Frequently Asked Questions

How does therapy work?

Therapy is a collaborative, paced process where we create a safe space to explore your story, clarify what matters to you, and identify patterns that keep you stuck; together we set meaningful goals and choose evidence‑based tools that fit your life. We practice skills in session, translate them into small experiments between meetings, and reflect on what helps so the plan evolves with your progress. Over time insight, repeated practice, and compassionate accountability build resilience, reduce symptoms, and restore a stronger sense of agency and connection.

Is what I say in session private?

Confidentiality is the foundation of our work: I protect what you share so you can speak honestly and safely; your clinical records and communications are treated as protected health information under HIPAA, stored securely, shared only with your written consent, and limited to the minimum necessary for care. There are important, legally required exceptions I will always explain up front — if you present an imminent risk of harm to yourself or others, disclose ongoing child or vulnerable adult abuse, or if a court orders release of records — and I will tell you if I must break confidentiality. You have rights under HIPAA to see and request amendments to your records, to receive a notice of privacy practices, and to be informed if a privacy breach affects your information; I follow administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to keep your data private and will coordinate with other providers only with your permission unless an exception applies.

Do you take insurance?

I currently do not accept insurance, but I am happy to provide you with a superbill that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.

What if I can't afford the whole fee?

At Sarasota Counseling, we offer a sliding scale which means we are willing to negotiate our fees based on client need. We do this so we can ensure all people have access to the care they need. Please speak directly with Amy if you have questions or would like to arrange for a negotiated rate.

What kind of therapy do you do?

I practice an integrative, trauma‑informed model that centers client values and relationship repair while using evidence‑based skills to reduce symptoms. I like to combine Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to build psychological flexibility; CBT to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors; psychodynamic work to uncover relational patterns; EFT and Gottman techniques for couples; and systems‑oriented interventions for family and contextual issues. Sessions emphasize safety, collaborative formulation, measurable goals, between‑session experiments, and skill consolidation so clients improve functioning, strengthen relationships, and align actions with what matters most.

Do you see clients in person or virtually?

I see clients both in person at my office near the intersection of Fruitville Road and Tuttle Avenue and virtually via a link I will provide. For telehealth, I use a program called Doxy which encrypts data , conducts regular security testing and is HIPAA compliant. This ensures a high degree of confidentiality and secure protection for all your information.

What if I would like to talk to a therapist first before committing to paying for a session?

At Sarasota Counseling, we are happy to provide a free 15 minute consultation to discuss your needs and my therapeutic approach. I find this to be a good way to begin our therapeutic relationship and can be reassuring to clients. Taking the first step to pursue counseling is a big one and we want you to feel completely comfortable with your decision. Call or text Amy at 941-424-6225 to schedule your free consultation!

How do I schedule an appointment?

You can schedule an appointment by calling or texting Amy at 941-424-6225, emailing amy@sarasotaflcounseling.com or clicking the link below!

I'm looking forward to working with you!