I am in network with many Aetna, United Healthcare, and Cigna PPO plans.  The best way is to call your insurance company and confirm that I'm in network with YOUR specific plan.  At that time, I suggest you have them check your benefits for individual therapy.  They can let you know if you owe on a deductible or what your copay is.  

If you have a different insurance, I can give you a superbill, which allows you to submit for reimbursement directly to your insurance company.  You will have to submit to them and have the superbill processed to know how much they will reimburse for.  

My cash pay rate is $150/session.

No.  I have more tools in-person, and therapy seems to go better in-person.  I truly believe that you get a better-quality service face-to-face.  Many clients express feeling comfortable in my office and appreciate the dedicated space.  

Additionally, there are a number of factors I cannot control in virtual sessions, such as internet quality, confidentiality, disruptions, etc.  

I do not see kids or teens.  Clients must be 18+ to begin therapy with me.  If you are looking for kid/teen therapists, I recommend Nurture Family Counseling: Family counseling services for Cedar Park, Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown and Lakeway - Nurture Family Counseling®

I see clients mostly Tuesdays through Thursdays during daytime hours.  I do not work evenings nor weekends.

The number of sessions you will need varies dramatically between clients.  This question is like asking how many times you'd need to go to the gym.  It depends of your health, genetics, injuries, what you do when you are at the gym, age, motivation, distractibility, how many workouts you skip, etc.  Therapy is similar, and factors such as: trust in the therapeutic process, your prior experience with therapy, your prior experience with EMDR, how stable your life is now, how many years of trauma you've survived, how much you want to discuss, and your individual brain all effect the number of sessions you'll want.  

I can say that within three months you'll know if EMDR is helping you and is a good fit or not.  Within 6 months many clients are feeling better and making progress on their therapeutic goals.  I'd say committing to weekly therapy for 6 months is a minimum.  Most clients see me for 1-2 years to complete EMDR therapy, though no matter the time spent in therapy, there is an end to EMDR.  You should feel reduction or elimination of many symptoms at the end of the EMDR process, and we won't continue indefinitely.

I do full, comprehensive therapy that includes targeting past, present, and future triggers and traumas.  We will work through limiting beliefs and numerous biological, psychological, social, and spiritual influences.  While EMDR is my primary modality, I also pair EMDR with Ego State therapy, a fabulous compliment.  These two modalities have worked great together for my clients, and are comprehensive.  There's a lot to say, but even if you've experienced "acute" trauma, it has only become "trauma" due to underlying negative beliefs that we know originate from childhood experiences.  

Even though it can be hard to transition therapists, if you are interested in EMDR, this could be your next step.  I've had a number of clients express later they wish they would have stopped "talk therapy" sooner and started EMDR without waiting.

My office is fragrance free.  Sometimes I get headaches or am distracted by smelly lotions, hand sanitizers, perfumes, etc.  Don't worry!  You don't stink!  I have an essential oil diffuser in my office, and if that is ever a bother to you, please let me know, and I'll turn it off.  

Due to my license, I am unable to have a "dual role" with clients and cannot provide letters of recommendation.  It is not in my scope of practice to write specific letters needed for any kind of medical release, emotional support letters, FMLA, or anything else.  

I can provide you a letter with my letterhead, signature, and the following information:

• when you started therapy, 

• how many times you have attended, 

• if you participate in sessions, and 

• therapeutic recommendations (continue weekly therapy).  

I can also add your diagnosis, if requested.

I see a variety of clients of many different religions, political beliefs, lifestyles, sexuality, abilities, etc.  I work to provide the best service to all my clients whether or not I am of a similar mind.  It is not my role to judge anyone, and my goal is for you to have a better life as defined by you.  I learn from my clients every day and support all cultures and persons.  

I do not believe that I need to be the same as you to be a good therapist for you.  I've known great play therapists who don't parent, and great couple's counselors who are single.  I've had Jewish and Palestinian clients.   I've worked with LGBTQ, BIPOC, and many minority clients of all varieties.  I work with men and women.  If you have spiritual or religious beliefs, and if it is helpful, we will use that as support and resourcing in the therapy process.  If you've survived religious trauma we'll do EMDR for that too. I love working with gifted and talented adults, first responders, veterans, active duty, and other therapists.

Please email me at karen@lakewayEMDR.com and let me know what you're looking for.  

I specialize in trauma and dissociation.  I specialize in advanced EMDR techniques and am EMDR certified.  I have specialty training in EMDR's chronic pain protocol.  I have worked with clients who have had a variety of adictions, eating disorders, anxiety, depression, personality diagnosis, chronic pain, PTSD, and more.  The root of any symptom is trauma.  While ensuring that symptoms cause the least amount of harm to the client is important, addressing the root cause of trauma has been more effective for my clients than just symptom management.  While some specific situations require multiple treatment providers, such as medical providers, I've had many clients surprised how effective and helpful EMDR alone has been for them.

You do not have to believe in EMDR; it is not a religion.  Your brain doesn't want to be anxious or depressed.  If we give it the right environment, it will move towards healing (homeostasis).  I've worked with many EMDR skeptics, and that doesn't prevent the effectiveness of the treatment.  In fact, if you haven't personally known others who've benefited from EMDR, then I'd expect you to be skeptical.  I'm happy to discuss as much of the science behind EMDR that I understand, but I'm a social worker, not a scientist.