Not every difficult situation requires therapy. Sometimes life gets complicated, relationships become challenging, or you find yourself facing decisions you aren't sure how to navigate.

Both counseling and coaching can provide valuable support. The difference is in what you need and what you hope to accomplish.

When Counseling May Be Right for You

Counseling is a licensed mental health service that may involve assessing and treating conditions such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and other emotional challenges.

When using health insurance, a mental health diagnosis is generally required for billing purposes. Counselors use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) to help identify mental health conditions and the corresponding ICD-10-CM diagnostic codes for insurance claims. This information becomes part of your healthcare record.

Counseling can involve exploring your past, addressing present challenges, or both. It can also be brief, practical, and goal-oriented.

When Coaching May Be Right for You

Maybe you're generally emotionally healthy and functioning well, but you're dealing with a difficult situation and want help figuring out what to do next.

Perhaps you're navigating a high-conflict divorce, struggling with a controlling family member, having difficulty establishing boundaries, or questioning your own decisions.

You may already understand your past and how it has shaped you. Great. And if you don't? That's okay, too.

You don't have to unpack your entire life to start making changes today.

Coaching focuses on the issue at hand. Together, we'll identify the challenges you're facing, clarify your goals, explore your options, and develop practical steps to help you move forward.

My approach is direct, supportive, and focused on helping you take action.

For some clients, three to six focused sessions may provide the clarity and direction they're looking for.

What About Privacy and Insurance?

Coaching is a private-pay service. Because it is not mental health treatment, it does not require a mental health diagnosis or involve submitting psychotherapy claims to your insurance company.

Your information is treated with discretion, although coaching does not necessarily have the same legal confidentiality and privilege protections as licensed psychotherapy.

Private-pay counseling is also an option in certain circumstances, subject to insurance contracts and applicable requirements.

Privacy & Confidentiality

Counseling: Counseling is protected by professional confidentiality laws and generally includes therapist–client privilege, with certain legal exceptions. When using insurance, a diagnosis and billing information are shared with your insurance provider.

Coaching: Coaching is private-pay and does not require a mental health diagnosis or insurance billing. Conversations are treated confidentially, but coaching may not have the same legal protections as counseling, particularly in court proceedings.

Your privacy matters to me, regardless of which service you choose.