Frequently Asked Questions

What is Above the Tides Counseling?

Above the Tides Counseling is a trauma-informed, affirming therapy practice serving adults across North Carolina, South Carolina, Utah, Maine, and Virginia. We specialize in helping individuals navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, burnout, neurodivergence, ADHD, addiction recovery, and major life transitions. Our mission is to help you transmute pain into power and create a life rooted in healing, authenticity, and purpose.

Who do you work with?

I support adults from diverse backgrounds, including veterans, military spouses, first responders, healthcare workers, therapists, students, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and those in high-stress careers. I also work with neurodivergent clients, adult survivors of narcissistic abuse, individuals recovering from religious trauma, and those living with chronic pain or navigating identity development.

While I don’t currently provide EMDR, I recognize it as the gold-standard, evidence-based approach for resolving trauma. If we determine that EMDR would best support your healing, I’ll connect you with a trusted, credentialed EMDR therapist. Additionally, my telehealth practice is designed for outpatient, non-crisis care; if you require crisis stabilization or a higher level of support, I will help refer you to the appropriate intensive or inpatient services to ensure your safety and wellbeing.

What I Refer Out:
To ensure clients receive the most appropriate care, I refer out for:

• Severe or untreated personality disorders

• Complex trauma requiring EMDR or a higher level of care than outpatient

• Severe psychosis or symptoms needing intensive psychiatric care

• Court-mandated therapy

• Child or adolescent therapy

• Ongoing couples counseling (though I can provide brief support around relationships within individual therapy)

What can I expect in therapy?

Therapy is a collaborative and supportive process. Together, we'll identify your goals, understand the challenges you’re facing, and build practical, evidence-based tools to support your healing and growth. I draw from approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Solution-Focused Therapy.

Do you offer virtual therapy?

Yes, all therapy sessions are currently offered via secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth. You can attend sessions from anywhere using your phone, tablet, or computer. I also offer phone only appointments for those who struggle with video.

Do you accept insurance?

Yes, I accept insurance through third-party platforms such as Headway, Alma, and Grow. These services help verify benefits and manage billing. Availability may vary based on your location and plan.

What if I don't have insurance or prefer to pay privately?

If you do not have insurance or choose not to use it, I offer flexible self-pay options. A sliding scale and hardship accommodations may be available to help make therapy more accessible. Please contact me to discuss your needs.

Services I Do Not Provide

To preserve the integrity of the therapeutic relationship and maintain clear ethical boundaries, there are certain services I do not offer:

• Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letters. Due to evolving legal standards and liability considerations, I do not provide ESA evaluations or documentation.

• Court-involved cases, custody matters, or forensic or litigation-related evaluations. I do not participate in legal proceedings, provide custody recommendations, or engage in adversarial court matters.

• Fitness-for-duty or legal competency determinations.

• One-session evaluations for disability, employment, or legal decisions.

Therapy is a protected space focused on healing and growth. When legal or adversarial processes are involved, a different professional service is often more appropriate.

Administrative Paperwork & Documentation

I do provide:

• Reasonable accommodation letters

• Academic appeal documentation

• Medical or FMLA paperwork

• Other clinically appropriate treatment-related documentation

If documentation requires more than 30 minutes of time outside of session, a $100 administrative fee will apply due to the professional review, writing, and clinical responsibility involved.

For Nexus letters, please email for information.

Court Subpoenas & Legal Proceedings

Although I do not engage in court-related cases, if I am subpoenaed or legally required to appear in court, the following fees apply:

• $3,000 per day minimum court appearance fee

• Travel time billed at $150 per hour

• Airfare or mileage at the current IRS rate

• Lodging and meal expenses if overnight stay is required

• Record review and preparation time billed at $150 per hour

All court-related fees must be paid in advance and are not contingent upon case outcome.

How do I get started?

Email me at contact@abovethetides.com or preview my Psychology Today profile for more information. I’ll walk you through the next steps and answer any questions to help you feel supported from the start.