Terms of Service
Orientation to My Therapeutic Approach
My work is grounded in a non-pathologizing, insight-oriented therapeutic approach. While formal diagnosis and symptom assessment may be used when required for treatment planning, documentation, or insurance purposes, the therapeutic focus emphasizes understanding emotional experiences, relational patterns, and internal processes that contribute to distress.
Coping strategies and symptoms are understood as meaningful responses to life experiences, developmental history, and relational context. Many strategies may have been adaptive or protective at earlier stages of life. Together, we evaluate whether these strategies continue to support current functioning and goals, and identify areas where increased flexibility, insight, or alternative responses may be beneficial.
This approach differs from therapies that primarily emphasize behavioral modification or symptom reduction through structured techniques. While those approaches can be clinically appropriate for certain goals or presentations, my work emphasizes insight, emotional processing, and integration as pathways to change. Treatment goals and progress are reviewed collaboratively and adjusted as needed to support client goals.
Core Therapeutic Frameworks
Psychodynamic Therapy
Focuses on identifying patterns, themes, and experiences that may be outside of conscious awareness yet continue to influence present functioning. These patterns often originate in earlier life experiences and relationships.
Spiritually Informed Therapy
Spiritually informed therapy may include exploration of meaning, belief systems, and sources of connection. I define spirituality as the awareness of our internal nature and the developed connection we create outside of ourselves. Spiritual therapy can be supported by a client’s already established religious beliefs and/or a desire to define more clearly what belief systems you would like to cultivate for your life.
Relational-Cultural Therapy
Emphasizes the role of relationships in psychological well-being. This approach recognizes that healing can occur through relational connection, including the therapeutic relationship, while also attending to broader social and cultural factors that impact mental health.
The Therapeutic Process
Therapy may be short-term or long-term, depending on clinical needs, treatment goals, and client preference. While I bring professional training and experience, therapy is a collaborative process that respects client autonomy. You are encouraged to actively participate in goal setting and the ongoing evaluation of progress. If we encounter an impasse or plateau, we will collaboratively reassess goals, our relational fit, and areas of focus.
Therapy has both potential risks and benefits.
Potential risks may include experiencing uncomfortable or unfamiliar emotions (such as sadness, anger, guilt, or grief), increased awareness of difficult experiences, or unanticipated changes in relationships or life circumstances.
Potential benefits may include increased self-awareness, improved emotional regulation, reduction in distress, improved relationships, enhanced coping skills, and greater clarity in decision-making.
If at any point it feels that our work together is no longer the best support for you, my priority will always be your care. I am committed to helping you find what feels most aligned for your needs, even if that means transitioning to another provider. I will support you through that transition with care, by helping you identify the therapeutic modality more in alignment with your needs and referrals for alternative practitioners.
At the heart of our work, my intention is to dismantle shame and strengthen self-compassion, emotional expression, and connection. My hope is that clients can take emotional risks, with themselves, with others, and with me. I strive to create a space grounded in trust and mutual respect, where growth can unfold in a way that feels steady and supportive.
Therapeutic Life Coaching
Therapeutic Life Coaching services are not covered by health insurance.
Life Coaching services are not appropriate if you are currently experiencing a mental health crisis, require ongoing clinical mental health treatment, experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, or if you are struggling to manage activities of daily living. Life Coaching is not intended to replace psychotherapy, which targets clinical diagnoses through evidence-based interventions, treatment planning, and outcome assessment.
Therapeutic Life Coaching may include support with:
Self-discovery and meaning-making
Natal birth chart exploration
Psychoeducation
Emotional awareness
Identification of relational and behavioral patterns
Natal Birth Chart Integration
Astrology is used symbolically to support insight, narrative exploration, and meaning-making, and is not used for diagnosis, prediction, or treatment planning. When integrated, it is intended to complement counseling work and support reflective exploration rather than clinical assessment. Clients are encouraged to discuss interest, expectations, and appropriateness of this option prior to scheduling and opting into Natal Birth Chart integration work.
Services, Insurance, & Fees
Clinical Therapy is available only to clients residing in Massachusetts.
I am in-network with the following Massachusetts insurance providers:
Cigna
Point32Healthcare
Optum (Oxford, Oscar, United Healthcare)
Aetna
Carelon Behavioral Health
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Superbills are available for out-of-network clients, HSA/FSA/Lifestyle Spending Accounts. Clients are responsible for submitting superbills and verifying reimbursement eligibility.
Payments for services not covered by insurance must be made via Venmo or PayPal.
Outline of Session Services & Fees
Life Coaching, Natal Birth Chart consultation, and extended time fees are not covered by insurance.
Individual Clinical Therapy (Massachusetts Residents Only)
$150 | 53-minute session
Individual Therapeutic Life Coaching
$150 | 53-minute session
Natal Chart Integration for Therapy & Life Coaching Services
One-time fee of $150 for short/long-term work
This fee is not covered by insurance
Sliding Scale Availability
Limited sliding-scale spaces available starting at $80 per session
One-time natal chart integration fee of $50 for sliding-scale clients
Natal Birth Chart Consultation
$200 | 90-minute consultation
Natal Birth Chart Consultation Packages
$300 | (3) 60-minute sessions with natal birth chart analysis
$500 | (5) 60-minute sessions with natal birth chart analysis
Additional Time
$50 | 30 minutes
Service fees are subject to change. Clients will be notified in advance of any fee changes.
Late Cancellation & No-Show Policy
At least 24 hours’ notice is required to cancel an appointment. Appointments canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice, or missed appointments, will incur a $75 fee.
The fee will be waived if:
The session is rescheduled within one week, or
The cancellation is due to an emergency (medical issues, childcare needs, pet needs, or technology issues)
Rationale
Timely communication helps support continuity of care, mutual respect for time, and the sustainability of the practice. Questions or concerns about this policy are always welcome. I recognize that cancellation fees can bring up challenging feelings, and I encourage you to share anything that arises—I am here to meet you with care, compassion, and understanding.
Limitations of Services
If a client becomes suicidal or experiences an increase in suicidal ideation or self-harming behaviors, a discussion regarding the limitations of my services will occur. If my services are no longer clinically appropriate, referrals and emergency resources will be provided, along with a clear end date to our work together.Privacy & Confidentiality
Privacy and confidentiality are important to the relationship between myself and the client. I follow legal and ethical standards to protect the information you share with me. This also covers written records. Any information about our work can only be released to others with your written permission. There are however, exceptions to be aware of:
I am required to breach confidentiality without a client’s permission if a client threatens, or is in imminent risk of harming themselves, and may be required to seek hospitalization for the client, or to contact family members or others who can help provide protection.
If, in my professional judgment, it is believed that a client is threatening serious harm to another person, it is required by law that protective actions are taken, which may include notifying the potential victims, notifying the police, or seeking the client’s hospitalization.
If it is believed that a child (minor), elderly person, or disabled person is being abused or neglected, a report must be made with the appropriate state agency.
In a judicial proceeding, I may be required to comply with a court order (if you anticipate any legal matters where this might be the case, please inform me as soon as possible).
In order to provide the best ethical work, consultation about clients will occur with a licensed mental health professional. In these consultations every effort is made to avoid revealing the identity of the client. The consultant is also legally bound to maintain confidentiality.
Is This Approach a Good Fit for You?
This therapeutic approach may be a good fit if you:
Are interested in increasing self-awareness and understanding emotional or relational patterns
Prefer a collaborative, exploratory therapy process rather than a highly structured or skills-based model
Are open to reflecting on past experiences and how they influence present functioning
Value a therapy relationship that emphasizes trust, curiosity, and compassion
This approach may not be the best fit if you are seeking:
Short-term, highly structured behavioral treatment only
Immediate symptom management without deeper exploration
Crisis stabilization as a primary focus
If at any point it becomes clear that another modality or level of care would better support your needs, referrals will be provided.
Crisis & Mental Health Resources
Community-based alternatives to 911 by city and state | These resources may be required to call police in the case of an immediate risk of harm to the caller or another, child abuse, or abuse of a vulnerable adult. These resources are not intended to cover all situations, only to provide the services described. If you are in danger of immediate harm and feel safe doing so, call 911.
If you or a loved one is in imminent danger calling 911 and talking with police may be necessary. It is important to notify the operator that it is a mental health emergency and ask for police officers trained in crisis intervention or trained to assist people experiencing a psychiatric emergency.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline | Call 800-273-TALK (8255) or Text 988 | This call connects you with a crisis center in the Lifeline network closest to your location 24/7 with a trained crisis counselor. Your call is confidential and free.
Crisis Text Line | Text NAMI to 741-741 http://www.crisistextline.org/
Crisis Text Line for People of Color | Text STEVE to 741741 https://www.stevefund.org/crisistextline
LGBTQA+ Text, Call, Chat Crisis Services | Text ‘START’ to 678-678 or Call 1-866-488-7386 https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help
National Domestic Violence Hotline | Call 800-799-SAFE (7233) Trained expert advocates are available 24/7 to provide confidential support to anyone experiencing domestic violence or seeking resources and information. Help is available in Spanish and other languages. http://www.thehotline.org
National Sexual Assault Hotline | Call 800-656-HOPE (4673) Connect with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area that offers access to a range of free services. Crisis chat support is FREE and available 24/7
If you have questions about services, please email, carrie@astrotherapy.co.