability Evaluations or Fitness for Duty Evaluations (including Transporation/Aviation, or for carrying firearms), expert testimony, Forensic Evaluations, or other assessments for legal cases (such as divorce or child custody/parental fitness). I am a clinical adult psychiatrist offering treatment services. Professional ethics prohibit psychiatrists from acting as both treating physician and as evaluator of a patient for a third party (such as an employer or for legal purposes). I am not forensically trained, meaning I have not done sub-specialty training in legal issues as they relate to psychiatry. This practice does not offer legal / Forensic Psychiatry evaluations.

  • Current suicidal thoughts with intent to act on them, current homicidal thoughts, or a suicide attempt or other major self-harm in the past six months. This would require a higher level of care than this practice is equipped to provide.

  • Current substance use disorder, or needing maintenance medications used in the treatment of opioid use disorders. I am not an addictionologist. However, in certain situations, I may be able assist with mood or anxiety symptoms in individuals that are receiving treatment for substance use, have had an extended period of sobriety from alcohol use, or certain other remote (having occurred in the past) substance use disorders that are in remission. If you have had issues with substance use, it is very important to discuss this with me when requesting an appointment, so I can determine if what I can offer you would be helpful. I sincerely want you to receive care that would be as beneficial, safe, and cost-effective as possible.

  • Active disordered eating, including eating disorders such as bulimia, anorexia nervosa, or orthorexia. Treatment of purging (self-inducted vomiting or use of purgatives), over-use of laxatives or diet pills, or severe calorie restriction.

  • Paraphilias (including pedophilia)

  • Other conditions or individual situations where I determine in my professional opinion that telehealth would not be both safe and beneficial for the patient, or if the practice is not equipped to provide the necessary treatment or level of care or the condition or treatment falls outside the scope of the doctor’s training.

Are all appointments virtual? What kind of equipment do I need?

All appointments are currently online using a live audio and visual stream. Telehealth appointments are available to residents of Kentucky and Tennessee. Locations served

The technology that people already have, or have access to, is usually sufficient:

You will need a computer or smartphone (iOS, Android) with a working camera, speakers, and microphone. To support the live videoconferencing visit, you will also need a reliable broadband internet connection (wired or wireless) or stable access to a mobile 3G or 4G/LTE connection in a private, safe location. Your internet speed should be at least 1.2 Mbps (upload and download speed) to use the videoconferencing application. Most internet connections meet these requirements. In general, the higher the internet speed, the smoother and more stable the video connection will be.

Most browsers are supported by the videoconferencing platform (including Edge, Safari, and Firefox). It is recommended that you have at least 4 Gb of RAM on your computer.

Using a higher-quality webcam can be helpful for the visit. It can help the physician pick up on more subtle findings. Also, it may make the interaction feel more natural. If possible, though not required, a webcam with 720p or 1080p resolution is recommended. Usually, a minimum bandwidth of 3.8 Mbps (upload) and 3.0 (download) is needed to support a 1080p live videoconferencing session.

It is a good idea to have a thermometer at home. Some patients may have conditions or take certain medications where monitoring blood pressure or weight is important. I will talk with you about any equipment that might be needed for your specific situation.

I don’t have internet access at home. Can I still make an appointment?

Online visits, like any medical appointment, require that you be able to share important private information with your doctor so they can treat you safely. You will need a private, safe space to access the internet and have audio and video capability. This may not be in your home, though should be somewhere that you feel comfortable, can go on a regular basis for any needed appointments, and are permitted to remain in privacy throughout your appointment time. It is strongly recommended you use a secure (password protected) internet connection for your visits.

Are you in my time zone?

Our office operates in the Central Time Zone, though we will do our best to ensure you are aware of the time difference if you are on Eastern Time. Appointment reminders are automatically converted to your time zone based on your home zip code.

What is the process for setting up an appointment?

To request an appointment, call the number provided on our contact page. Leave your name and number and a time you would be able to take an administrative return call. The return call usually lasts about fifteen minutes. For your privacy, you will receive a call back from a number which is marked “Private” on caller ID. This return call is for the logistics of setting up an appointment and does not necessarily guarantee an appointment or doctor-patient relationship. No diagnosis is made or treatment provided during this call. You will have the opportunity to ask questions about the practice and services, and, if interested, you will then be asked a few questions to determine if our services fit your needs.

If so, you will receive a link to a secure portal that contains the kinds of documents and forms commonly filled out for any doctor’s office visit, such as our practice policies, as well as a telehealth consent form. To hold a 90-120 minute New Patient Evaluation appointment time, a deposit may be required.

What if I feel like I am in crisis right now?

New Directions Psychiatry PLLC is not a crisis service. If you feel suicidal, are having thoughts of hurting yourself or others, or feel you have an emergent psychiatric or other medical need, call 911 or your local crisis service. Call or text 988 to reach the National 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, a free service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the purpose of supporting people in distress or crisis. Deaf and hard of hearing may contact the Lifeline via TTY, use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.

What can I expect at my first appointment?

You will receive written instructions with visuals on how to log into your telehealth appointment.

I will listen to your concerns, symptoms, and how your life has been impacted. I will ask about non-psychiatric medical conditions, activity, nutrition, and social supports. You never have to discuss more than you are ready to about any trauma you have experienced. If possible, a diagnosis may be made. However, sometimes more information is needed such as labs, records, or other information. For this reason, please do not expect medication or therapy will be initiated at the New Patient Evaluation.

How often would we meet?

When beginning psychotherapy, most patients are seen weekly or every other week. The number of therapy sessions needed varies widely among patients, depending on individual needs and patient goals.

What is fee-for-service? Do you take my insurance?

A patient pays a set amount for the type of services they receive. This is due at the time of the visit or service, and is paid directly to the physician, or to his or her practice. There are no external pressures being placed on the physician by an insurer or system concerning what kind of care you should receive. Treatment decisions are made between you and your doctor. Many patients also feel that there is more privacy with fee-for-service.

For more information, please see our Fees and Services page, the No Surprise Act and Good Faith Estimate, and Why Don’t You Take Insurance?.

How much does a visit cost? What is your rate?

Fees are based on the visit or service type. See the Fees and Services page here. Not all fees are listed on this page, as some services are less commonly used or provided on patient request. Examples include, but are not limited to, patient requested forms or reports completed outside of visit time. Please ask if you are looking for specific services. Prospective patients will receive the full Fees and Services List along with a Good Faith Estimate.