Sara Weand, LPC, DBT Therapist

Over the years, I've received calls asking if I'd be able to work with the caller's spouse, friend, child, relative, etc. because the person calling is concerned about them. This can be tricky because sometimes those most needing the help, will resist it. I truly believe that counseling will be successful when the individual in therapy is invested and actively engaged in their own counseling experience. So, when someone inquires about help for someone they care about, I require that that person needs to initiate a consultation with me, not only to demonstrate their own desire for help, but to make sure it's a good fit for us to work together.

Well, that depends. When people reach out to me for help, they've often been dealing with whatever it is for quite a while and they've reached their breaking point. I believe that when searching for a mental health therapist, it is so essential to find the best fit for you. That's why I offer free 15 minute consults- It's important for both the individual reaching out and I are a good fit for working together. That means, that if I don't have the specialty you need to help you, I'll make sure to help you find someone who can. That's one of the reasons why I keep my caseload on the smaller size-because when you and I decide it's a good fit to move forward, I'm passionate about helping you and invested in your treatment.

One myth about counseling is that you need to be seriously mentally ill or have "issues" to seek counseling or therapy. However, many people seek a counselor to help them work through a stressful event or to help them reevaluate things in their lives. Some people often work with a therapist to help them gain more self awareness or to simply maintain a good self care routine. I typically recommend therapy or counseling when you realize that whatever's going on in your life is interfering with your quality of life or you need help creating a life worth living. Bottom line- in most cases, you'll know something's not right and hopefully not wait too long to reach out for help.

For my clients involved in DBT, in-between session coaching is intended for instances outside of the therapy session, when my clients need "in the moment" help and support implementing the DBT skills they've been learning in therapy. Coaching calls are structured specifically to be brief and focus on problem-solving. When a client begins therapy with me, we discuss details on how and reasons for, using these coaching calls. It is important to note that I am not 'on call', and for emergency, life threatening situations, clients are instructed to call 911, etc.

DBT stands for Dialectical Behavior Therapy. It has been shown to be effective and is the treatment of choice for treating Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), and various other mental health problems. In my private counseling practice, I use a DBT approach, which is a behavior-based therapy, while embracing a dialectical worldview. For my therapy practice, that includes individual psychotherapy sessions, DBT skills training, and providing in-between session coaching calls as needed. My clients commit to 1-2 individual therapy sessions per week, which includes time spent learning and implementing DBT skills training. In-between session coaching calls are designed to be brief, problem-solving calls, intended to help support my clients implement their DBT skills outside of the therapy session.

Part of the therapy process is coming up with goals you want to accomplish over the course of treatment. You and I will come up with a treatment plan together by identifying what you hope to get from counseling or how your life would change if therapy's doing what you need it to. Over the course of weeks, months, etc, we will be routinely reviewing your treatment plan to make sure you're making progress. If you're not seeing progress, that means we have to switch things up or adjust as needed, so you can see the improvement you hoped for in your life.

While every client has individualized treatment, there are some things clients can expect while they work with me in therapy. You can expect to learn about mindfulness and we'll most likely begin your session with an in-person mindfulness practice exercise. We'll talk a bit about your recent week and I'll assess your symptoms you've experienced. Therapeutic "homework" is also routinely given so you can practice skills you've been learning in counseling, during the time between your therapy sessions.

Prior to your first counseling session, you'll have already reviewed and completed my electronic documents needed for the intake "paperwork". After a quick review of those forms, we can dive right in and get to work. During this initial therapy session, we'll chat a bit about what you hope to accomplish in therapy and come up with a "game plan". We'll go over any questions you may have and also talk about how we'll know if therapy is or isn't working. One of my goals for your first therapy session is to help you feel a bit more comfortable with me and the therapeutic process.

For someone who's never been to a counseling session before, it can be an intimidating experience. All mental health clinicians are different in that literally, each is their own separate person, with their own set of specialties, approaches, and personalities. Generally speaking (and with the understanding that this is not an all-encompassing list), most therapists will: initially take time to build and foster a trusting, working relationship with their clients; provide a judgement-free space for their clients, while also challenging some of the things clients want help in changing; and with the client's help, come up with a plan for treatment.

It depends on you and what your goals are for therapy. Generally speaking, clients who work with me are committed to weekly sessions. For those clients who are doing DBT, it may mean that they have sessions twice a week. Therapy is an investment- an investment with potential, long term, positive change. When individuals work with me, they are investing in life- their life. My clients who are the most successful in reaching their goals tend to be more actively engaged in their therapy process.

If you booked your own virtual/online consultation via my website, you will receive an email with directions on completing a form for providing consent to electronic communication, in addition to, information on connecting to your consultation appointment. On the day of your scheduled consultation, you'll receive an email with a link to click so you can access your appointment. If you plan on using a laptop or personal computer, you will simply click on a link that will be emailed to you. For a smart device, you'll need to download an app in order to access your consultation. Other than that, you'll need a strong internet connection, a private space that will limit interruptions, and good lighting.

Finding a therapist who is a good fit is a very personal decision. During your consultation, we'll chat a bit about the reasons you're seeking counseling and I'll provide you with information on how I work with clients. It's super important to make sure that working with me is a good fit for you. Once we've determined that we'll be working together, I'll send you electronic documents for you to complete prior to your initial session. That way, we'll be able to dig in right away instead of filling out paperwork during your first session.

The current research supports virtual counseling to be as effective as in person therapy.

I believe that seeking therapy should not be stigmatizing. One of the many reasons that counseling is so powerful is due to the fact that it is a genuinely private and personalized experience. Insurance companies differ in so many ways and even individual plans under the same insurance provider can be vastly different- including how much detail they need to know about your therapy or treatment. I also value the time we spend together during your counseling sessions. I am a more effective therapist when I'm not stressing out over spending time arguing with insurance companies. Because I respect your needs for privacy in your counseling experience and am committed to being the most effective therapist I can be, (in addition to many other reasons), I've chosen to not be an in network clinician for any insurance company.

No, I do not offer a sliding scale.

I accept VISA, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Flexible Savings Accounts (FSAs).

Because all insurance companies and individual policies are so different, it is important that you contact your insurance company and inquire about your out-of-network benefits. However, typically, if you have a PPO, you likely will have an out-of-network benefit you can access. In my experience, these will vary depending upon so many factors and that is why I recommend contacting them to get clarification.

I am an out of network provider. That means that I am not contracted with any particular insurance company. When clients work with me, they pay me up front and then I provide documentation (i.e. "Superbill") for them to submit to their insurance company for whatever out of network reimbursement they are entitled to.

My current rate is $256 per 50-minute therapy session. Please note that I typically review my fees several times a year. For the most, up to date information, please visit my website.

If you're interested in pursuing mental health therapy with me, I provide free, 15 minute, phone or virtual consultations. To schedule your phone or virtual consultation, you can give me a call at 717-685-5074 or visit my website, saraweandlpc.com to book your own, by clicking on the "contact" tab at the top of the page.

I offer free, 15-minute, consultations via phone or online (virtually). You can either call me at 717-685-5074 or visit saraweandlpc.com to schedule your own consultation by clicking on the "contact" tab.

I provide free, 15-minute, phone or virtual consultations before scheduling therapy appointments. You can either call me at 717-685-5074, or book your own virtual or phone consultation by visiting saraweandlpc.com and then clicking on the "contact" tab.

In my private counseling practice, I work with people 18 years or older.

I specialize in helping people with powerful feelings manage their anxiety. That includes using DBT, working with people who are anxious, have experienced trauma or struggle with Borderline Personality Disorder.

Therapy is a commitment and your appointment days/times are yours and yours only. I am committed to your therapy and value the time we work together. Because of this, I require a 48 hour notice for cancellations. If your cancellation is within that 48 hours, you will be charged the full session fee.

If we determine that it makes sense for your individual counseling sessions to be longer, we can definitely talk about that option on an individual basis. I can be reached in-between sessions on a case by case basis. For my clients who are involved in DBT, it is quite possible that 2 sessions a week would be appropriate. I am not 'on call'; however, in-between session coaching calls may be appropriate and are discussed during your initial session.

Every client has different needs and goals for therapy. Because therapy is a truly, unique, personal experience for each individual, the length of time varies for each client. Typically, clients who prioritize their own mental health wellness, by committing to weekly counseling sessions, while actively engaging in the therapeutic process, tend to meet their goals and get relief from their symptoms faster than clients who are ambivalent to their treatment.

In my experience, when people first reach out, they've been struggling for a while and ready to start feeling better. When my clients are seen in therapy weekly, they meet their goals more quickly. Most people don't want to be in therapy forever. :)

Individual session time is 50 minutes.

I schedule client sessions Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Individual session times are scheduled at 9am, 10:15am, 11:30am, and 12:45pm. My clients commit to weekly sessions and typically on the same day and time each week.

My private practice is fully virtual.

At the present time, I do have room in my schedule. If you are thinking about pursuing counseling, please reach out soon because my availability is very limited.

People often ask me how online therapy or counseling actually works, so I thought I'd address it here. Just like going to a counselor or therapist's office in person, having an online or virtual (Telehealth/Teletherapy) therapy appointment is very similar, but from the comfort of your own home, office, or even parked car. My sessions with clients are done with the utmost importance to privacy by using my fully HIPAA compliant and secure, private practice software, SimplePractice, so you can feel confident that your information is kept confidential, protected, and private.

Miranda, great question! DBT stands for Dialectical Behavior Therapy and is the 'treatment of choice' for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). 'Dialectical' means finding a balance between opposites, with the most prominent dialectic of integrating 'acceptance' and 'change' during therapy. DBT incorporates a dialectical worldview while using a behavioral approach. This means that therapists work with their clients to identify behaviors that relate to their overall goals in order to help them solve the problems in their lives. For more details on BPD and DBT, check out my blog at: https://www.saraweandlpc.com/blog-counseling-annville-pa