Frequently asked questions
For those of you who get overwhelmed by lots of information, feel free to skim the answers to the questions you’re interested in. I can clarify anything you’re curious about when we talk.
For those of you who want to know all the details in order to feel safe, I hope this page will be supportive for you.
Do you offer in-person or virtual therapy options?
I primarily work with clients in-person because being together allows for co-regulation and creates a supportive environment that’s especially helpful when working with trauma or neurodivergence.
That said, I understand that life sometimes makes in-person sessions difficult, so I also offer virtual sessions as a flexible option when needed. I am licensed in Colorado and Texas, so I can see you virtually if you’re living outside of Denver, anywhere in Colorado or Texas.
Can I see you if I don’t have ADHD or AuADHD?
Yes!! I work with anyone dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression or the other areas of concern listed on my Services page - you don’t have to be NeuroSpicy.
Do you accept insurance?
Yes! I am in network with Kaiser Permanente.
What is private pay like? Do you offer a Sliding Scale?
My current rate is $190 per regular therapy session (approximately 60 mins). The first session is an Intake Session which is $270 (approximately 90 mins).
Yes, I keepp spots open for a sliding scale rate, so please contact me if you have further questions about this.
Are you LGBTQIA+ affirming?
Yes. I’m LGBTQIA+ affirming and welcome people of all identities. You belong here, exactly as you are.
What is Complex Trauma (CPTSD) and what are emotional flashbacks?
As defined by Pete Walker: Complex trauma (or Complex PTSD) arises from ongoing emotional injury, often in the context of abandonment, neglect, or chronic mistreatment—typically from caregivers, family, or intimate relationships.
Unlike single-incident PTSD (like a car accident or assault), complex trauma comes from many small “t” traumas over time that shape a person’s nervous system, self-concept, and relationships.
Five key features of complex trauma:
Emotional Flashbacks:
Sudden waves of intense emotions (shame, fear, sadness, panic) triggered by current experiences that unconsciously echo past trauma.Unlike visual flashbacks in classic PTSD, these are felt more than seen.
Toxic Shame & Inner Critic:
A deeply ingrained belief of being defective, bad, or unworthy.Self-Abandonment:
A learned tendency to disconnect from one’s own needs, feelings, and boundaries to stay safe or please others.Attachment Wounds:
Difficulty trusting, asking for help, or feeling safe in relationships—swinging between isolation and codependence.Dysregulated Nervous System:
Chronic hypervigilance or numbness (fight, flight, freeze, or fawn states), often without knowing why.
What is neurodivergence?
Neurodivergence refers to the natural variations in how people think, process, and experience the world. It includes conditions such as ADHD and Autism (often called AuDHD when both are present), as well as other ways of being wired that differ from what’s considered “neurotypical.”
Many neurodivergent adults are insightful, creative, and capable—but may struggle with focus, overwhelm, emotional regulation, or feeling “too much” or “not enough” in a world not built for their nervous systems. My approach honors these differences, helping you work with your brain and body, rather than against them.
What is Self-Compassion?
Self-compassion isn’t about letting yourself off the hook; it’s about learning to relate to yourself with understanding instead of criticism. When you’ve experienced trauma, or when your brain works differently (like with ADHD or AuDHD), it’s common to internalize blame—believing you should just try harder, stay focused, or “get over it.”
In trauma work, self-compassion creates the safety and gentleness needed for real change. It helps calm the nervous system, reduce shame, and make room for curiosity rather than self-judgment. For neurodivergent folks, self-compassion also supports regulation and focus—it’s the foundation for sustainable growth, not another thing to achieve or perfect.
What does it mean to work from a nervous system perspective?
Working from a nervous system approach means paying close attention to how your body and mind respond to stress, relationships, and past experiences.
Trauma, anxiety, or ongoing challenges don’t just live in our thoughts—they also live in the body, often showing up as tension, overwhelm, shutdown, or reactivity. Together, we explore these patterns with curiosity and compassion, helping you learn how to notice what’s happening inside and respond in ways that create more balance and safety.
Instead of trying to “think your way out” of what you’re experiencing, we gently work with your body’s natural rhythms. You’ll learn practical tools to regulate your nervous system—things like grounding, breath-work, or simple somatic practices that help you feel more present and steady in the moment. Over time, this allows you to move through difficult feelings without being overtaken by them and to expand your capacity for calm, connection, and joy.
This approach is about more than just managing symptoms—it helps address the root of what you’re going through. By listening to your nervous system and teaching it new patterns of safety and regulation, you can experience deeper healing, greater resilience, and a stronger sense of trust in yourself.
What is EMDR and how is it different than regular talk therapy?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a powerful, evidence-based therapy that helps your brain and body process painful or overwhelming experiences.
EMDR doesn’t require you to retell or relive every detail of what happened. Instead, we use gentle, guided forms of bilateral stimulation to help your nervous system release stuck memories and emotional pain.
Bilateral stimulation is a key part of EMDR therapy that helps your brain reprocess difficult memories in a more balanced and adaptive way. It simply means activating both sides of the brain in a rhythmic, alternating pattern.
In my practice, I use gentle handheld buzzers that pulse back and forth from one hand to the other. This soothing, physical rhythm helps your nervous system stay grounded and present while processing experiences that once felt overwhelming. Most people find it calming and often notice a sense of relief or emotional release as we work.
I use EMDR to help clients heal from experiences such as childhood trauma, anxiety, loss, and relationship wounds. Over time, memories that once felt charged or distressing begin to lose their emotional intensity and feel more resolved, allowing you to feel calmer, clearer, and more present in your life. I only use EMDR with my clients in person.
What is Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) and how does it work for trauma/neurodivergence?
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a gentle, empowering approach that helps you understand and heal the different “parts” within you—like the parts that protect, criticize, worry, or carry pain.
Instead of trying to get rid of these parts, we get curious about them and discover how they’ve been trying to help.
As you develop more compassion and connection with yourself, those inner parts can begin to relax, and you can access a calmer, wiser inner core—what IFS calls the Self. From this place, real healing and emotional balance become possible.
What is Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) and how does Leasel help?
Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) is a type of therapy that incorporates animals to support emotional healing and connection. In my practice, my therapy dog, Leasel, joins sessions to help create a calm, safe, and grounding environment.
Interacting with Leasel can help reduce anxiety, provide comfort, and make it easier to access emotions or explore difficult experiences.
AAT is a gentle, supportive tool that complements EMDR, IFS, and other trauma-focused therapies, helping clients feel more relaxed, present, and understood.
To read more about this, please check out the About Me & Leasel section.
What are Conscious Living principles and practices?
Conscious Living practices come from the work of Katie and Gay Hendricks, whose approach centers on bringing more awareness, honesty, and presence into daily life and relationships.
These principles invite us to notice where we’re out of integrity with ourselves—when we’re holding back, over-giving, or operating from fear—and to gently return to authenticity, choice, and responsibility.
In therapy, this might look like slowing down to notice body signals, uncovering old patterns that keep you stuck, and learning to respond from awareness rather than reactivity.
The goal is to live and relate from a more grounded, wholehearted place—where you can experience greater ease, connection, and joy.
How do I know if therapy is working?
You’ll know therapy is working when you start to feel more connected to yourself and your emotions, even in small ways. You might notice you can handle difficult moments with more calm, feel less stuck in self-doubt or shame, or respond to past triggers with curiosity instead of overwhelm.
Progress can also show up as clearer boundaries, more confidence in your choices, or a deeper sense of self-trust. We’ll check in together along the way, celebrating shifts and adjusting our approach so your work in therapy truly supports your healing journey.
How long does it take to see results?
The pace of healing varies for each person and depends on your goals, the depth of past experiences, and your readiness.
Some clients notice relief or shifts in just a few sessions, while deeper, lasting transformation often takes months.
Therapy is about creating sustainable change, and I’ll support you every step of the way—celebrating progress, helping you navigate challenges, and equipping you with tools to feel more balanced, resilient, and empowered.
If you could only recommend 2 books to help people with their healing, which ones would they be?
That’s almost an impossible question to answer, but if i could only pick 2 books, they would be - Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving by Pete Walker and Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Kristin Neff.
There are so many great books, and I’m a big believer in bibliotherapy (a therapeutic approach employing books and other forms of literature), but these 2 books are a great place to start. I’d also recommend reading anything by Brene Brown, and following work on IG, YouTube, and Podcasts by Nate Postlethwait.
How do I schedule a session?
If you’re interested in working with me, please reach out to me via text, phone, or email and we can set up a FREE consultation call to see if we’d be a good fit to work together.