FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
As I teach my clients, I have placed a value on my time that makes me feel comfortable in considering my investment in getting here and what I could be doing with my time if it were not "sold". This basis is my hourly fee of $250. Being very empathic and people oriented I like to package my services - my time - in ways that create a win-win for both my clients and myself. If I can count on a regular monthly retainer that's good for my financial stability ... I reward that agreement by equalizing every month regardless of the number sessions in it. If my client is willing to pay for a period time or a complete package of sessions or a long-term group in advance, I reward that trust and personal investment with a nice discount because it also saves me time, energy and money in bookkeeping! I also reserve the right to do pro-bono work whenever possible, to take on low fee clients I know will benefit greatly from the work I can do with them ... and in order to do so I must expect those that can afford well priced services, to pay for them fully.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I am always studying Spiritual Enlightenment, Social Consciousness, Cultural movements, Coaching and Counseling methodologies. I go to workshops, seminars, classes, groups and conferences as much as time permits.
- How did you get started doing this type of work?
All my life people had said: "you should be a therapist", "you should be a counselor", etc. In may ways I did that, but was never interested in institutional education, higher degrees or Psychology. Instead I worked in natural health care education, career counseling, cosmetic/hair/beauty pageant consulting and other such people oriented work. My choice to become a professional Counselor was a late life decision based on default opportunity. Because of a series of circumstances I found myself back in college at 50 years old. At that age, with no material assets I realized I would be working for the rest of my life, so I needed to find something that age would not hinder and aging would not end. I figured I could sit and talk with people until about 10 minutes before dead! I have always loved my relationships with people, my time and sharing with people more than any other activity, so this felt natural and like it made good use of my personal style and preferences. The second week of my MFT program I fell in love and knew I had finally found myself - my calling!