Despite common belief, therapy and coaching are actually very distinct services. It's important to know the difference so that you can make as informed of a decision as possible when it comes to your care.

Psychotherapy:
Practiced by a licensed mental health professionals who have undergone extensive training, supervision, and education in order to diagnose and treat mental health conditions. The therapy process often involved exploring the deep-seated emotional concerns, past and/or present life experiences, and or other underlying psychological conditions. Therapists employ a variety of evidence-based approaches and techniques to support their clients through their healing. Therapists are also held to a highly regulated code of ethics and guidelines to ensure client safety, confidentiality, and adherence to best practices. Therapists can also only practice psychotherapy in the states in which they are licensed.

Coaching:
Some coaches may receive certifications through coaching programs, however there aren't any required need for formal clinical mental health education. Coaching is more so geared towards specific, often shorter-term goal setting where a coach will aid you in creating practical, actionable steps to build different habits.

Therapists are equipped and able to work within a coaching capacity, however Coaches are not able to work within a clinical mental health capacity UNLESS they are licensed mental health professionals practicing within their state of licensure.

While both therapy and coaching provide support for personal growth and self-understanding, they serve different purposes. Coaching services through Homebody Psychotherapy do not diagnose, treat, or manage mental health conditions. Coaching is a non-clinical, future-focused service aimed at skill-building, accountability, and goal achievement.

If, during the course of coaching, mental health concerns arise that fall outside the scope of coaching — such as significant emotional distress, unprocessed trauma, or symptoms of a mental health condition — I will provide appropriate referrals for therapy or other professional support. Maintaining these boundaries allows us to honor the integrity of both processes and ensure you receive the best possible care.

How to Know If You Might Need Therapy Vs. Coaching:

You Might Benefit More From Therapy If:

• You’re struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, or other mental health challenges.

• You want to explore your past experiences and how they continue to shape your present.

• You’re looking for a deeper understanding of emotional patterns or behaviors.

• You're feeling emotionally overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsafe in your body or relationships.

• You want to heal from relational wounds, attachment injuries, or traumatic experiences.

• You need a confidential, clinically held space for processing and healing.

You Might Benefit More From Coaching If:

• You feel generally stable but want guidance in pursuing goals related to intimacy, relationships, or personal growth.

• You're looking for accountability and structure to help you move forward.

• You want to build skills for communication, boundary-setting, or self-advocacy.

• You’re focused on creating change in your life, but not necessarily processing past trauma.

• You’re seeking tools and strategies for expanding pleasure, connection, or confidence in specific areas.

• You want a collaborative, action-oriented partnership to help you stay motivated and intentional.

Note: Some clients engage in both therapy and coaching at the same time to address different needs. If you’re unsure which is right for you, we can have a brief consultation to explore your needs.

I'm so happy you're here! Starting therapy for the first time can be scary. Especially if you're unsure of what to expect. I hope you can gift yourself some spaciousness to acknowledge and celebrate your courageousness.

Therapy "readiness" varies from person to person. It could be helpful to ask yourself if there are any areas of your life that you'd like some additional support with, or if you're needing an opportunity for deeper self-exploration. There's a misconception that in order to be in therapy you need to be in an active mental health and/or emotional crisis. Although those are reasons as to why someone may be seeking therapy, they aren't the only reasons.

You could be recognizing that you'd like to change a pattern of behavior, or maybe you're experiencing a life transition. You could need a contained environment with the support of objective third-party who can assist you in exploring and making sense of previous life experiences. You could even just be curious about therapy and want to try it out for yourself.

Point is, therapy will be there for whenever you decide you'd like to dive in.

As a trauma-informed therapist I have a deep understanding of the pervasive impacts that trauma can have on an individual and their wellbeing. As such, I emphasize creating a therapeutic environment that is sensitive to the needs of my clients such that we are creating as safe of a space as possible.

I believe that a person-centered, relational, and holistic perspective can offer a greater opportunity for healing, and that my folks are deserving of care in which they are seen, heard, and understood.

This means that as I provider I need to maintain cultural sensitivity, work with my folks in building trust, and also being honest about the different ways in which our unique and shared experiences inform the ways in which we show up.

Yes! I offer 15-minute consultations upon request for individuals and 30-minute consultations for couples. To get in touch and schedule a consultation, please reach out directly via email or phone. Your journey toward deeper intimacy and understanding starts with that first step, and I'm here to support you every bit of the way.

Note: I am not currently accepting insurance clients at this time.

I'm currently in network with the following insurances for folks with New York State plans through Alma:

• Aetna

• Allied Benefit Systems - Aetna

• Carelon Behavioral Health, Inc.

• Christian Brothers Services - Aetna

• Cigna

• Health Scope - Aetna

• Meritain

• Nippon

• Providence Health Plan

• Trustmark Health Benefits - Aetna

• Trustmark Health Benefits - Cigna

• Trustmark Small Business Benefits - Aetna

To book learn more about insurance coverage, and to book a consultation with me through Alma, follow the link here.

"Out of network" therapy refers to therapy services provided by a therapist who is not contracted with your health insurance plan. This means that you may have to pay the therapist’s full fee upfront.

Depending on your insurance plan, you may be able to submit a claim for reimbursement from your insurance provider. If your plan allows for out-of-network coverage, you can submit a superbill (a detailed receipt) from the therapist to their insurance provider. The insurance company may then reimburse a portion of the fee, depending on your plan.

Great question! Although the term "Couples Therapy" implies services for folks who are in romantic and/or sexual partnerships with each other, there are many different types of relational structures that could find "Couples Therapy" useful. For example, you and a friend could be seeking services together as a means to better communicate and/or understand each other.

"Couples Therapy" can even been used with folks who would like support in de-escalating or changing how they relate to each other. For example, long-term friends and/or partners could use the therapy space to emotionally process the circumstances around the end of a relationship and explore how to set healthy boundaries to create a pathway forward.