Lawson Psychotherapy

Making meaning together

Neurodiversity and LGBTQIA+ affirming psychodynamic therapy for individuals and couples

Psychodynamic therapy focuses on how early experiences contribute to how you move through the world and relate with others. In psychodynamic therapy, we also attend to particular patterns in your life and relationships. My approach is also informed by existential-humanistic and phenomenological theories of human development. I offer affirming dynamic therapy for neurodivergent clients and members of the LGBTQIA+ commmunity. In person sessions are available at my office in Harrisonburg, VA and teletherapy appointments are available throughout Virginia and in all PSYPACT® participating states. For a more in-depth description of how I work, see the About page.

Couples Therapy

Individual Therapy

Teletherapy

Being deeply understood

I believe we all need to be understood by those closest to us. Sometimes we do not receive that understanding and this can result in suffering. Therapy is a place where my primary focus is on understanding you, your experiences, and what you feel. Feeling understood is the first step towards change and transformation. This commitment is the foundation of my work in both couples and individual therapy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Complete the contact form. Once received, I will reach out to schedule an initial consultation.

The initial consultation is a 20 to 30 minute, virtual, no cost, consultation to get know you, what is bringing you to therapy, and to assess whether we are a good fit to work together. I will ask you some questions, tell you more about my therapeutic approach, and you will have time to ask me questions as well.

The working relationship between therapist and client is vital to the success of therapy, and therapy is a significant investment of time and resources, so finding a therapist with whom you feel a good rapport is important.

I currently work with a third party platform to bill insurance for individual therapy only. If we agree to work together, and you wish to use insurance, we will discuss this platform and billing during our initial consultation. I currently can accept Anthem/BCBS and Aetna for people located in Virginia only.

Unfortunately, probably not. Many health insurance policies do not cover relationship, couples, or marital therapy, as couples therapy is not specifically focused on treating a mental health disorder. Couples therapy is focused on helping individuals improve their romantic relationships. This is not considered a medically necessary service by most health insurance policies.

An intake is a first session, where I will gather background information related to your reasons for seeking therapy, your developmental history, and other information that helps me better understand you and what is bringing you to therapy. Ideally, I prefer 90 minutes for the intake, to allow enough time to gather this information.

Individual sessions typically last between 50 and 55 minutes and are held weekly. We may meet more or less frequently if appropriate. We will discuss frequency of sessions in our first session.

Couples sessions vary in length due to various factors. When possible, I prefer to see couples for at least 75 minutes, once a week. If schedules do not allow for a 75 minute session, we will meet for 50-55 minutes.

If you are located in a PSYPACT® state we can potentially work together. PSYPACT® allows authorized psychologists to work across state lines.

See my PSYPACT® page here for more information and for a link to the PSYPACT® official map to see if you live in a PSYPACT® state.

As a reminder, I am unable to bill insurance for clients who are not located in Virginia.