Andrea Zalzal Sanderson, LPC Counseling

There’s some truth in these words.

Hello- We have a wonderful new Resident in Counseling in our practice. She is a post graduate student working toward licensure in counseling. She is available for in person and tele-health visits, and has a background in trauma informed therapy, narrative therapy, and CBT. She works issues such as depression, anxiety, adjustment issues, bereavement, ADHD, traumatic experiences, divorce, and general life stressors. She sees young adults, couples and individual adults. She also sees clients at reduced fees, and is supervised directly by me. Please reach out if you or someone you know is in need of a great counselor in training. Call 571-289-9181 (Andrea) or email: [email protected]

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A treasured friend and gifted colleague, who will be missed greatly by her family, friends and all of the lives that are better for having known her.

Tribute to Dr. Katherine "Kacie" Fisher Overby, organized by Dawn Russ Gingras Hi my name is Dawn Russ and I have had the honor of calling Dr. Kath… Dawn Russ Gingras needs your support for Tribute to Dr. Katherine "Kacie" Fisher Overby

Please be aware that I am currently not accepting new patients. However, I am maintaining a waiting list. If you would like to be placed on that list, please email me at: [email protected]. I will respond, and we can set up a mutually convenient time to speak, to determine whether we would be a good fit. Best, Andrea Sanderson

Office space/time for rent!

Here is some INSURANCE/MENTAL HEALTH coaching for the many people who are in need of mental health therapy for the extraordinary stress Covid-19 is putting on us. For many, this time is exacerbating previously diagnosed anxiety, trauma, loss, and depression. Some people are feeling that they are losing the ground they had gained in their coping skills, and are feeling despondent, fearful, disconnected, and unmotivated. The many anchors in their lives, most importantly loved ones, friends, jobs, and routines that give our lives structure and purpose are strained and fragmented right now. We are all trying to figure this out, and it is not easy.

I have had so many calls from folks looking for therapy, and needing to use their insurance. Though I do not accept insurance, I am hearing that people are facing two and three month wait times to see a therapist that may not even be the right fit for them. Their needs cannot wait.

I have been spending time on the phone coaching those folks on how to speak to their insurance companies, and what to ask for. If you feel you or a loved one is in need of mental health services call your insurance company and ask for a single case exemption. Tell them you have emergent mental health needs, and ask them to approve you to see an out-of-network provider because they cannot offer you an in-network provider for the foreseeable future. You have the right to health access. You may be surprised that they will consider covering a portion of the session fees. Sometimes, the insurance company will ask you what they would be covering, meaning they want the codes that are given on a statement from your doctor's office. They will often tell you that they cannot give you an idea what they would cover without the proper codes. So, you can give them the following example. They will want a CPT or procedure code, (give: 90834 or 90837.) They will also ask for a diagnosis code, well of course, you cannot give them that without being diagnosed by a professional. The most benign code you could give them, that would be only an example would be: F43.20 (Adjustment Disorder Unspecified). This simply means that you are adjusting to some type of acute or chronic (6 months duration or less) life stressor that is impacting your functioning, and the symptoms present cannot be accounted for by any other disorder.

Right now, I am offering a teen and adult group to help folks have more affordable access. I am also offering 15% off for the month of May to appropriate clients.

andreasandersoncounseling.com

In the time of Covid-19, we are living in a constant state of elevated arousal and hypervigilance. Suddenly we must think about everything we touch, wear masks, wash hands constantly, and limit our public exposure. Now, our friends, neighbors, family and the heroes at the check-out line at our local market are seen as potential disease carriers, people we need to protect and those we need to have protection from. We need to change our entire way of living. We need to put off routine medical care, dental visits, and other appointments because they are just too risky. We second guess a trip to a store or filling our cars with gas.

We are simply not used to being in this state. Humans are naturally wired for connection. Our brains crave connection, even if we are natural introverts. If you think about it, people who are incarcerated suffer the most when they are put in solitary confinement. It is well documented that those in this situation would choose to be in the general population, and would rather take their chances among other criminals.

All of this hypervigilance leads to a feeling of being unsettled, especially when we do not know the course of Covid-19, and how long lock downs, and social distancing will be needed. For many, this leads to increases in anxiety. Some of this anxiety is manifested in our thinking, intrusive negative, worse case scenario, black and white or over generalized thinking. Thoughts we would rather not be having. For others, anxiety is manifested in physiological symptoms, stomach aches, headaches, disturbances in sleep and eating, and a general feeling of being on edge.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be very helpful in managing the anxiety and stress that many are experiencing during this time. It also lends itself to developing an arsenal of practical, problem solving, coping skills. CBT also results in shorter courses of treatment.

Please have a look at my website: https://andreasandersoncounseling.com
or feel free to contact me at: 571-289-9181.

I am happy to help you feel better. Best, Andrea

Andrea Zalzal Sanderson, M.S., LPC | Therapy in Alexandria, VA Heal the past, be fully present in the moment, and thrive in the future. Andrea Sanderson offers therapy for adults, children, and teens in Alexandria, VA.