Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

I see clients virtually in the following states: Virginia, DC, Maryland, Michigan, and Indiana.

I am in network with BCBS PPO plans (not HMO plans).

Absolutely. As a private pay client, consider these options:

• Bi-weekly Sessions: Scheduling sessions every other week can reduce costs while maintaining therapeutic progress.

• Sliding Scale: We offer a limited number of reduced-rate slots to accommodate financial needs.

• Out-of-Network Benefits: Many insurance plans provide out-of-network coverage. We can supply necessary documentation for reimbursement.

We require a minimum of 48 hours' notice for cancellations. Cancellations made within this period, or missed appointments, incur a $150 fee.

Stopping a panic attack requires you to do the exact opposite of what you’ve been doing: run towards it. Ask for more of it, fully surrendering to the sensations, thoughts, and emotions. Let the panic attack move through you, instead of pushing it away. This is what breaks the cycle of the fear and panic response. It can feel uncomfortable and counterproductive when you first try, so it can take practice. Read more about how to run towards your panic here. 

Yes! But recovery from panic disorder isn’t necessarily defined by not having panic attacks anymore. Instead, recovery can be more about what you do when you have a panic attack. The goal here is to embrace your anxiety and panic with open arms, signalling that you are no longer fearing it by pushing it away. Then, panic attacks tend to reduce in frequency. So yes, recovery is definitely possible! Click here to read panic attack recovery stories from other people. 

Panic attacks typically last around 30 minutes after hitting a peak and then coming down. Some attacks can be shorter or last longer than 30 minutes. Treatment and recovery from panic disorder depends on the person, but can sometimes take a few years for full recovery. This is because your brain is rewiring how it responds to fear which can take time. Recovery time also depends on how often you are exposing yourself to the panic attack and how often you practice changing your response to them. 

Yes, medication is not required for recovery from panic attacks, but some people find it very useful to have in the process! I recommend you speak with a psychiatrist or your doctor about medication options or any questions or concerns you may have about taking medication.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured, evidence-based therapy that helps your brain process traumatic experiences more effectively. If you’ve recently experienced a traumatic event and are struggling with PTSD symptoms, EMDR works by using bilateral stimulation (such as guided eye movements) to help you reprocess distressing memories so they no longer trigger overwhelming emotions. The goal is to desensitize the emotional charge of recent trauma and create new, adaptive beliefs about yourself and your experience.

Yes! Virtual EMDR therapy is just as effective as in-person sessions. If your schedule is packed or you want privacy, online sessions allow you to get the trauma healing you need without the added stress of commuting. Sessions are conducted via a secure video platform, and bilateral stimulation can be done using guided eye movements, tapping, or audio tones.

BLS involves alternating stimulation of both hemispheres of the brain through eye movements, auditory cues, or tactile taps. This process helps reduce the distress linked to specific memories or situations during EMDR sessions.