The short answer is yes. Every single one of us goes through hard things: stress, loss, relationship struggles, life changes, emotions we don't quite know what to do with. Therapy isn't just for people in crisis. It's for anyone who wants to feel better, think clearer, or simply have a space that's just for them.

Most of us were never taught how to handle big emotions when we were young. Nobody sat us down and explained what to do when life feels like too much. Therapy is where you finally get to learn those skills, at your own pace, without judgment.

Whether you're navigating something specific or just know that something feels off, you deserve support. Reach out and we'll figure out together how we can help.

That's completely okay. You always set the pace here. There is no pressure to share anything before you're ready. A warm, trauma-informed approach means every session moves at your comfort level. Many clients find that just showing up is the hardest part, and everything gets a little easier from there.

Absolutely, and this is an area of deep passion. As a certified alcohol and drug counselor, working with people in recovery is not just something offered here, it is something embraced wholeheartedly. Whether you are newly sober, years into your recovery, or somewhere in between, you are welcome here. We will work together to rebuild confidence, rediscover motivation, and reconnect with your sense of purpose. Recovery is hard work and you deserve someone in your corner who truly gets it.

Please note that if you arrive to a session, whether in person or virtual, and appear to be under the influence of alcohol or any other substance, we will need to reschedule. This comes from a place of genuine care. The therapeutic work we do together requires you to be present, safe, and able to fully engage, and that simply is not possible when substances are involved. Your safety always comes first, and the full session fee will apply as this will be treated as a late cancellation. There is no judgment here, only a commitment to making sure every session counts and that you are always in a safe space to do the hard and beautiful work of healing.

Blue Rock Therapy, LLC currently works with clients ages 16 and older. Younger clients may be considered on a case by case basis. Please check back, as services for younger teens and children may become more widely available in the future.

At this time Blue Rock Therapy does not provide services for children. If you are looking for a child therapist, we are happy to help point you in the right direction.

Most of my clients are 16 and older, but I know development doesn't follow strict age cutoffs. If your child is younger and you think we might be a match, I'm happy to have a conversation about it. Reach out and let’s talk.

Yes, Blue Rock Therapy offers couples therapy using Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), an approach that helps couples move out of negative cycles and build more trust, safety, and connection. Sessions are 60 minutes and are currently offered on a limited basis, so please reach out to check current availability.

Couples therapy is self pay only, at $175 per session. An opt out form is provided at intake.

Family therapy is not currently offered. Please check back, as this may be added in the future.

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and it is one of the most powerful tools available for healing from painful experiences. It is especially effective for trauma, PTSD, anxiety, phobias, grief, low self-esteem, and chronic pain. If you have ever found yourself stuck in a pattern you cannot seem to shake, reacting to present situations with emotions that feel bigger than the moment, or carrying pain from the past that just will not let go, EMDR may be exactly what you have been looking for.

One of the most important things to understand about EMDR is that painful experiences do not just leave emotional scars. They often leave behind deeply held negative beliefs about ourselves. Things like "I am not good enough," "I am not safe," "I am unlovable," or "It was my fault." These beliefs can quietly run in the background of our lives, shaping how we see ourselves and the world around us without us even realizing it. EMDR works to heal those beliefs at the root, not just manage the symptoms on the surface.

Some real life examples of what EMDR can help with:

• A car accident that still makes you tense every time you get behind the wheel

• Childhood experiences that show up uninvited in your adult relationships

• A loss or period of grief that feels impossible to move through

• Chronic physical pain that has an emotional component tied to past experiences

• A traumatic medical event or diagnosis that left you feeling fearful or helpless

• Feeling worthless or not good enough no matter how much you accomplish

• The voice in your head that tells you that you are too much, not enough, or simply do not matter

• Anxiety that seems to come out of nowhere but is actually rooted in something older and deeper

Sometimes when we go through something painful or traumatic, our brain does not fully process that experience the way it normally would. Instead it gets stuck, and those memories can continue to cause distress, anxiety, or emotional pain long after the event has passed.

EMDR helps the brain go back and finish processing those stuck memories. Using guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation, meaning alternating left and right sensations, your therapist walks alongside you as your brain does the work of reprocessing the memory so it loses its emotional charge. Many clients describe feeling like the memory is still there but it no longer feels so heavy or overwhelming.

EMDR is evidence based and widely recognized as one of the most effective treatments for trauma and so much more.

What is the difference between CBT and DBT?

Both are evidence based approaches but they work a little differently. Here is a simple way to think about it.

CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) - Working on how you think

CBT is based on a simple but powerful idea: the way we think affects the way we feel, and the way we feel affects the way we act. When we are struggling, our thoughts can become distorted, exaggerated, or just plain unkind, and those thoughts quietly drive our emotions and behaviors without us realizing it. CBT helps you catch those thought patterns, challenge them, and replace them with something more balanced and helpful.

What this might look like in a session:

• Noticing that you automatically think "everyone hates me" when a friend does not text back and learning to question that thought

• Identifying that you avoid social situations because of a deeply held belief that you will embarrass yourself, and gently working to challenge that belief

• Recognizing that when you make a mistake at work your brain immediately jumps to "I am going to get fired" and learning to bring that thought back to reality

• Discovering the connection between dreading Mondays, feeling physically sick on Sunday nights, and a core belief that you are not capable

CBT is practical, structured, and gives you real tools you can use outside of the therapy room every single day.

DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) - Working on how you feel and cope

DBT was originally developed for people who experience emotions very intensely, the kind of feelings that can feel completely overwhelming and hard to control. It focuses on four key skill areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Think of DBT as a toolbox filled with concrete, practical skills for getting through the hard moments without making things worse.

What this might look like in a session:

• Learning how to pause and breathe before reacting when a conversation with a loved one starts to escalate

• Practicing skills to get through a wave of overwhelming emotion without turning to something harmful to cope

• Working on how to communicate your needs clearly and confidently without shutting down or exploding

• Learning to sit with uncomfortable feelings instead of immediately trying to escape them

• Developing a plan for what to do when you feel like everything is falling apart at once

DBT is especially helpful for people who feel like their emotions run the show, who struggle in relationships, or who have a hard time coping when life gets overwhelming.

Think of it this way: CBT helps you change the way you think, and DBT helps you manage the way you feel. Many therapists at Blue Rock Therapy draw from both depending on what you need, because healing rarely fits neatly into one box.

We do our best to get you in as quickly as possible. In most cases new clients are seen within one to two weeks depending on current availability. Reach out today and we will find the soonest available time that works for you.

Before your first appointment there are a few important steps for you to take care of:

• Verify your insurance benefits directly with your insurance provider before your first session

• Confirm whether your plan requires a prior authorization for mental health services, and if so obtain that before your appointment

• Let us know if you have more than one insurance plan. We will submit claims to your primary insurance only, and it is your responsibility to inform us of any additional coverage

• Review your benefits including your copay, deductible, and any coinsurance so you know what to expect at the time of service

Taking care of these steps ahead of time helps everything run smoothly so your first session can be focused entirely on you. description

It's simple. Call or email us, whichever feels easier. Email is often fastest and voicemail is completely confidential. We offer a free 15 minute consultation so we can learn a little about you, make sure we're a good fit, and get you on the schedule. You'll receive a link to complete a short intake form before your first session so we can hit the ground running and spend your time on what matters most: you.

The good news is most of your paperwork is handled before you even walk in the door. Through the SimplePractice portal you will complete your intake forms, consent documents, and any other required paperwork ahead of time. Please make sure all forms are filled out before your session so your time is spent on what matters most.

For your first session, here is what to have ready:

• Your insurance card and a valid photo ID

• Your completed SimplePractice intake paperwork

• Any questions or topics you want to make sure we cover

• A general idea of what brought you to therapy and what you are hoping to work on

There is no need to have it all figured out. Just show up and we will take it from there.

Think of the first session as the foundation for everything that comes next. We will walk through a biopsychosocial assessment together, which is simply a structured conversation that helps us understand you as a whole person: your background, your life experiences, what has shaped you, and what you are carrying right now. We will also talk about anything you want to address in therapy and start mapping out your goals together.

One thing we want you to know before you even walk through the door: you do not need to come in ready to pour out every painful detail of your life. There is no need to trauma dump or cover every life event in your first session. We will get to what matters, at a pace that feels right for you. The first session is about building a foundation of trust and understanding, not reliving everything all at once.

It sounds like a lot, but it feels like a conversation. You are never put on the spot and you are always welcome to share only what feels comfortable. By the end of your first session, you will have a clearer picture of where you are starting and where we are headed together. That clarity is powerful, and it means your very next session we can get straight to the work that matters most to you.

What are your session hours?

• Monday through Thursday: 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM (virtual)

• Friday: 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM (in person or virtual)

• Saturday: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM (in person or virtual)

Sessions last up to one hour. Evening and Saturday appointments mean therapy can actually fit into your real life. Contact us to confirm current availability.

Blue Rock Therapy is located in Columbia, South Carolina, near the Forest Acres area, for in-person appointments. Virtual sessions are available to anyone across South Carolina. Flexible evening and Saturday appointments mean there is an option that works for your life. Contact us, and we will find what works best for you.

Accessing your virtual session is simple. Before your appointment you will receive a secure link by email that takes you directly into your session. You can also access it by logging into the SimplePractice client portal or app, where you will see Blue Rock Therapy and your upcoming session information. The session link becomes active shortly before your appointment time.

A few things to keep in mind for virtual sessions:

• Find a private, quiet space where you feel comfortable speaking freely

• Please make sure you are alone in the room to protect your confidentiality and get the most out of your session

• Dress as you would for an in person appointment, meaning please be fully dressed including a shirt and pants

• Treat the session as if we are in the same room together. Please avoid multitasking, stepping away, or using the restroom during your session. Your time is valuable and you deserve to be fully present for it

• Make sure your device is charged and your internet connection is stable

• Headphones are recommended for added privacy

Healing is not a straight path from point A to point B, and that is completely normal. Progress looks different for everyone and that is okay. Some people come in with a specific goal and find their footing in just a few sessions. Others discover that peeling back one layer reveals another, and longer term support is where they thrive. There is no right or wrong timeline.

What matters is that your pace is always respected. Session frequency and duration are tailored to you and revisited together as you grow. The goal is never to keep you in therapy longer than you need, but to make sure you leave feeling equipped, confident, and ready to take on whatever comes next.

Insurance and self-pay are both accepted payment options. Superbills are available upon request for out-of-network reimbursement. Payment, copays, and deductibles are due at the time of service and can be made by credit or debit card.

In most cases yes. HSA (Health Savings Account) and FSA (Flexible Spending Account) cards can typically be used for mental health services including therapy, and they generally work just like a regular debit or credit card at the time of payment. However, we recommend confirming with your HSA or FSA plan administrator that outpatient mental health therapy is a covered expense under your specific plan, as rules can vary. If you need a receipt or documentation for reimbursement purposes, just let us know and we will provide it.

Yes, a limited number of sliding scale spots are available for clients who demonstrate financial need. These spots are offered on a case by case basis. If cost is a concern, please mention it when you reach out and we will do our best to find a solution that works for you. We believe cost should never be the only thing standing between you and getting the support you deserve.

We require at least 24 hours notice to cancel or reschedule an appointment. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance or missed sessions without notice will be charged the full session fee. Please note that insurance does not reimburse for no-show or late cancellation fees, and payment will be due at the time of the missed appointment.

We understand life happens. If something comes up, please reach out as soon as possible so we can do our best to work with you.

Rescheduling is easy. You can call or email us, or log into the SimplePractice app and reschedule directly from there at your convenience. We recommend rescheduling as soon as you know you need to so we can find the best available time for you.

What you share in therapy stays in therapy. Blue Rock Therapy follows HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2 privacy requirements. Nothing is ever disclosed without your written consent and a signed Release of Information, and only on a need-to-know basis.

There are a small number of legal exceptions to confidentiality:

• Threat of harm to yourself or others

• Child abuse or neglect

• Elder or vulnerable adult abuse or neglect

• Substance use during pregnancy of 24 weeks or more, as required by South Carolina law

Your safety is always the priority. If there is imminent danger, a crisis response or mandated report may be required by law.

Please also note that in group therapy, all participants are expected but not legally required to keep what is shared private. Full confidentiality cannot be guaranteed in a group setting.

Blue Rock Therapy, LLC is a therapy based practice and we do not prescribe medication. If medication is something you are exploring, we recommend speaking with your primary care provider or a psychiatrist. We are happy to collaborate with other members of your care team to make sure you are supported from every angle.

That is a completely valid feeling and more common than you might think. The relationship between a therapist and client is one of the most important parts of the healing process, and it does not always click right away or at all, and that is okay. If you ever feel like it is not working, please say so. Your therapist will never take it personally and will be glad to help connect you with someone who may be a better fit. Your growth and wellbeing always come first.

Your therapist is available during scheduled sessions, but we never want you to feel alone between appointments. If something comes up, jot it down to bring to your next session or reach out to us to check for an earlier opening.

If you are in crisis or feel unsafe, please reach out immediately:

• Call 911

• South Carolina Mobile Crisis Line: 833-364-2274

• Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988

You are never truly alone. Help is always available.