Branching Out

Wondering About Therapy?

Deciding to start

  • You don't need a crisis or a diagnosis to start therapy. If something feels off, if you're stuck in the same patterns, or if you're carrying more than you can hold alone, that's enough of a reason. Many of my clients start simply because they want life to feel a little lighter.

  • No. You don't need a label, a referral, or the perfect words for what's going on. If you know you want support, that's enough. We'll figure out the rest together.

  • Absolutely. Most of my clients aren't in crisis; they're just tired of feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or not quite like themselves. Therapy is for anyone who wants more clarity, steadier footing, or a space that's finally about them.

  • It depends on what you're working on, but many of my clients notice a shift within the first month, with steadier improvement after that. We'll check in regularly about how it's going and adjust the plan together. There's no fixed timeline, and we will always work at the pace that you feel most comfortable.

  • We'll talk about what's bringing you in, what you'd like to feel different, and whether working together feels like a good fit. There's no pressure to share everything at once. We go at your pace.

Logistics

  • I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Pennsylvania, New York, and Florida, and I offer virtual therapy to adults in all three states. You can meet with me from anywhere in those states, as long as you're in a private, comfortable spot.

  • Yes. I bill insurance through both Tava and SimplePractice, and I also offer private pay options for privacy and accessibility. We'll sort out the details together before we start, so there are no surprises.

  • My private-pay rate is $150 per session, and I can review options for a sliding scale fee as needed.

    If you're using insurance, your cost depends on your plan I'll verify your benefits and let you know what to expect before your first session.

  • Just reach out through the contact form on the bottom of this page or my Psychology Today profile, and we'll set up a free 15-minute consultation. It's simply a conversation about what's going on and whether working together feels like a good fit, with no pressure.

    You can also send me an email at Michelle @acornandoakservices.com
    or call/text me at (717)256-2701 for more information or to get scheduled.

  • I ask for at least 48-hours notice when possible if you need to reschedule or cancel, so the time can be offered to someone else. The full details are in the practice policies you'll review and sign during intake.

  • Yes. Everything you share is confidential, with a few legal exceptions, such as if there's a risk of serious harm to you or someone else, or abuse of a minor. I'll always explain those limits clearly at the start, so there are no surprises.

What sessions are like with me

  • Collaborative, supportive, and down-to-earth, with honest reflection, practical tools, and moments of humor when they help. I'm not a blank-slate therapist. I show up as a real person, and we'll build our work together.

  • No. You share what you're ready to share, when you're ready. Some things take time, and that's completely okay. Trust builds session by session.

  • That happens all the time, and it's never a problem. I'll help you find a starting point, whether that's something from your week, a feeling that's been sitting with you, or just "I don't know where to begin."

  • Yes, when they're useful, but nothing that feels like school. You'll leave sessions with practical tools and insights you can actually use in real life, tailored to what you're working on.

  • Mostly, it isn't. We meet over secure video, from wherever you're comfortable,. safe, and have privacy, and the work is the same. Many clients actually prefer it! No commute, no waiting room, and you can settle in with your own coffee, your own blanket, your own space.

Fit & Specialties

  • Yes! It's one of my specialties. I'm certified in ADHD care (ADHD-CCSP), and I work with ADHD and autistic adults in a way that fits how your brain actually works, not how the world expects it to work.

  • Yes, fully. My practice is an affirming space for LGBTQIA+ clients, and I hold a certification as an LGBTQ+ Affirming Practices Specialist. You can come exactly as you are.

  • Yes. I work with relationship dynamics of all kinds. Friends, family, romantic partners, including ethical non-monogamy. No judgment, just support for the relationships you actually have.

  • Yes. I work with people processing religious or spiritual trauma, whether that's leaving a faith community, untangling harmful teachings, or figuring out what you believe now. We go at your pace, and your beliefs, or lack of them, are always respected.

  • I work with adults, virtually, in Pennsylvania, New York, and Florida. If you're looking for a therapist for a child or teen, I'm happy to point you toward someone who specializes in that.

  • The short answer is: you'll feel it. You should always feel comfortable and connected to your therapist, and I support that 100 percent. It's YOUR therapy, and the fit matters more than anything else.

    In our first sessions, we'll talk about what you're hoping for from therapy, so I can shape our work around your goals specifically. And if at some point you feel you'd be better served by a different modality or a different provider, I'm more than happy to help with a referral. Finding someone you truly click with can be hard, and I want you to have that, even if it's not with me.

Ready When You Are

If something here resonated, the next step is a free 15-minute consultation. We'll talk about what's going on and whether working together feels like a good fit.

No pressure, no commitment.

Just growth and support.