Initially, we will meet to discuss the factors that bring you to therapy and I will give you some initial impressions of the kind of treatment that would be helpful to you.

During the first few sessions (3-4), we will be getting to know each other and I will be learning more about who you are and your history. During this time (and through out therapy) you are welcome to ask me questions as well. Therapeutic relationships are a two way street and you will want to be thinking about whether you feel comfortable working with me. Because therapy may involve a substantial commitment of time, money, and energy, it is important that you feel comfortable with the therapist you choose.

If you decide that you are not comfortable working with me, I would be happy to help you find another therapist. If you do decide to work with me, we will develop goals and a treatment plan together.

Once psychotherapy is initiated we will decide on a regular schedule of meetings; usually at least one session a week.

You may discontinue therapy at any time, though I strongly encourage you to discuss it with me first. I can provide you with referrals to other therapists or additional resources if that seems needed.

Some of there therapies I am trained to utilize in the context of psychotherapy include:

I am consistently seeking new education and trainings to remain up to date on the best approaches for the individuals who work with me.

At this time, we provide therapy both virtually and in person.

In Person:

Our brick and mortar location is at Trolley Corners located at 515 South 700 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84102, Suite 2D (across the street from Whole Foods)

Directions:

- Enter the parking deck behind the building by pulling into the northeast most entrance.

- Park on the second floor of the parking deck.

- Enter the door on the far left side of the building.

- You will see a hallway in front of you - walk down this hallway until you see 2D on your left.

- Hang out in our new lobby and I will come meet you for your appointment there.

Online

Our online practice takes place through a HIPPA compliant website called Simple Practice. Simple practice will send you reminder via text or email about your appointment. The link for your online session will be sent to you the day of your session. You can also make and cancel appointments using this online portal.

Should there be any technical issues before a virtual session, we will provide you with the opportunity to have a phone session or to reschedule. Should there be any technical issues during the session, we will call you on the number you've provided to resume the session or to make plans to resume the session.on

Unless there is an emergency that is communicated with the therapist - a 48 hour notice from is required to cancel or re-schedule appointment. If you request to cancel or reschedule later than 48 hours, you will be charged the full amount for the appointment. Your therapist will also provide you with a 48 hour notice of cancellation, unless there is an emergency. goes here

Topaz Healing does not accept insurance. This decision is based on our personal and professional values, and the quality of life we need to sustain our work as therapists. Visit this blog to learn more about our reasons for divesting from the insurance model. We can and do provide superbills for insurance reimbursement upon request.

Therapy tends to be more expensive when the therapist is an expert in a highly specialized field or treats an unusual or challenging condition. Therapists go to school for 6+ years and work largely for free for 2 or more years to gain clinical experience before calling themselves licensed.

Topaz Healing therapists have sought out specialized trauma training and paid out-of pocket to be able to provide trauma-specific approaches. We do this because we know it’s the best way to provide care.

Our rates range from $130 - $220. When people with enough resources offer to pay the higher rates, this creates more flexibility for people experiencing financial hardship.

If you are experiencing financial hardship, we encourage you to let us know so we can work together to offer support.

The health and safety within the relationship is the most impactful aspect of therapeutic work.

When building a relationship, consistency and frequency are a considerable piece of establishing a strong relationship.

We recommend that you start meeting with your therapist 1x per week for the first couple of months.

If you are unable to meet weekly, you’re invited to share with your therapist what frequency makes the most sense for you at this time and we will be open to navigating your schedule with you.

We are able to provide diagnoses for clients requesting them. At times, a diagnosis can be helpful for accessing resources and the community. Some can find the identification of a diagnosis validating and empowering. We largely do not diagnose without request because our philosophy is that what people present within our office that they are wanting to change is not pathological - rather, people are presenting with “symptoms” that are normal biological responses to a world, culture, and lived experience that is traumatizing or very difficult for any human to navigate.

We do not provide psychological evaluations for ADHD or Autism Spectrum Disorder at this time.

Our therapists are only licensed within the state of Utah and North Carolina. We are only able to work therapeutically with individuals who have an address in either of these states.

Caroline Pegram, LCSW is able to provide some somatic practice + facilitation for those who are living outside of Utah or North Carolina

Every month between we offer $200 and $400 to support Utah Diné Bikéyah, an organization dedicated to healing people and the Earth through supporting Indigenous communities and protecting their culturally significant, ancestral lands.

As a practice, we deeply value the role of transparency in informed consent. Being open about our social and political values allows you to make the best decision for yourself when choosing a therapist.

Below is a growing list of our truths:

* Black Lives Matter + white communities should divest from white supremacy by way of reconnection to culture of origin and intentional reparations

* Indigenous Lives and Practices are sacred + Indigenous People should be the centered in decision making about land stewardship and environmental repair

* Trans Lives are vital and should be uplifted in all social and political movements for justice 

* Women deserve equal access to personal autonomy over their lives and bodies  

* The abolition of capitalism is one of the greatest hopes for creating an equitable society  

* Climate change is real, corporate impact is the driving factor of for destructive climate change 

* People who use (even the most stigmatized) drugs deserve the same access to care and empathy as people who do not use drugs 

* Disability Justice is imperative in the fight for human rights and accessibility needs should be a given rather than a rarity 

* Housing, Healthcare, Education, Childcare, End of Life Care should be a right, not a privilege for those with access to wealth 

* I’ve learned a lot from intersectional feminists / abolitionist activists / queer theorists and have embraced the perspective offered by many elders in the fight for collective liberation 

It may be helpful to know that our systems and trauma approach isn’t just theoretical or intended only for individual practice. We believe this approach is valuable in all aspects of life in which humans interface with one another.

If we have political differences, that does not mean we are automatically unable to do meaningful work together.

Our hope is to provide a space where we can put “it” all out in the open and compassionately explore your worldview.

Frequently Asked Questions

Topaz Healing