FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is holistic counseling?
Holistic counseling is based on the principle that the mental, physical, relational, and spiritual aspects of a person are deeply interconnected and work together to support a sense of wholeness. When one area is struggling, the others are often affected as well.
I don’t work from the traditional medical model of mental health, which tends to focus on diagnosing and labeling symptoms. While some people find diagnoses helpful, I often find them limiting and not fully reflective of your life, history, or strengths. My focus is on understanding your experience, not assigning a label.
Holistic counselors believe that mental health shouldn't be treated separately from the rest of who you are. In our work together, we’ll talk about your thoughts, beliefs, values, and emotions. We may also explore your physical well-being, nutrition, lifestyle choices, work/life balance, and what gives your life a sense of meaning.
I'm not a doctor or medical professional, so I cannot diagnose or treat physical health conditions, and I don't prescribe psychiatric medication. However, we can talk about healthy habits and lifestyle changes that support your overall well-being.
We may also incorporate healing practices such as expressive arts, mindfulness, food diaries, or your personal spiritual beliefs, depending on what feels relevant and helpful to you.
How do you provide counseling without using DSM diagnoses? Will you still be able to support me if I have a serious diagnosis?
I don’t use DSM diagnoses as a way to define or limit the work we do together. While diagnostic labels can sometimes help people understand their experiences or access certain services, I find that they often don’t capture the full complexity of who you are. Instead, I focus on understanding your unique story, challenges, and strengths in context — this helps us create a personalized plan that fits your life.
If you have a serious diagnosis, like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, I absolutely support you. I work collaboratively with any other providers involved in your care, such as psychiatrists or medical doctors, to make sure your needs are fully met. My role is to provide counseling that respects your experience and supports your goals, whether that involves managing symptoms, improving quality of life, or navigating life challenges.
I’m also open and supportive if medication is part of your treatment plan — I believe in working alongside you and your prescribers to integrate medication thoughtfully, without judgment. Ultimately, my goal is to provide a respectful, flexible space that meets you where you are.
What is an LPC-Associate?
An LPC-Associate is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate. This means I am licensed by the state of Texas to provide counseling services under the supervision of a board-approved Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S).
To become an LPC-Associate, a person must earn a master’s degree in counseling or a related field from an accredited graduate program. These programs include a clinical internship, where students gain hands-on experience by working directly with clients.
LPC-Associates must also pass the National Counselor Examination and the Texas Jurisprudence Exam. The Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors requires LPC-Associates to complete 3,000 hours of supervised counseling experience before becoming fully licensed.
Throughout this process, LPC-Associates meet regularly with their supervisor, who provides guidance and support as they continue developing their professional skills.
I am trained and qualified to provide a range of counseling services and currently practice under the supervision of Sarah Arnold, MA, LPC-S. You can learn more about my background on the “About” page.
What will our first session be like?
Once your appointment is scheduled, I’ll send you some paperwork to complete and review before your first visit. This includes information about cancellation policies, confidentiality, fees, and contact details. I may also include a comprehensive holistic intake form, which asks about your current mood and physical symptoms, health and trauma history, lifestyle factors, family background, dietary habits, supplements and medications, pain levels, and past or present conditions.
Don’t worry — we’ll go through this information together during your first appointment. I also understand that it can feel overwhelming to disclose all of this at once. You’re encouraged to complete the form only to the extent that feels comfortable. We can treat it as a living document, something that grows and evolves along with our work together.
Our first few sessions will focus on gathering information to better understand the experiences that have shaped your worldview, needs, concerns, and goals. From there, we’ll continue to define your goals and create a plan to help you move toward them. The foundation of this process is your commitment and the relationship we build together.
Are your sessions in-person or virtual?
I am currently offering sessions both in-person and via telehealth.
What is your availability?
I currently have availability on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Where are you located?
The office is located in the Westlake area of Austin, right off Mopac and near Zilker Park.
What is your rate?
My fee is $125. Individual sessions are 50 minutes long.
Do you accept insurance?
At this time, I do not accept insurance.
Do you offer a sliding scale fee?
At this time, my sliding scale slots are currently full. I will update this section of the website when I have more sliding scale availability.
Still have questions?
Contact me, and we’ll set up a free 15-minute consultation. I look forward to talking to you!