Frequently Asked Questions & More
What programs are you currently running?
Check out the Calendar & Events Page for current and upcoming events, programming and more.
There, you can download, print or save my “Services Packet” of my current offerings and collaborations with community partners.
Do you take insurance?
I do not accept insurance. I am an out-of-network provider with all insurance plans.
In my experience, if you have out-of-network benefits through your insurance company, they may cover part of your cost.
At the end of each month, I provide a ‘superbill’ for you to provide to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.
Please note that most insurance companies require a psychiatric diagnosis in order to reimburse for mental health counseling.
Read a story by National Public Radio and learn why finding a therapist who takes your insurance can be nearly impossible.
Financial Assistance Available
Healing is an investment AND life in general is expensive right now. I offer a three month reduced fee plan so you can get the care you deserve AND feel less of a pinch. Inquire if you are in need.
Fees and GOOD FAITH ESTIMATE
Clinical fees are based on my license level, mode of service (1v1 vs. groups) areas of experience and specialized training.
Just like with your tattoo artist, pay is based on the artists level of experience, specialization and expertise.
Additionally, in order to stay proficient in my field, I am required by state and professional organizations (and my code of ethics) to engage in continuing education.
Specialized advanced trainings and certification renewals range from several hundreds to several thousands of dollars each, sometimes annually.
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost. Under the law, Public Health Service Act, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services. This is the “Good Faith Estimate.”
At GCP, you will receive a “Good Faith Estimate” after your initial consultation. During the initial fit consultation, we talk about why you are coming to therapy.
Not all the details, but enough information to give me an idea of the type of support you may need.
This discussion includes anticipated frequency of services based on a my preliminary clinical assessment and typical treatment durations.
FREE Initial Fit Consultation for Individuals, Group or Event: $0
FREE Grief Consultation for Professionals and Providers: $0
FREE Networking in Nature: Fun with a Frolleague: $0
FREE Pushing Daisies: Grief Support Group: $0
FREE (Re)Connect with Mother Nature, Nature-Informed Workshop Series: $0
One-Time Professional Grief Consultation,: $230, 90 minutes
One-Time Initial intake diagnostic evaluation: $295, 90 minutes
On-Going Individual psychotherapy: $195-$295, 50 to 90 minutes
On-Going Family psychotherapy: $295, 90 minutes
On-Going Nature-Informed Individual Therapy: $195-$295, 50 to 90 minutes
Packages for Professional Grief Consultation: varies
What can I expect from therapy? What is the process like with Marie?
Therapy can vary widely depending on the therapist’s approach, your needs at the time, and the setting. It’s also true that some things tend to be consistent no matter the provider.
Here are a few considerations when working with any therapist and some specifics for when working with me.
What You Can Expect Consistently in Therapy:
Confidentiality (with Limits) – What you share is private, except in cases where there's a legal or ethical obligation to report harm to yourself or others. I like to say, “I may like you, but not enough to lose my house.”
A Safe, Nonjudgmental Space – I want to support you, not judge or criticize you.
A Focus on Your Well-being – The process is centered on your needs, goals, and emotional health.
A Professional Relationship – While therapy can feel deeply personal, the therapist maintains professional boundaries to keep the space safe and effective. You can, however, count on on me to show up authentically. You won’t have to wonder if what I say is what I really think.
Emotional Processing – Therapy usually involves reflecting on emotions, behaviors, and thoughts. I can help you do this in more ways than “just talking.” If you are open to spending time in nature or trying brainspotting, we can accelerate your healing journey.
Some Level of Structure – Most therapists have a framework, whether it’s a specific model (e.g., CBT, psychodynamic, nature-informed) or a flexible process adapted to you.
Sessions with Marie strive to consistently include:
✅ Opening mindfulness exercise
✅ Collaborative agenda setting
✅ Interventions & skills practice
✅ Closing mindfulness & take-aways
What Can Vary in Therapy:
Therapist’s Style & Approach – Some therapists are structured and goal-oriented, while others take a more open-ended, exploratory approach. When working with me, we can include modalities like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, brainspotting, nature-informed interventions and more.
Pace & Focus of Sessions – Some sessions might be deep emotional processing, while others focus on practical strategies or reflection—we will decide based on your agenda and we can plan ahead for tackling specific needs. Progress can happen quickly or take time, depending on the individual and variability in life stressors.
Techniques & Tools Used –Therapy may involve talk-based reflection, mindfulness, journaling, movement, expressive arts, nature-informed interventions etc... I like to think out of the box, creatively and playfully when it comes to ways to support your goals.
Therapist’s Personality & Fit – Some therapists are warm and nurturing, while others are more analytical and reserved. Finding the right match is important for a productive experience. You can count on me to show up authentically. If we aren’t a good fit, that’s okay. I will help you find someone who is.
It can be helpful to think of therapy as evolving or in stages, starting with getting to know each other.
Stage 1 of Services: Intake and Initiating Rapport, Stabilization and Crisis Skill Building (@2 months of treatment)
At the onset of services, the client is asked to attend eight consecutive sessions in order to establish a therapeutic rapport and practice crisis skill building.
Many clients choose to remain at weekly services for several additional months to work on symptom stabilization and additional skill building.
Please note, that if treatment for a traumatic event or PTSD diagnosis is clinically indicated, weekly sessions will be required for several months and is not reflected in this estimate.
Stage 2 of Services: Rapport Building, Exploration and Processing, Skill Building and Practice (@6-9months of treatment)
After Stage 1 and based on frequency, intensity and duration of presenting problems--sessions may shift to biweekly.
It is common for clients to remain at this frequency for 6-9 months. There is an option for clients can remain at biweekly for a longer period of time. This is based on many factors including case complexity and the introduction of new problems over time.
Clinical indications for session frequency are discussed frequently as a way to monitor the progression of treatment.
Stage 3 of Services: Application to Life, Cope Ahead Planning, Skill Building and Practice (@3-6months of treatment)
Clients in stage 3 of treatment have learned ways to regulate their thoughts, feelings, behaviors/urges and are consistently implementing skills that support their goals and overall well-being.
Monthly sessions are used to check-in, problem solve and plan ahead for stressful events. Monthly sessions typically last for 3-6months before terminating/discharging from services. Clients have the option to remain at monthly if they anticipate a need. Termination of Services is discussed and prepared for during this stage.
Preparing for Termination
Either you or I have the right to terminate therapeutic services at any time, for any reason.
Ideally, we will discuss termination of services and make a mutual decision to end therapy. Typically, termination occurs when goals have been achieved. Termination is a good thing, though it can be sad not to see a valued support person anymore.
Therapy is best ended with a scheduled final appointment.
In some cases, I may determine that your needs are not being met by my services. This may be due to you (or the client) needing a higher level of care or specialized treatment/modality that I cannot provide.
There may be times that termination and discharge to a higher level/specialized care occurs, even if you (or the client) do not agree that a higher level/specialized care is needed. While this is rare, it can happen.
In these instances, I am ethically obligated to terminate therapeutic services and refer you to the more appropriate provider for care. This is one of those, “I may like you but not enough to lose my house” kind of moments.
When no clear plan for termination has been made and/or session attendance drops off naturally or otherwise (ie, ghosting), I will contact you for clarity to establish termination of services. You can expect me to reach out via email, text and phone call before throwing in the towel.
60 days from the last appointment, if I do not receive an update on intentions for services and/or there is no contact, clients are discharged from services and the account will become inactive.
Should someone want return to services in the future, a new intake may need to be conducted.
Why is having a connection between therapist and client important?
I believe (and studies support) that authentic relationships are vital for the exploration, experiencing and processing of deep emotions.
When we are naturally comfortable with each other, our sessions flow easily. During our Initial Fit-Consultation, we are both accessing our “vibe” and whether or not we feel can easy flow.
If we agree that we are a good match, it’s usually because we quickly and easily established a connection.
Who is the ideal client for Genuine Connections Psychotherapy?
Clients who work with me vary in age and areas of need.
I am passionate about supporting families who are grieving, especially parents navigating life after the death of their child. I am a Certified Grief Educator and volunteer with my local hospice.
Check out my experience to see if we’d be a good fit.
Clients who already have an individual therapist can take advantage of individual sessions for brainspotting, group offerings and workshops.
See my calendar & events page, groups and nature workshop pages for more information.
I have over a decade of experience working with adolescents (and their parents) and cherise my work with children.
Parents and children I work with often experience symptoms of PTSD and need support ranging from emotion regulation to exposure therapy.
As a TF-CBT Certified, Nature Certified and Child-Parent Relationship Trained clinician, I can support families of younger children, age 5-12 years using nature-informed play therapy. With this modality, we will meet at an agreed upon outdoor location for in-person play therapy (with Mother Nature as the co-therapist).
I am a Certified Grief Educator and I use a wide range of methodologies to inform my work.
Check out my experience to see if we’d be a good fit.
Are you holding in-person sessions?
Yes and no.
The majority of my services are delivered via a HIPAA compliant telehealth platform. If you work with Genuine Connections Psychotherapy, you can expect your regular session to be held via telehealth.
I do offer Nature-Informed outdoor therapy sessions in mutually agreed upon locations as well as several outdoor, in-person events at local and state parks.
Clients can be seen in-person at Hospice of the Chesapeake located in Pasadena, Maryland. Sessions are available for 1v1 therapy (including brainspotting), groups and community events (open to the public). Inquire and check the calendar & events page for current programming.
Hospice of the Chesapeake
John & Cathy Belcher Campus
90 Ritchie Highway
Pasadena, MD 21122
Learn more about my relationship with hospice.
What is Nature-Informed Therapy? Are we just going to sit outside?
Nature-Informed therapy is an emerging field in psychotherapy. Science is just now catching up to what indigenous peoples and nature enthusiasts already knew…that nature heals.
We will work together to determine what integrating nature can mean for you. We may meet in a park, we could both walk outside while on a voice session or I can log-in from the outdoors while you admire the natural surroundings visible through the screen. So many possibilities.
Do you complete Family Medical Leave of Absence paperwork?
Not only can I complete the FMLA forms on your behalf, I highly recommend you take the time away you need in order to grieve and heal.
That time may vary per circumstance, but consider what you think is appropriate and then double it. Of course, there are opposing perspectives on whether or not a grieving individual should “get back on the horse” and use their career/vocation to “keep some routine.”
Grief theory and research highlight the need to take as long a sabbatical that you can and I will support you on this. When the time is right and if it benefits you, I’ll share my journey with taking leave. Many people report regret for not taking off more time after the death of their loved one.
You do not have to be one of those people. Read more here.
How do I get started? Can I just schedule an intake now?
I do not schedule any intakes without a consultation. During the consultation, you will provide a description of why you are seeking treatment and you can ask questions about me or my practice.
It is important that we ensure I offer services appropriate to your needs and that we connect, at least enough to schedule an intake session.
If I am not the right fit, I am happy to provide a referral to one of my talented colleagues.