Frequently Asked Questions

Dr. Stevie accepts insurance through Optum Health and Alma. This includes United Health, Cigna, and Aetna.

For all other companies, check with your insurance provider to see if you have out of network coverage. Dr. Stevie will provide a Superbill that you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.

Dr. Stevie uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) techniques. For couples, Dr. Stevie likes Emotional Focused Family Therapy (EMT) to build connectedness between couples. 

She is also trained in nutritional medicine and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).

Sessions are offered both in person in Boca Raton and Sawgrass, and online through either Simple Practice or Psychology today's online platform. 

And you may feel strongly about either online or in person, or you may feel the needs change as your experience with treatment changes. And that's great! I have clients who only come in the office, and others who see me from their car (parked safely in a parking lot). 

Therapy happens best when you feel safe and able to get into the process.

Individual sessions tend to last 50 minutes. Couples and family work may last longer.

If your treatment requires longer session time, Dr. Stevie and you will arrange appropriate session length to support your treatment needs (like double sessions, or 90 minute sessions...especially in crisis moments)

 Dr. Stevie helps people experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship problems, grief, and ADHD. 

The biggest complaint about therapy that I hear, and often, is the therapist/counselor just "listens". 

Yes, sessions focus on you, the client. YOU do most of the talking. 

BUT Dr. Stevie is there to challenge you and get you to make the best life changes you can. This requires confrontation and support. Sessions will include dialogue. 

Existentialism is Dr. Stevie's psychological perspective (this means everything is determined by the individual). She helps people remember/find/embrace his/her/their 'true authentic self', and work to be that person. And she accomplishes this through her direct, caring, dry sense of humor, and sometimes tears.

Like dating, not all client/counselor relationships work. AND THAT'S OKAY. Dr. Stevie knows how important therapeutic alliance is to your wellbeing, and she is there to help. Speak up! Let us know, and we will help guide you to your 'one'.

Therapy and coaching work best when you are comfortable and able to get vulnerable. To do this, you have to feel safe. This means confidentiality is a MAJOR component to treatment. Dr. Stevie keeps medical records with only pertinent information to medically justify treatment (for therapy), and basic informational notes for coaching. Since privacy is a big deal (and she has had to share her notes with the court...and learned their impact), she is VERY careful to maintain your privacy.

Unless you are going to hurt yourself, others, children, or the elderly. Then there will be an open conversation about the limits of confidentiality for these specific issues.

All these 'things' didn't arise over night, and it will take a little while to learn, practice, and utilize new ways of doing things. But that doesn't mean you need therapy forever. Therapy lasts as long as you need. Some people feel great after 6 sessions. Other people feel good having monthly check-ins. 

Length of therapy matches your needs with your desires outcomes.

Dr. Stevie is biased on this one. 

Therapy is GREAT! Everyone should do it!  It is YOUR time to focus on you. This can be to work through stressful work situations, learn new ways to listen to your partner, or find out the 'truth' to all that self-help you've been reading. And you get to do this with a professional who is trained and dedicated to your wellbeing. 

Yes, having friends and support is necessary, but therapy allows for the time and energy to be devoted to you and your goals...and it does not mean you are crazy.

First off, so sorry that has been your experience.

Secondly, what are your goals for therapy, and how can we get there?

Therapy often doesn't work when there isn't a good fit between therapist and client (and that's okay). Just like dating, it can take a while before finding 'the one'. I encourage people to talk to therapists on the phone or have a video consult before booking the first appointment. Humans are really good at judging fit within the first 5 seconds. Then try out the people you feel connections. If it doesn't work, that's okay...because when you find 'the one', the work is magical.

 It comes down to what you're dealing with and what you want to achieve. Therapy is focused on mental health, digging deep into emotional challenges, past trauma, and anything that might be holding you back. It often requires a diagnosis, uses insurance, and can be a longer, more intensive process. If you’re looking to heal, work through deep-rooted issues, or manage mental health conditions, therapy is the way to go.

Coaching, on the other hand, is about getting things done. It’s goal-specific, action-oriented, and doesn’t address mental health diagnoses. If you’re an entrepreneur who needs guidance on tackling specific challenges, staying accountable, or getting organized, coaching might be the better fit. Coaching is more structured and focuses on moving forward with a plan, without diving into emotional or mental health issues.

Sometimes, you might need both—if deeper stuff comes up during coaching, we can pivot to therapy as needed and then get back to the action once you're ready.

Absolutely. Sometimes, life throws something unexpected your way, and we need to shift gears. If you’re working with me in coaching and deeper emotional or trauma-related stuff comes up, we can transition into therapy when needed. Once we’ve addressed those challenges, we can get back to coaching and focus on moving forward.

The goal is to meet you where you are and give you the support you need, whether that's therapy for healing or coaching for goal-getting. You don’t have to choose just one...we’ll adjust as we go.

Yes, I specialize in coaching ADHD entrepreneurs. ADHD can make things like staying organized and following through challenging, but I help you use those ADHD traits to your advantage and get things done.

That said, even if you don’t have ADHD but struggle with things like focus, time management, or accountability, you’ll still get a lot out of this coaching. It’s built to help anyone who wants more structure and real results.

If you call during socially acceptable times, Joelle does answer the phone. She is a real person, and super helpful.

Oh my gosh is she helpful! She is caring, listens, and will work her hardest to make sure you, the caller (or texter) gets the right information or support.