Do you only work with military and first responders? 
No! I work with people from a wide range of backgrounds, including teachers, nurses, students, the business sector, and so on.  Often some unifying themes with my clients include having experienced trauma and working to better respond to triggers, uncomfortable emotions, and relationship issues that stem from it.  ​

How do I set up an appointment? 
The first step is to contact Dr. Marquez, preferably by e-mail, to ensure that your service needs and availability are a good fit. You may do this through the CONTACT form, as well.  If you decide to move forward with services, you will receive an email inviting you to create a login and profile on our secure client portal through TherapyNotes. Through this portal you will be asked to complete the standard intake documents, such as insurance information and reviewing our privacy policy.  It is also helpful to check ahead of time if we accept your insurance by going to our biller's website (CLICK HERE).  Once all the documents are completed and reviewed, your appointment will be scheduled.  Unfortunately, we cannot reserve or schedule an appointment time until all of the documents are complete.  ​

I've never been to therapy.  What should I expect?
Typically during the first couple of sessions, I ask a lot of questions and/or listen to you share about what brought you to therapy.  At that point, I'm looking to understand your struggle and your strengths that we can use to best design treatment.  Clients come into therapy with different interests and motivations, ranging from just wanting someone to process their feelings with to actively building skills through structured assignments.  In these earlier sessions, I'll be exploring where your interests lie. 

Although diagnosis is a necessary part of billing insurance, it's often not as helpful for telling us what needs to change (though not always).  For example, knowing someone meets the criteria of sleep disturbance for depression typically is not as helpful as learning that their perfectionistic tendencies at work keep them up at night worrying.  Instead, I use a case conceptualization approach that incorporates information about your background, current environment, and even your strengths and interests, to help us tailor therapy.  I'll share my observations and insights along the way to get your input so we can build an intervention you agree with. 

Do you give assignments?
I can.  Typically, I find most people do not enjoy homework and can feel embarrassed when it is not completed or rushed. It is not my goal to set people up for failure.  However, if you make it a habit to attend therapy and then forget about it once you leave, you may be setting your self up for disappointment.   The same can be said for merely attending "to vent," or have your perspective validated.  Growth takes work and is often uncomfortable! We can discuss ideas for how to put concepts into practice in ways you feel motivated to complete.  If you're not ready to put lessons into practice, therapy could still be helpful but there is a limit to what we may be able to do at that time.  

Do you do evaluations? How about letters for Emotional Support Animals? 
Although I am trained to do various types of evaluations, I do not offer them as a service.  Formal diagnostic evaluations are typically costly and often not very practically helpful (with some exceptions). Likewise, APA Ethics and Licensing standards dictate that a person's therapist is biased when conducting an evaluation which constitutes a prohibited "dual role" situation.  Dr. Marquez focuses on treatment and, therefore, cannot provide formal evaluation services (e.g., disability evaluation, parental custody evaluations, etc. ) to her clients.  

Can you see me via telehealth when I'm on vacation or in another state?
It depends.  Technology has surpassed some of the laws for practicing care.  Traditionally, a provider is bound to the state they and their client are located physically in.  The industry was initially slow to adapt to newer telehealth technology but COVID propelled it forward.  Dr. Marquez is presently licensed in North Carolina and PSYPACT which allows her to practice anywhere via telehealth that has adopted PSYPACT-supportive legislation. As of 06/31/2024, the following are places she CAN NOT see a client via telehealth: 
1. Anywhere internationally including U.S. Territories (except District of Columbia and North Mariana Islands are OKAY)
2. Alaska, California, Hawaii, Iowa, Louisian, Oregon, Massachusetts, Montana, New Mexico, New York, South Dakota, and Vermont

For more information, see: PSYPACTMap - Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT)

Puedes hablar Español?
Disenfortunadamente, no puedo ofrecer terapia en Español en este momento. Sin embargo, puedo referirlo a otro terapeuta que sea bilingüe.