Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about starting therapy, working with me, and what to expect along the way. If you don’t see your question here, feel free to reach out.
Starting Therapy
Your first session is a normal 55-minute session. We'll talk about what's bringing you in, what's felt hard lately, and what you're hoping therapy can help with. You don't need to have it all figured out before you come in.
You don't need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, anxious, or like you're just going through the motions, that's enough. You don't have to wait for a breaking point to seek support.
Sessions are a conversation, not a lecture. Depending on what you're working through, we might identify thought patterns that are making things harder, work on practical strategies you can use in real life, or just process something that's been weighing on you. The approach adapts to what you need.
It depends on what you're working on. Some people feel significantly better in 8–12 sessions. Others find ongoing therapy useful as life continues to throw new challenges. We'll talk about your goals early on and check in regularly about whether the pace feels right.
Yes. What you share in sessions is private and protected by law. There are a small number of legal exceptions — such as if there is a risk of serious harm to yourself or someone else — but outside of those narrow circumstances, what happens in therapy stays between us.
Is Mary Margaret the right fit?
I work with older adolescents (16+), college students, young adults, and adults who are navigating anxiety, major life transitions, new medical diagnoses, or relationship stress. If you're not sure whether your situation fits, reach out — the free consultation is a good place to figure that out together.
My approach is grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which means we focus on the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors — and work on practical tools, not just insight. I also draw on Motivational Interviewing and Solution-Focused strategies depending on what's most useful for you in session.
CBT stands for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. The core idea is that your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are all connected — and that by identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns, you can change how you feel and what you do. It's structured, evidence-based, and focused on real, measurable progress rather than just insight.
I'm not an insight-only therapist. Understanding why something is happening is useful, but the goal is always to do something about it. Every session is oriented toward progress — you'll leave with tools, not just reflections.
Both. I see clients in person at my Dallas office two days a week, and virtually Monday-Friday for anyone in Texas. Many clients mix both depending on their schedule — there's no requirement to pick one or the other.
Yes. The best way to get started is to book a free 15-minute consultation — it's a chance to ask questions, share what's going on, and make sure we're a good fit before committing to a full session.
Research consistently shows that virtual therapy produces outcomes comparable to in-person therapy for most presenting concerns, including anxiety and depression. Some clients actually find it easier to open up from a familiar environment. I offer both, and many clients mix them depending on their week — there's no requirement to choose one permanently.
Insurance & Cost
Yes. I am in-network with Aetna, Ascension SmartHealth, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), Carelon Behavioral Health, Cigna and Quest Behavioral Health. I can also provide a superbill for clients with out-of-network benefits who want to seek reimbursement on their own. For full pricing and payment information, visit the Pricing page.
Yes, FSA and HSA cards are accepted. See the Pricing page for a full breakdown of payment options.
My standard session rate is $150 per session. If you have any of the previously stated insurances, I'm in-network, and your cost will depend on your plan's copay or deductible. Visit the Pricing page for full details.
I do not currently offer sliding scale pricing. If cost is a concern, I'm happy to talk through your insurance options and whether a superbill might work for your situation during the free consultation.
Logistics & Practical Questions
You can book a free 15-minute consultation directly through the online portal — no referral needed. If you'd prefer to reach out first with questions, you can also contact me through the Contact page.
I ask for at least 24 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice are charged the full session fee. I know life happens — if something comes up, just reach out as soon as you can.
You don't need to hit a clinical threshold to benefit from therapy. If anxiety is affecting your sleep, your relationships, your performance at work or school, or your ability to enjoy your life — that's enough.
No. You can book directly through my online portal without a referral. If you're using insurance, your plan may have its own requirements — check with your insurer if you're unsure.
A superbill is an itemized receipt I provide at your request that includes all the information your insurance company needs to process an out-of-network reimbursement claim. You submit it to your insurer directly, and they reimburse you according to your out-of-network benefits. Not all plans offer this, so it's worth checking before your first session.