Why aren’t you in-network with insurance?

I want to provide you with the highest level of care, tailored to your unique needs, without the restrictions and limitations often imposed by insurance companies. Insurance providers frequently dictate the length, frequency, and even the type of therapy that can be covered, which may not always align with what is best for you. Additionally, they require diagnoses and detailed treatment information that may not fully capture the depth of sex + relationship therapy—or may compromise your privacy and confidentiality.

By remaining out-of-network with insurance, I can offer a confidential, personalized, and deeply attuned therapeutic experience that prioritizes your healing and growth, rather than fitting within insurance-driven frameworks. This allows us to focus entirely on what serves you best, at a pace that supports your journey.

I understand that therapy is an investment, and I am happy to provide a superbill for you to submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement if your plan allows. If financial concerns arise, we can also discuss flexible options to ensure you receive the support you need.

My goal is to create a space where you can explore intimacy, relationships, and sexuality without constraints or concerns around privacy—only possibilities and openness.

What are your accepted forms of payment?

All major credit cards, including HSA/FSA cards, are accepted. I do not accept cash or barter for services. Payment is due day-of service.

What kind of availability do you offer?

Business hours are Monday, 4:10pm-8pm (last session begins @7:10pm) Tuesday to Friday, roughly 11:10am-6pm CT (last session begins @5:10pm) and Saturday, 9:10am-12pm CT (last session begins @11:10am). In an effort to model and cultivate presence and mindfulness and to help dismantle unrealistic societal expectations regarding productivity, access and response time, I do not monitor my email 24/7. I will do my best to respond as I can, when I can.

Do you offer in-person sessions?

My sessions are currently offered via telehealth only, due to accommodating availability and ease of meeting between therapist and client. I am happy to have a conversation with you to discuss ideas for creating a private space for therapy when we are in session.

What is your cancellation policy?

Flexibility with time is a huge value for me. Sometimes I will need to shift our appointments, sometimes you’ll need to shift our appointments. Your regularly occurring appointment time is time I hold specifically for you and typically, I do not fill it otherwise (unless we meet bimonthly, eventually). You are expected to maintain a regular rhythm with therapy. If you do not maintain a regular rhythm with appointments, you may be asked to drop your regularly scheduled appointment time, as I have a waitlist and value the help I offer. I prioritize helping people who can commit to regular meetings until they do not need them any longer.

Appointments cancelled within 48h of your scheduled time are charged a $100 late cancellation fee.

Late cancellations that are rescheduled within two days of session will not be charged the late cancellation fee, and it is not intended to be in lieu of your next coming appointment.

How do I schedule an appointment with you?

Please contact me to schedule a free 20-minute video consultation prior to scheduling an initial session. Email me at helen@ae-collective.net, call me at 773-649-3002 or click [here] to complete my contact form.

What happens in a 20-minute intake consultation?

In our consultation, we will discuss your wishes and goals for therapy, your presenting concerns, previous therapy experiences (if applicable), and any questions you may have for me about the therapy process or my therapeutic style.

What modalities do you use in therapy treatment?

I use a mix of:

Neurobiology Psychoeducation & Somatic Experiencing ® Therapy | helps you to regulate, relate, and reason in a way that aligns with how your nervous system actually works; helps you to feel more comfortable and neutral in your body in general; living is a full-body activity!

Bowen Intergenerational Family Therapy & Schnarch Crucible Differentiation Theory | helps you to know your Self and how you can best communicate with others in a relational way, with respect to your individual childhood; helps you to address intergenerational themes that were passed on to you

Emotion-Focused Therapy | emotion is present in all of the decisions you make; helps you to be aware of your reactions, choose regulated and connected responses, and learn to connect to important people in your life with more depth

Parts Therapy | thinking about your Self in Parts has neurological significance, as well as helps you slow down your responses; becomes a useful tool for navigating change and doing things differently than how you currently express your Self

Feminist Lens & Sexual Health Principles | power dynamics are present in all you do and chances are, you’ve never addressed power directly; learning about power dynamics, true consent, nonexploitation, radical honesty, shared values, mutual pleasure, and protection of your health and relationships is essential to doing sex + relationships in an empowered, open way

Play Therapy (adult), Improvisation, and Dramaturgy | while much of therapy is about discussion and reflection, these are tools that help you actually experience change – I’m invested in you doing things differently in your life and relationship(s). When we are at play (one of our most important - yet, underutilized - brain systems), we experience safety, joy, and vitality.

I actively present and attend professional continuing education and conferences for learning and growth to help me cultivate my therapeutic skills to do my job as best I can. This helps me to grow personally and professionally.

I actively practice what I offer in therapy - I attend psychotherapy, engage in hobbies and actives that will help me be my most regulated self, and actively work to grow my self in my life.

I actively work to practice anti-oppression and anti-racism in daily living and as lenses in my clinical work, and actively work to unpack my privileged identities and honor and raise marginalized and oppressed voices.