A clearer idea of what to expect.
Beginning therapy can bring up practical questions as well as personal ones. These answers cover common concerns about getting started, payment, Lacy’s background, and the therapy process.
Before your first appointment
How do I get started?
Begin by choosing a free 15-minute consultation through the secure SimplePractice scheduling portal. It is a brief opportunity to share what kind of support you are seeking, ask questions, and discuss whether Guiding Waters may be a good fit.
What insurance plans are currently listed?
Guiding Waters currently lists Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, Dean Health Plan, and direct ForwardHealth. Other payment options may also be available.
Coverage, network participation, deductibles, and benefits can change. Please confirm your individual benefits directly with your insurance plan before beginning services.
What should I expect from therapy?
Therapy is collaborative. You bring your experiences, priorities, and goals; the therapist provides support, perspective, education, and practical tools. Care is personalized rather than based on a one-size-fits-all formula.
The beginning commonly includes paperwork, background information, discussion of your goals, and any assessments appropriate for your care. You will have opportunities to ask questions and talk about the pace and direction of treatment.
About the care provided
What is Lacy’s educational background?
Lacy earned a Master of Science in Counselor Education from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater in May 2018. Her education included study related to mental health, substance use, trauma, human services, and neuroscience.
You can learn more about Lacy and the Guiding Waters approach on the About page.
What specialized training informs her work?
Lacy’s background includes work with individuals, couples, and families along with training in EMDR therapy, structural dissociation, and ego state therapy. These perspectives can help care account for relationships, learned patterns, trauma responses, and the different ways people process difficult experiences.
What is EMDR therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy approach designed to help people process distressing memories and experiences. It may use bilateral stimulation—such as guided eye movements—within a structured treatment process.
EMDR is not the same as simply retelling a difficult experience. Preparation, stabilization, pacing, and collaboration are important parts of determining whether and how it may be used. Learn more on the EMDR Therapy service page or visit EMDRIA (opens in a new tab).
What therapy approaches may be used?
Care may draw from person-centered, solution-focused, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral, dialectical behavior, EMDR-informed, and other approaches according to the client’s needs, goals, readiness, and preferences.
A consultation can help you discuss what you are looking for and ask which approaches may be appropriate for your situation.
Take the next step with a conversation.
Use a free 15-minute consultation to ask what matters to you and learn about possible next steps.