Questions About Working Together

How to Get Started

1

Consultation Call

Schedule a free 15-minute consultation call. We’ll briefly connect to discuss what you’re looking for, answer any questions, and determine whether working together feels like the right fit.

2

Complete Paperwork

If you decide to move forward, you’ll fill out your intake forms and basic paperwork so I can begin understanding your needs and prepare for our work together.

3

Start Therapy

We’ll start with an intake session to take a deeper look at what’s bringing you in, identify key patterns, and begin shaping a thoughtful plan for therapy.

“Heather is truly amazing at what she does. Her expertise and guidance have had a life-changing impact on me. Working with her and using IFS (Internal Family Systems) has helped me understand myself on a much deeper level. Her compassionate approach and insight have made all the difference. I’m incredibly grateful for her support and would highly recommend her to anyone looking for meaningful, lasting change.”

— FREED MINDS CLIENT

FAQs

What types of clients do you work with?

I work with adult women who carry a lot. Many of my clients are high-responsibility women — professionals, caregivers, mothers, helpers, and partners — who are tired of holding everything together while quietly feeling depleted inside. They often come to therapy feeling burned out, overextended, resentful, emotionally alone, or disconnected from their own needs, and are ready to heal the deeper patterns underneath those struggles.

What can I expect in my first session?

The first session is a deeper intake session where we look at the full picture of what is bringing you to therapy. We will explore your current concerns, relevant history, recurring patterns, and what you hope to change. By this point, the consultation should have already helped us determine whether the fit feels right. The intake session is about gaining clarity and beginning to map out the right plan for our work together.

How long will therapy take?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Some clients come for focused support around a current season of stress or transition, while others benefit from longer-term work to address deeper, more longstanding patterns. While every person’s process is different, many clients begin to notice meaningful shifts within the first three months of consistent therapy. How quickly change happens can depend on the depth of what you’re working through, how consistently we meet, and how much capacity you have to engage in the process between sessions. Early in our work together, I can usually offer a rough sense of what your treatment path may look like based on your goals, needs, and the patterns you want to address.

Do you take insurance?

I am an out-of-network, private-pay practice. This allows me to offer more personalized, flexible, and depth-oriented care without the restrictions that often come with insurance-based treatment. If you would like to use out-of-network benefits, I can provide a superbill for you to submit to your insurance plan for possible reimbursement.

Why do some clients choose private-pay therapy?

Private-pay therapy is often a good fit for women who want more privacy, flexibility, consistency, and depth in their care. Some clients choose private pay because they do not want a diagnosis on record, want a therapist with a specific specialty or approach, or want therapy that looks at the whole person rather than focusing only on symptoms. Others value having more freedom in the pace, goals, and structure of therapy and want care that feels more personal than insurance-driven. Private-pay therapy is for people who want thoughtful, high-quality care with more privacy, flexibility, and depth.

What are your fees?

The intake session is $150.
Individual therapy sessions are $125.

Do you offer online therapy?

Yes. All sessions are offered virtually for clients in Illinois and Missouri. Online therapy offers a flexible, private, and accessible way to receive support from the comfort of your own space.

Do you offer a consultation?

Yes. I offer a free 15-minute consultation so we can briefly connect, talk through what you are looking for, and see whether working together feels like the right fit.

What issues do you help with?

I primarily work with high-functioning women who are struggling with burnout, people-pleasing, perfectionism, over-functioning, resentment, emotional loneliness, relationship strain, motherhood and caregiving stress, career pressure, and nervous-system dysregulation. Many of the women I work with are used to being the strong one for everyone else and are ready to understand and change the deeper patterns underneath that role.

What is therapy with you like?

Therapy with me is warm, thoughtful, collaborative, and depth-oriented. I integrate trauma-informed therapy, somatic work, nervous system regulation, work with protective patterns and different parts of the self, spirituality when desired, and practical support for change. My goal is not only to help you cope better, but to help you understand the deeper roots of your patterns, reconnect with yourself, and build a life that feels more boundaried, reciprocal, meaningful, and aligned.

How do I know if we are a good fit?

You may be a good fit if you are a woman who is used to being the strong one, often feels responsible for everything, and is ready for deeper work around burnout, over-functioning, self-neglect, and relational patterns. My practice is especially well-suited for women who want more than symptom relief and are looking for thoughtful, personalized therapy that supports healing on the level of mind, body, and spirit.

Do you incorporate spirituality into therapy?

Yes, but only when it is important to you. My approach is holistic and honors the connection between mind, body, and spirit. For clients who want it, therapy can include space for exploring meaning, purpose, spiritual beliefs, inner wisdom, and the deeper questions that often arise during seasons of burnout, transition, or healing. My role is never to impose beliefs, but to support you in a way that feels aligned with your values and worldview.

How often will we meet?

Most clients begin with weekly sessions, especially at the start of therapy. This helps create consistency, build momentum, and support meaningful change. As our work progresses, the frequency can be adjusted based on your needs, goals, and capacity.

Do you give homework or things to work on between sessions?

Sometimes, yes. When helpful and appropriate, I may offer reflection questions, between-session practices, or gentle tools to support integration and growth. These are always tailored to your goals and capacity rather than assigned in a rigid or one-size-fits-all way.

What is your approach to therapy?

My approach is holistic, trauma-informed, and personalized. I believe healing involves the whole person: mind, body, and spirit. Depending on your needs, our work may include emotional processing, pattern awareness, healing the effects of past experiences, nervous system support, boundary work, practical tools for daily life, and deeper exploration of meaning, values, and relationships.

What if I have never been to therapy before?

That is completely okay. You do not need to know exactly what to say or have everything figured out before starting. My role is to help guide the process, create a safe and supportive space, and meet you where you are.

What is your cancellation policy?

I ask for at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. Appointments canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice are charged a $50 late cancellation fee. Missed appointments without notice are charged a $100 no-show fee.

How do I get started?

The best place to begin is by scheduling a free 15-minute consultation. If we decide to move forward, I will send you the intake paperwork and next steps for booking your first session.

How can I get the most out of therapy?

To get the most out of therapy, it’s important to approach each session with openness and a willingness to explore your thoughts, behaviors and feelings. Being honest with yourself, even when it’s uncomfortable, can lead to deeper insights and growth. Regularly reflecting on what we discuss between sessions and applying new insights or techniques in your daily life can also make a significant difference. Remember, therapy is a collaborative process, and your active participation helps shape the direction and effectiveness of our work together.

Take the first step toward transformation.