About Betsy

Between sessions, you'll be practicing whatever skills we've been working on, so you're always making progress--even when I'm not around. Each time we meet, we'll figure out what's working, what's not, and what's next. My job is to make each session challenging and relevant, and to give you tools to help you be your brightest self--inside and outside the therapy setting.

Here's what you can expect:

You can expect me to:
* Ask direct questions
* Notice what others miss
* Tell you what I really think
* Care about your well-being and your relationships
* Insist you do your homework
* Make each step as easy as possible

Don't expect me to:
* Sit and nod
* Agree with you all the time
* Avoid difficult topics
* Work harder than you do
* Perform miracles very often

Half-Price Premarital and Newlywed Counseling Special!  As a couples therapist who's been happily married for 25 years, I have a special place in my heart for couples just starting out in life together. To help you develop healthy rituals that will strengthen your relationship, protect it from harm, and help you become your brightest selves, I offer a half-price counseling special: Three, 90-minute sessions for $300 (a $600 value).  The package includes a free OuchKit, and Love Bites.  To schedule, email me with your request.

A special note to those suffering from depression or anxiety:

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 10% of the adult population--or 15 million people--suffer from depression each year.  And 40 million suffer from anxiety disorders.  In older adults--especially women--these numbers are even higher.  And the numbers are rising, especially among children. 

"We got more out of our first session with Betsy than we did in 3 years of marriage counseling with another counselor."

"Being with Betsy was always like getting a great mental flossing.  I always left sessions with more to think about."

"I appreciate how "real" you are, and how you're able to capture the essence of an issue, instead of getting lost in the symptoms or outer layers."

"Just a quick update...things are going FABULOUS!! It is like I am living with a totally different person...well, the person that I always knew was in there - the person that I once fell in love with!! He's back!! Truly amazing...I am grateful to you and Al for that every day!!"

"My husband and I were talking about you tonight. You did amazing things for us. We've had a great couple of months realizing how much we love each other. Couples like us could put you out of business!"

"After our first session, my husband said 'This is the most hopeful I've felt in ages.' Thanks, Betsy!"

"We worked hard, but you gave us the tools. Without them, we could have worked just as hard and gotten nowhere--except maybe divorced."

"Thank you for your intense curiosity, intelligence, humor, and compassion."

"Betsy didn't turn away, judge, or silence me when things got uncomfortable or difficult."

"Thank you for all you have done, and all that you do. I believe your work is truly PRICELESS! I hope you know how much it is appreciated."

"Betsy pulled the truth from an ocean of craziness."

"Hi Betsy!  Our kids love the OuchKit.  So do we all!  They come in quite handy here, as we 'Ouch' each other on a regular basis. :)"

Credentials and Experience:

Master of Science in Counseling (Marriage & Family) 1983, California State University; Minnesota Board-Approved Supervisor of Marriage & Family Therapists. Bachelor of Science, University of California at Davis 1979. Scripps College, Claremont, CA, 1974. University of Minnesota, 1973.

Over 25 years of clinical experience. Clinical Memberships: American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy, Midwest Association of Marriage & Family Therapy.

Office hours and setting:  I work out of a lovely home-office, perched on a hill, and surrounded by trees. I work: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, from 9 a.m. to noon. I answer my own phones. I do not work evenings. I also I offer phone and email sessions for people who travel a lot, or have trouble getting to my office.  I usually return calls within a couple of hours.

Fees:  Therapists typically charge for what's called a "therapeutic hour," which lasts 45-50 minutes, instead of 60. This strange and misleading convention makes sense in busy clinics where therapists have to return calls between sessions in order to leave work on time. I don't charge this way. It's not only misleading to charge for an hour that's not really an hour, but I find that 45 minutes is not long enough to get much work done. My fees are based on either a 60-minute or a 90-minute session. 

A 60-minute session is $140.  A 90-minute session is $200.  Payment is due at the time of service.  Although I do not accept insurance, some clients have been successful at getting their insurance carrier (including Blue Cross and Medica Choice) to cover a percentage of their therapy on an "out-of-network" basis.  I'm happy to provide you with claims forms you can submit to your insurance company.  I also accept VISA and MasterCard payments.