Frequently Asked Questions
-
Equestrian psychology combines mental skills training with an understanding of the unique demands of riding and horse sport. It involves working on skills like managing competition anxiety, building confidence, improving focus, handling fear, and developing mental resilience - all with someone who understands horses, riding, and equestrian culture. For riders dealing with clinical issues like anxiety disorders, trauma, or depression that impact their riding, I also provide psychotherapy using evidence-based approaches.
-
Therapy addresses diagnosable mental health conditions like anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD, eating disorders, or OCD that may be affecting your riding and your life. Performance consulting focuses on mental skills training to enhance your riding performance - things like managing show nerves, building confidence, improving focus, and goal-setting. Many equestrians benefit from both. We'll discuss what approach makes the most sense for your specific situation.
-
Not at all. Many riders work with me purely for performance enhancement - learning mental skills to ride more confidently, manage competition pressure, or break through plateaus. Others come for help with clinical issues. Both are completely valid reasons to seek support, and we'll tailor our work to what you need.
-
Yes. I work with everyone from recreational riders to professionals, across all disciplines - hunters, jumpers, eventers, dressage riders, western riders, and more. The mental challenges of riding exist at every level, and the work we do is tailored to your specific goals and experience.
-
Yes. I’ve ridden since childhood and understand the unique challenges riders face - the physical risks, the partnership with a large prey animal, the culture of the sport, the financial pressures, and the emotional investment we make in our horses. This first-hand experience informs my work with equestrians, and there’s no need to explain what a correct lead is!
About specialization
-
Telehealth sessions are conducted via a secure HIPAA-compliant video platform from wherever you have privacy and a good internet connection - your home, barn office, hotel room at a horse show, or anywhere else that works for you. It's especially convenient for equestrians with unpredictable schedules, those who travel for competitions or work, or riders who want to maintain consistency even when they're on the road. Many riders actually prefer telehealth because it fits more easily into their busy lives.
-
Yes, for clients in Southern New Jersey and surrounding areas, I can meet you at your barn, at competitions, or in a traditional office setting. On-site work can be particularly helpful for addressing fear or anxiety in the actual riding environment, working through specific situations, or providing support during important competitions.
-
I am licensed in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Utah. Additionally, I am authorized by PSYPACT to work via telehealth with clients who are in any of the states participating in PSYPACT. This means that if you're physically located in a PSYPACT state during our sessions, we can work together regardless of where you normally live or where you’re traveling.
-
As a psychologist, I cannot prescribe medication - only psychiatrists and certain other medical providers can do that. However, I'm happy to collaborate with your doctor or psychiatrist if medication is something you're considering or already taking. For many people, a combination of therapy and medication is helpful, while others prefer to work on things through therapy alone.
About services
-
Contact me to schedule a free initial phone call. We'll discuss what you're looking for, answer any questions you have, and determine if we're a good fit to work together. From there, we can schedule your first session and begin the work of helping you ride and live more confidently. And if it doesn’t seem like we’re a good fit, that’s ok! It’s very important that you receive the appropriate mental health care and I simply cannot offer it all, or at least not to the standard I expect. If that’s the case, I’ll give you referrals to other providers who may be able to better meet your specific needs.
-
For mental health therapy:
Initial intake: 60 minutes, $300. Includes assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning.
Individual sessions: 45 minutes, $200. (30- and 60-minute sessions also available.)
Family therapy sessions: 50 minutes, $225. Family sessions can be valuable when family support is critical to treatment, such as helping a child with OCD therapy homework or supporting a partner with eating disorder recovery.
For sport and performance consulting:
Online sessions: 45 minutes, $150.
On-site sessions: 75 minutes, $250 (within 20 miles of Mays Landing, NJ; custom pricing for additional mileage).
Please note: I'm currently building my sport psychology practice under mentorship as I work toward CMPC certification. These are introductory rates that reflect my training status and will increase upon completion of training milestones and certification.
-
I am not in-network with any insurance companies and payment is required at the time of service.
Performance consulting services may not be covered by insurance, as insurance companies only pay for medically necessary services.
However, in cases where a mental health diagnosis is indicated, you may be able to receive partial reimbursement of session fees if you have out-of-network benefits. Start by easily checking your benefits and determine how much you’d end up paying per session. I’m happy to provide a superbill so you can submit claims to your insurance company. If paperwork isn’t your thing, I have partnered with Mentaya, an optional service that assists clients with out-of-network claim submission to streamline reimbursement. They charge a risk-free 5% fee per claim. You can sign up for Mentaya here.
-
Initially, I will share with you what you can expect from our work together; this process is called informed consent. I will spend much of the first and possibly second appointment getting to know you, which means I’ll ask a lot of questions! We’ll discuss what you want to focus on during our work together and then set some goals. Subsequent sessions will be spent addressing those chosen topics through thoughtfully-applied therapeutic interventions. We will assess your progress at various points along the way, allowing me to receive feedback and make adjustments as needed. This process lets us work toward accomplishing your goals while respecting your individual needs and timeline.
-
It varies depending on what you're working on and your individual situation. Some riders notice improvements within a few weeks - feeling less anxious before shows, riding with more confidence, or managing fear more effectively. Deeper issues like trauma recovery, overcoming significant mental blocks, or addressing long-standing mental health concerns typically take longer. We'll check in regularly about your progress and adjust our approach as needed.
About logistics
-
Absolutely. Fear is one of the most common reasons riders seek help, whether it's fear after a fall, fear that developed gradually, or fear of specific things like jumping or cantering. We'll work together to understand what's driving the fear and use proven techniques to help you rebuild confidence at a pace that feels manageable for you.
-
Never. My approach is collaborative and respectful of your pace. While I will encourage you to challenge yourself and step outside your comfort zone when appropriate, we'll always work together to determine what feels manageable. Healing and growth happen when you feel supported, not when you're being pushed beyond what you can handle.
-
That's exactly what the free consultation is for - to explore whether this kind of support makes sense for your situation. There's no obligation, and it's a chance for both of us to see if we're a good match. Even if you decide it's not the right time or approach for you, I'm happy to point you toward other resources that might be helpful.
-
There are many reasons previous work might not have been effective - wrong therapeutic approach, lack of understanding of equestrian culture and the unique challenges riders face, not enough time, or perhaps you weren't ready at that point. Specialized training in both clinical psychology and performance psychology, combined with deep knowledge of the equestrian world, can make a significant difference. It's worth giving it another try with someone who truly understands what you're going through.