FAQs

Are afterhours appointments available?

Yes! In addition to daytime appointments, Terri sees patients 2 evenings a week.

Are remote telehealth sessions available?

YES! Terri has been offering online Teletherapy sessions to her clients for over 6 years. In simplest terms, Teletherapy is the delivery of therapy services over the phone or through a videoconferencing platform. Terri uses a software program called “Secure Video” which is highly reliable and easy to use.  The video session is NOT recorded, is fully encrypted and complies with all HIPPA regulations to ensure the protection of your privacy.

The only equipment required on your end is a reliable wireless internet connection and a device with a camera (for example, a phone, laptop or tablet). This service enables you to meet with her at times and from locations that are most convenient for you. 

Are you available for in-office sessions yet? If not when are you expecting to go back?

Great question. Due to the ever evolving nature of Covid-19 & public health recommendations related to the more highly transmissible variants, Terri is currently offering a combination of both telehealth sessions & in office sessions to fully vaccinated clients.

I feel nervous about seeing a sex therapist - is it normal to feel anxious about it?

It is completely normal and to be expected that you might feel awkward when talking to a therapist for the first time, even more so when seeking the services of a sex therapist. Most people have no idea what to expect when consulting a sex therapist, so they come in with a lot of anxiety and questions. And while Terri will likely ask you personal questions as part of her assessment & history taking, getting your consent beforehand will always be her top priority. Please be assured that Terri will take great care to make you feel as safe and comfortable as possible. Most clients say that she puts you at ease quickly. 

Do you work with children and families?

No, sorry. Working with children requires specialized training and experience that she does not possess. Performing high quality family therapy also requires a skill set that Terri has not developed beyond her early years & basic training. Terri’s practice is adults only.

I’m not looking to start therapy right now, but I do have some questions about sex, dating & relationships that I need some help with.

You’ve come to the right place! Terri is happy to offer you a one-time consultation appointment to answer some of your “is this normal?” type sex questions. Having worked for many years in higher education, she has a strong background in sexual health education, so she is perfectly capable of answering your private or embarrassing questions, providing education, sharing resources, and even offering dating coaching services.

Why don’t you accept my insurance?

Terri made the decision to not work with insurance companies in order to have more control over her practice and your treatment. Rather than having health insurance companies dictate all aspects of clinical treatment, Terri prefers to offer personalized treatment tailored specifically to you and your unique circumstances and needs. 

Will couples counseling save my marriage?

The most honest answer to this question is - it’s up to you.

Although there are no guarantees, Terri has worked with hundreds of couples who have totally turned their relationships around.

How?

Consistent with research from the Gottman’s Institute, Terri has observed that couples who get better and report happy, stable, and lasting relationships have some important things in common: For example: they seek help sooner than later; they display high levels of motivation and commitment to working on being the partner they want to be, regardless of their partner’s efforts; they practice new behaviors learned in therapy; they are able to identify goals for self-change; they are willing to be vulnerable; they prioritize their partner’s emotional safety; they take ownership of their part in relationship difficulties; they express curiosity & have empathy for their partner’s experience; they are good listeners; they know how to calm themselves when triggered; they function as a team, to name just a few.

Therapists serve as guides, facilitators, coaches and teachers, but sadly they cannot come home with you, give you a magic pill, or make your partner change against their will. Ultimately, the work of your relationship is in your hands.

The question you want to ask yourself as you begin this process is: What are you willing to change in yourself to have the kind of relationship you desire?

There are so many different kinds of therapists and treatments out there; I think I just want a place to vent. Is Terri the right therapist for me?

Terri’s approach to therapy, at it’s core, is about listening and providing a safe and accepting space. But that space is a simply springboard for deeper work involving changing and growing. Clients who are motivated to do more than just vent & who really want to work on themselves benefit most from working with her.

Is your practice LGBTQ+ and Kink-Friendly?

Absolutely! Terri enthusiastically welcomes and has extensive experience working with a broad spectrum of individuals, including those who identify as LGBTQ+ as well as with alternative lifestyles, sexualities, identities, and relationship structures.

I’m not sure if I have postpartum depression. Mostly, I feel super anxious and overwhelmed.

Although not as well known or talked about, many women experience anxiety during pregnancy and post-partum. While some women may have had anxiety prior to becoming pregnant/having a baby, for many, anxiety is triggered during this time. If you have concerns about your anxiety, mood, scary thoughts, or depressive symptoms, don’t wait to get help. Terri will assess your symptoms and design a personalized treatment plan to get you back to feeling like your old self.

Are you comfortable working with people from different cultures & backgrounds?

YES! Way back when, Terri was an undergraduate Sociology major because of her interest in understanding systems & institutions and her commitment to social justice issues. Her therapy practice has always been diversity informed, and she welcomes clients of all racial, cultural, socio-economic class and religious backgrounds. It is her highest priority to be a safe space for all marginalized identities.

My partner won’t come to therapy with me to work on our marriage. Any ideas?

I’m glad you asked. Did you know that there happens to be a lot of research that says there are things you can do - on your own - to change things for the better in your relationship? Yup its true. Terri has worked with many individual clients who, when they have been able to change their behavior, observe positive changes in their partner’s behavior and the relationship.

How long does therapy last?

Terri’s goal is to get you feeling and doing better as quickly as possible. Some people benefit from just a one-time consultation. But most of the work she does falls into the category of short-term therapy (up to 6-12 months). That being said, depending on the nature of the presenting issues and your personalized treatment plan, longer term work may be indicated. Typically, sessions are scheduled on a weekly basis. Once symptoms begin to subside and functioning improves, sessions are often spread out to bi-weekly and then monthly maintenance. Progress will be reviewed on a regular basis, and finishing therapy is a decision between the client and therapist.

Do you have a cancellation policy?

Yes. Like most businesses these days, she requires 24 hour notice if you wish to cancel an appointment or late-cancel/no-show fees will be issued.

Do you assign homework?

Yes. Someone once said that insight without action is merely interesting. Consistent with your personalized treatment plan, Terri will encourage you to identify your goals for therapy, and she will recommend that you experiment with behavioral changes in between sessions. This is particularly true for those who are seeking sex therapy where she often recommends practicing mindfulness and Sensate Focus exercises either alone or with a partner. Truth: our intimate relationships will not survive on auto-pilot. Nurturing our relationships and sex lives means more than just talking about things or processing our feelings– it requires personal action – applying daily behaviors, practices and gestures that fuel lasting change.  If you’re ready to grow and change, Terri is the therapist for you!

Can you prescribe medication?

Nope. Terri is not a medical doctor, psychiatrist or nurse practitioner. If you are interested in trying medication as part of your treatment plan, Terri is happy to discuss this with you and provide you with some good referrals for a medication evaluation. 

Will you give me advice and tell me what to do with my life?

As much as it seems like that’s what therapist do these days (thank you, Dr. Phil), therapists are trained not to give explicit advice. Terri may give recommendations, suggestions, and occasional professional opinions, but she will never tell you what to do. Therapy will help empower YOU to better understand & accept yourself, set goals, explore your options, gain clarity in your decision making, manage your emotions & stress, resolve inner conflicts, and offer you the tools to find your own answers & figure out your life.

As a relationship expert, does that mean you have perfect relationships? If not, how can you help others?

Despite what you see on Instagram, there are no perfect people, and there are no perfect relationships. That being said, Terri herself values personal growth and may at times share salient examples of both her successes and failures and of the ways that she faithfully practices what she preaches in her own relationships. You can trust that you are in capable hands– and that she keeps up to date in the latest science-based research & treatments in the field of sex and relationships.

Why chose Terri over a therapist in my network?

Of course, you have a number of options. And to be fair, choosing a therapist is a pretty important decision, one not to be taken lightly. Exploring your options is a good thing. Some things to know about Terri’s practice: She has worked hard to become an expert in her field, and she will work just as hard for YOU. She will treat you with care and respect, and you will feel it.  Terri understands that therapy is a big investment of time and money, and she is not interested in stringing anyone along. She will tell you in the beginning if she thinks she can be helpful to you; and if she can, she will provide evidenced based treatment that works. Clients have consistently described her services as well worth paying out of pocket for.

Are there issues or populations that you specifically do not treat?

Excellent question. Terri does not work with forensics clients or clients who have been mandated to treatment by the courts, workplaces, etc. This includes: clients who have engaged in non-consensual sexual behaviors; illegal behaviors; intimate partner violence; among others. Terri is able to offer referrals to clients seeking specialized treatment in these areas.

Patients who require more specialized services such as those struggling with addictions, eating disorders, and complex trauma & safety issues may also receive referrals, depending on the severity of symptoms and Terri’s professional judgment.

Do you treat sex & porn addiction?

Yes. Terri has successfully helped many men, women & couples with problems related to compulsive sexual behaviors. Terri’s approach to treating problematic sexual behaviors (which may include problematic use of online pornography, among other behaviors) is rooted in the Douglas Braun-Harvey & Michael Vigorito evidence based, non-shaming, non-pathologizing treatment model which emphasizes sexual health principles as the framework to guide sexual behavior change. At times, however, she may recommend that clients’ attend SLAA meetings as part of their individualized treatment plans to stop or moderate certain problematic behaviors.

Sex therapists utilize a sexual health model that understands that even though some people may feel out of control and driven by intense urges & obsessive thoughts, that often these behaviors are driven not necessarily by an addictive brain, but by shame, inner values conflict, trauma, and undiagnosed mental health issues such as OCD, Anxiety, ADHD, Depression & other Mood disorders.

In line with the philosophy of her credentialing organization (AASECT), Terri does not view or treat sexually compulsive behavior or out of control sexual behavior as an addiction, and clients are encouraged to review the following position statement for clarification:

“AASECT recognizes that people may experience significant physical, psychological, spiritual and sexual health consequences related to their sexual urges, thoughts or behaviors. AASECT recommends that its members utilize models that do not unduly pathologize consensual sexual behaviors. AASECT 1) does not find sufficient empirical evidence to support the classification of sex addiction or porn addiction as a mental health disorder, and 2) does not find the sexual addiction training and treatment methods and educational pedagogies to be adequately informed by accurate human sexuality knowledge. Therefore, it is the position of AASECT that linking problems related to sexual urges, thoughts or behaviors to a porn/sexual addiction process cannot be advanced by AASECT as a standard of practice for sexuality education delivery, counseling or therapy.” ~AASECT Position Statement

How long will it take to get a return call or email after I reach out?

Terri does her very best to respond to all calls and emails within 48 hrs. Inquires on Friday or the weekend will be responded to on Monday, the following week.

There are times, however, when due to various life circumstances (she is taking time off, illness, or her practice is full), she may take longer. The number one reason why therapists don’t return calls is that their practice is full, and they are not taking new patients. And as frustrating as this is, Terri would recommend that if she hasn’t gotten back to you as quickly as you had hoped, that you try again. Given that Terri sometimes gets as many as 2 or 3 inquiries for service per day, & she does not have a personal assistant, emails are Terri’s preferred method of contact and may get a quicker response. Therapists are human and make mistakes. And your patience is much appreciated.

Do you offer group therapy?

Terri doesn’t currently have any groups going, but she is in the planning process of offering a sexual health and recovery support group to breast and other GYN cancer survivors. Feel free to contact Terri for more information about when this might be available.