Frequently asked questions

What is working with you like?

I work in a relational manner, which means we get to know one another (personalities, defenses, patterns, humor) and share candor, transparency, confrontation, intensity, and levity. I involve myself in the therapeutic process–countless trainings, many meditation retreats, ceremonial work, nature, intuition, and discipline–as an approach to liaise your growth, awareness, and restoration.

I cherish the balancing of respect, shared wisdom, insight, vulnerability, and transformation during (and after!) therapy. A mutual goal to reduce suffering is often included into our therapeutic process.

Do you teach skills for emotional regulation?

While skill-building and skill-implementing are critical parts of getting well, and I sometimes will bring this material forward, my style is considered more process-oriented: the work we do centers experiential and emotionally-driven space. Those who benefit most from my style already have a foundation of emotional self-regulation and are willing to practice becoming familiar with uncomfortability.

If you are looking into heavily-structured or routine-y sessions, I may not be the best fit for you.

I don't live in North Carolina. Are we still able to work together?

Yes, if we are a strong therapeutic match and I have space for another therapeutic guidance client (commonly known as coaching) at the time of your inquiry. Please reach out for more specific information regarding the difference between therapy and coaching.

Do you offer one-off sessions?

I currently do not offer one-off sessions for new clients. Most clients will benefit from a commitment to a minimum of three sessions.

If you are a returning client who wants to reconnect, please reach out to connect@niadurham.com to share your intentions.

Do you work with emergencies and crisis?

At this time, I do not work with clients who are in emergency or face frequent crises, nor do I work with clients who have a need for high-touch communication in between sessions.

If in North America, please call 988 or 911 if you are currently in crisis. If in Europe, call 112. If in Thailand, call the English-speaking Tourist Police at 115. These are resources that can connect you with the level of care you need.

What are your rates? Do you offer a sliding scale?

I set a sliding scale rate for virtual clients from $90-130. I hold several spaces in my calendar open for those who face intense financial hardship and still want to receive healing services. I believe it is ethical and clear as a service provider to do this and in turn I request your own transparency in what you can afford. You’re invited to use the Green Bottle Model graphic, created by Alexis J. Cunningfolk, as a guide (see below) as a way of determining where you land on the scale.

Typically we will agree to a sliding scale rate for three months before re-evaluating what feels mutually unifying.

I offer what I have, and truly who I am, and I ask that each person who harmonizes with the meaningfulness of my work pays the most they are sustainably able to offer. In this way, we solidify an aligned, consciously-mutual union not only with each other, but with the energy fields of equanimity and esteem.

I also offer telehealth services for NC residents wishing to use insurance or Medicaid. Please reach out for more details.

There are no refunds offered for services rendered.

How frequently would we meet?

I have found that meeting weekly is often most optimal. Consistency plays an intrepid role in our relational shareholding. Do you like data? This study encapsulates how meeting slowly indicates a "slow" pace of improvement ...which also indicates a slow (or even "poor") progression of change during the time spent in therapeutic care.

Depending on therapeutic intentions and fit, I occasionally open up space for clients to meet on a monthly basis.

Regarding duration of care, we will work together for as long as you need the type of support I give. If this strikes you as vague, I can understand! Progress, regulation, movement, and need are all deeply personal and conditional phenomena and as such will be measured within our work.

How would we meet, in-person or virtually?

My practice is held predominantly via Telehealth on a HIPAA-compliant platform. Sessions are 50m long.

I also offer telehealth services for those wishing to use insurance or Medicaid. Please reach out for more details.

What is your cancellation policy?

I ask for 48 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule our meeting.

Do you use AI/SI during session?
I do not live-record our sessions, which is becoming more common in the field. I do not consent to clients recording our sessions either.

Theapeutic guidance/coaching notes are minimally kept and AI/SI does not support me with this

Why did you become a therapist?

After over ten years working across psychic arts, clinical addiction recovery, yoga teaching, and psychedelic tripsitting/coaching, and after engaging with many versions of 'healers', employers, and therapists as a client or employee, I observed and experienced an aggrandized misuse of power.

Innumerous teachers and spaceholders staked claim to being ‘the one who heals’, the one Who Knows, those who hold glory over service, those who sexualize or otherwise extort their pupils, and who pride recognizability over humility–who also worsened presentations/symptoms of those who sought support, and who otherwise left me brokenhearted and further disconnected.

One could argue that these are some of the best instructors to have–while there may be truth to this, as excellent resources such as resilience and autonomy can be cultivated in times of chaos and deceit, such a stance negates the excruciating emotional injury experienced by whomever was betrayed or woefully disillusioned.

With heartfelt disclosure, I also share that I lost half my life to sickness and dissociation and much of my 'ness' now serves as a commitment to stay well. Supporting you wherever you find belonging on the wellness spectrum holds a sincerely valuable place in my heart and calling.

I’m not here to un-do but to support the processes of re-doing, re-sourcing. When we relate, we have the opportunity to repair: to choose trust again, to unclench our past or patterning despite the hardship of such a decision and subsequent action.