Individual Therapy Services
I started my private practice to focus on the intersection of Trauma and the LGBTQ+ identity and experience; this also includes the experiences of BIPOC folks identifying as LGBTQ+. I specialize in sexuality and gender, as well as, trauma work. More specifically, I treat PTSD/Trauma related to gender, sexuality, Relationship Violence (Domestic/Sexual/Intimate Partner Violence), bullying, and early childhood trauma.
I am passionate in working with fellow humans identifying on the LGBTQ+ spectrum and offer affirming therapy approaches and gender affirming services.
Are We a Good Fit?:
I utilize evidence-based modalities and follow best practice guidelines. A significant part of evidence-based therapy is the Therapeutic Rapport or “fit”. This refers to the relationship and connection between therapist and client. Are you and your therapist compatible? Does approach, conversation, and confrontational style align? Not every therapist, regardless of modality, will be a good fit for you; and that will not be your fault or the therapist’s.
Maybe you prefer a more passive and supportive personality/approach. Maybe you want someone who uses irreverence and humor. Maybe you want someone who is direct and goal oriented. Is it important for your therapist to come from a similar culture, race, sexual identity, or gender? Take time to consider, research, and explore this when searching for and initiating mental health services.
My speciality areas are:
LGBTQ+
BIPOC LGBTQ+
Sexuality and Gender Identity
PTSD/Trauma
Relationship Violence (Domestic, Sexual, & Intimate Partner)
Areas that I often refer out to a different provider due to scope of practice include diagnosed personality disorders, substance use disorders/active addiction(s), and OCD. I recommend using PsychologyToday.com to find a therapist who specializes in these areas by using the filters on the left side. You can also review the Area Resources tab on this website’s navigation bar for other potential resources.
Modalities:
I am a multi-disciplinary therapist who pulls interventions from my training in a variety of modalities such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Informed*, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Behavioral Activation, and Internal Family Systems (IFS) Informed.
I am an EMDRIA Certified EMDR Psychotherapist. My primary approach and modality used is EMDR. EMDR processing requires that the client be able to tolerate exposure to emotional disturbances, past traumatic events, negative beliefs/cognitions, and sensations in the body. Some clients need time to develop tolerance of intense emotional disturbances before engaging in direct processing work.
*IMC is not DBT adherent; does not have DBT groups, consultation, or access to coaching calls.
Therapeutic Approach:
My therapeutic approach is client led and direct. Both client and therapist develop and agree on goals for therapy; the client identifies what is needed and prioritized in each session. This includes: insights, topics, thoughts, feelings, memories, disturbances, and content. As the therapist, I will assist in redirecting session content toward identified goals by utilizing the appropriate interventions. I will also identify and redirect content that does not align with the identified goals or does not aid in the therapeutic process. I consider myself a direct therapist. I directly reflect clients’ behaviors and thought patterns back to clients based on therapist observations and client reports. A direct therapeutic approach may feel confrontational, as this approach provides direct reality-oriented feedback to a client regarding the client's presentation and behaviors in session. My style is to help isolate maladaptive thought/behavior patterns and work with the client to shift these into more adaptive patterns that serve you, now. This approach is not preferred or appropriate for all clients and should be considered when seeking therapy.
Keep in mind that the relationship between a therapist and client is consensual and services are optional; either party is permitted to terminate the relationship at any time for any reason. Therapists have limits, a scope of practice, and the professional duty to observe capacity for change in a client and whether or not they are equipped to continue supporting a client.
I reference and remain informed by The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care for the Health of Transgender and Gender Nonconforming People and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).
Payment & Insurance Options
Self-Pay
Clients always have the option to self-pay. This means the client will not notify or use their health insurance for therapy services (“opt. out”) or does not have health insurance coverage. A diagnosis will not be required and records will not be submitted to health insurance. Clients will pay (in full) for session, at time of session(s).
Individual Sessions (45-53 minutes): Full Rate= $150
Sliding-Fee Scale is offered to a select number of clients.
Sliding-Fee Scale: $80 / $100 / $125
All Major Credit Cards Accepted.
Insurance
Before your first session, Insightful Minds Counseling asks that you contact the number on the back of your health insurance card to verify your Mental/Behavioral Health benefits. Be sure to verify your copay, coinsurance, or deductible and if Patrick Frame, MSW, LCSW is listed as an “in-network” provider. Without verifying updated insurance benefits and coverage, you may be responsible for your health insurance’s full rates.
Below is an instructional and informational form and script to help you verify coverage with your health plan.
Insightful Minds Counseling currently participates “in-network” in the following health insurance provider networks:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Cigna
UnitedHealthCare/Optum
Medicare
GEHA
Insightful Minds Counseling is not a Medicaid provider.
“Out-of-Network” Options:
You have the option to pay (in full) for your sessions, at time of service, and apply for reimbursement from your health insurance. The Therapist will provide you with a superbill. A Superbill is an itemized form given to clients outlining specific information about services rendered and payments made. Superbills contain information clients need to submit to insurance companies to, potentially, get reimbursed for services provided by your therapist. I would be happy to discuss the option of billing your health insurance “out-of-network” on your behalf.
Insightful Minds Counseling cannot guarantee that your health insurance company will reimburse you for all services.
You must check with your health insurance’s “out-of-network” benefits to verify this option.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Trauma and Trauma Therapy?
Trauma is one’s response to an event that presents an inability to cope. Trauma can infringe upon your sense of control, safety, trust, relationships, and self-image.
“Experienced or witnessed an event or events that involved actual or threatened death or serious injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of self or others, and which involved fear, helplessness, or horror” (American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).
Trauma can be broken down into three types:
Big T Trauma- A single incident such as rape/sexual assault, tornado (natural disasters), and car accident.
Little t Trauma- Accumulation of events with a beginning and foreseeable end such as bullying, childhood neglect, childhood attachment wounds, and repeated interpersonal conflicts. Some often refer to this as “Complex Trauma”.
Cumulative Trauma- Trauma that occurs over a lifespan due to identity, socio-economic status, affiliation, race/ethnicity, etc… Examples include racism, homophobia, transphobia, classism and poverty.
Trauma Therapy is the approach of the therapist addressing your experience and responses to traumatic events. The therapist will use a trauma informed/aware approach to meet you where you are in your healing journey and help you to understand how trauma has occurred in your life and how trauma may have affected your mind and body. Common therapy modalities used to treat affects of trauma are Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Art Therapy, and Brain Spotting.
Reference “About Your Therapist“ to verify the modalities and approaches used at Insightful Minds Counseling.
How Do I Know I Have Experienced Trauma or Benefit from Trauma Therapy?
The way we, humans with human brains, remember trauma can look different for everyone. People who have experienced trauma often do not remember the event(s) chronologically. It is common for survivors of trauma to spend a period of time (months to years) unable to remember or recall traumatic events.
Whether or not you can recall every detail of a traumatic event is not as significant as the trauma responses/ symptoms you may be displaying. Survivors of trauma often experience elevated anxiety and hypervigilence, fear of specific places, people, or situations (sometimes unsure why), distorted/irrational thoughts about the self and the world around them, relationship and intimacy issues, feeling alone or unable to connect with others, abrupt changes in mood or emotional states, dissociation, poor self/body image, and more.
If you are noticing that you share some of these experiences and possess the willingness and motivation to learn more about yourself, your body, and your mind then you may benefit from trauma therapy.
What If I Can’t Afford Therapy?
Please don’t let your financial situation prevent you from seeking support. Explore your options with Insightful Minds Counseling and/or other community mental health agencies.
Private Practice settings often offer “sliding fee scale” prices that are lower than the full rate for service. Ask therapists about their sliding scale options.
Many non-profit agencies and organizations offer free to low-cost counseling services. Inquire about these referrals/resources, as well.
Reference “Payments/Insurance” to learn more about your options affording therapy with Insightful Minds Counseling.
Explore additional resources on the Area Resources page or PsychologyToday.com to find therapists in your area.
Any Other Questions?
Contact Insightful Minds Counseling through the “Contact” page with any additional questions about services and resources.