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Wondering whether couples therapy is for you? Signs it may help, what to expect, and how to start with Dr. Rae Sandler Simon. Couples Are we ready for couples therapy? Couples therapy works best when both partners can show up with a basic foundation of safety, honesty, and individual stability. Not perfection, just a starting point that makes the work possible. Some things are better worked through individually first. If you answer yes to any of the questions below, individual support may be the better place to begin. 1. Is there any physical or emotional abuse in the relationship? 2. Is there concern about how substances are being used or relied upon? 3. Is there ongoing deception, such as an active affair, secret finances, or other hidden behavior, that one or both of you are unwilling to bring into the open? 4. Is there a mental health concern, such as depression, anxiety, or trauma, that is not currently being addressed? 5. If you are joining by telehealth, can you both be in the same room, rather than calling in from two separate places? Couples work asks both partners to be physically together, in my office or on a shared screen. Conjoint therapy, where both of you are in the same session, is the most widely recommended format: it works on the relationship directly, allows real-time dialogue, and lets me see how each of you actually shows up with the other. If any of these resonate, hope is not lost. It means the groundwork comes first. Individual therapy can build the safety, honesty, and stability that make couples work possible. If none apply, couples therapy can be a genuinely transformative space, whether you are rebuilding trust, reconnecting, or simply learning to understand each other more clearly. You don't need to be equally ready to begin. The more each of you can take some responsibility for your own part, the faster you will build the ability to communicate and repair. You may also find How to Get the Most From Couples Therapy by The Couples Institute helpful. Wherever you find yourselves, whether you are ready to begin, working on communication, healing after a betrayal, or starting a family, there is a place to start. Not sure where you fit? Start with a free fifteen-minute consultation .

Individual therapy, couples counseling, and culturally affirming care for Jewish clients, with Dr. Rae Sandler Simon in Denver and Hawai’i. HOW I CAN HELP Therapy Services Therapy that meets you where you are. Individual therapy and couples counseling in Denver, Hawai'i, and online across 40+ states, grounded in compassion, clinical depth, and nearly 20 years in private practice. Therapy is never one-size-fits-all. I integrate advanced training in Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Psychodynamic therapy, and Solution-Focused Couples Therapy to mirror your goals, your personality, and your life path. Individual Therapy Coming home to yourself. Clarity, steadiness, and care shaped around who you are rather than around a protocol. Individual therapy → Couples Therapy The heart of my practice for close to 25 years. Communication, trust, and the connection underneath the day to day. Couples therapy → Culturally Affirming Care For Jewish clients and allies. A room where the context is already understood, and you are welcome exactly as you are. Culturally affirming care → Ready to begin? Schedule a free fifteen-minute video consultation →

Licensed clinical psychologist in Denver, Hawai'i, and online across 40+ states. Couples therapy and individual work, with a free 15 minute consultation. Jewish therapist Come home to yourself. Therapy that's intuitive, soulful & real. Couples therapy and adult wellness with Dr. Rae Sandler Simon, licensed clinical psychologist. BOOK YOUR FREE CONSULTATION 15 minutes by video, no cost SEE FEES DENVER | HAWAI'I | ONLINE IN 40+ STATES HELLO I'm Dr. Rae Sandler Simon True healing takes a therapist with the depth, clinical expertise, and heart to meet you where you are. I specialize in helping couples find their way back to one another, and in guiding individuals through life's defining shifts: relationship challenges, parenting stress, grief, identity, and personal wellness. My approach is intuitive, relational, and real. I blend evidence-based frameworks with holistic awareness, and I tailor the work to your goals, your personality, and your life. Expect active collaboration, warm humor, and a culturally safe space where your whole self is honored. Reaching out takes courage, and most people wait years to do it. I'd be honored to take the next step with you. More about me WHERE TO BEGIN Therapy is about more than problem-solving. It is about coming home to yourself: finding clarity, strengthening relationships, and reconnecting with the parts of you that feel most authentic and grounded. What brings you here? Couples For two people finding their way back to each other. Communication, trust, and what lives underneath the day to day. Many couples feel a real shift within six to ten sessions. COUPLES THERAPY Individuals A welcoming space for identity, grief, trauma, or chronic pain. Warm, direct, evidence-based care that begins with your strengths and moves at your pace. INDIVIDUAL THERAPY Jewish Clients & Allies A safe haven for Jewish clients and allies, and for anyone who has felt othered. You never have to explain or defend who you are. You are welcome. You are home. CULTURALLY AFFIRMING CARE THE PRACTICE Where The Work Happens Two offices, three places I can welcome you home: Colorado, Hawai'i, and telehealth across the U.S. Hawaii Office, Opelo Rd Denver Office, 1756 N High St BEFORE YOU REACH OUT Are we a good fit? The kindest thing I can do here is be honest about who I'm right for, and who I'm not. We're likely a strong match if you're ✓ Looking for a psychologist who specifically specializes in couples work & adult wellness ✓ A Jewish client or ally who wants a culturally-affirming and informed therapist ✓ Private pay, or interested in a scholarship spot I'm probably not the right fit if you're ✕ Looking for a provider who bills insurance directly ✕ Seeking court-ordered evaluations, custody assessments, or forensic work ✕ In need of immediate or 24/7 care. Please call or text 988, or go to your nearest emergency department IN PERSON Denver & Hawai'i License CO #3404 · HI #1972 ONLINE 40+ states PSYPACT Authority to Practice FEES $225 to $325 Individual 50 min · Couples 75 min FEES & QUESTIONS The four things people ask first. Do you take insurance? I'm out-of-network and private pay: $225 for a 50-minute individual session, $325 for 75 minutes with a couple. I provide superbills you can submit to your PPO. Income-based and Native Hawaiian Kanaka scholarship spots are available when I have them. If we are a great fit, I will find a way to support your therapeutic journey. How do we start? With a free 15-minute video consultation. We discuss what you want to attend to, experience the energy between us, answer questions about how I work, and determine fit. If we decide not to work together, I'll provide referrals to trusted colleagues. What happens in the first session? We meet for 50 to 90 minutes (individual to couples): history, what brought you here, and what you want to be different. The first three sessions are used to determine fit, goals, and the strengths you already possess. How long does therapy take? Therapy is not a linear process. Some people come for a handful of sessions to work through something specific. Others work steadily or off and on for months. Many return years later when a new chapter brings new challenges: a move, a baby, a loss. That's not a setback. The relationship we form can be a safety net or comforting, sacred place to return to. ALL FEES & QUESTIONS A minute with me, before you decide. Welcome home. If you're ready for therapy that's intuitive, honest, and effective, let's begin with a free 15-minute consultation. BOOK YOUR FREE CONSULTATION love your life. live well in love. ™

Warm, direct, evidence-based individual therapy with a licensed psychologist. CBT, ACT, psychodynamic, and mindfulness-based work. FOR YOU Individual Wellness Steady, unhurried care for the whole person. My compassionate, strengths-based approach focuses on achievable goals and lasting change. You are not broken, and you are not a problem to be solved. My work is helping you find the way back to what is already yours. Focused Healing Divorce & Life Transitions Honoring what was, and finding your footing in what comes next. Mind, Body & Spirit Care for your whole, complete, unique and beautiful self. Anxiety, Depression & Postpartum Find peace within emotional or mental turmoil. Parenting & Caregiving Support and validation through each wonderful and difficult phase. Chronic Pain & Illness Live fully with invisible pain. Honor your abilities, peace, acceptance. Executive Strategy & Mental Acuity Combine emotional depth with strategic thinking. Growth without burnout. Trauma, Grief & Loss Gentle, unhurried healing, at the pace your heart and body choose. Teens & Young Adults Room to grow into yourself, with someone steady in your corner. Not sure where you fit? Start with a free fifteen-minute consultation .

20+ years specializing in couples. Advanced training in the Developmental Model and RLT. In person in Denver and Hawaii, or online. FOR PARTNERS Couples Therapy Ready to reconnect? When a relationship needs support, you deserve a therapist who specializes in couples work. This expertise is the heart of my practice. I have spent close to 25 years training and deepening my relationship expertise by attending countless respected, relationship trainings. Whether you are long-term partners, engaged, newly married, or decades in, we focus on communication skills, trust, and the connection required for a healthy, happy partnership. Many couples feel a real shift within six sessions. Schedule your free 15-minute consultation → "If you love someone, the greatest gift you can give them is your presence." Thich Nhat Hanh Therapeutic Approach for Relationship Work Therapy is never one-size-fits-all. While I bring advanced training in Relational Life Therapy and Solution-Focused Couples Therapy, I thoughtfully integrate these modalities to mirror your unique goals, personality, and life path. The Developmental Model · The Couples Institute Understanding the stage your relationship is actually in, so we work on what is in front of you rather than what should be. Relational Life Therapy · Terrence Real Honest, direct work on the patterns underneath, including the ones nobody names out loud. Author of many renowned books, including "US: Getting Past You & Me to Build a More Loving Relationship. " The Gottman Method Research-based tools for conflict, repair, and the friendship that holds a marriage together. Divorce Busting · Dr. Michele Weiner-Davis Strategic divorce prevention and healing from infidelity. Esther Perel's workshops Desire, betrayal, and the erotic life of a long relationship. Couples' Consultation with Dr. Susan Heitler Years in a group mentored by the author of The Power of Two - Secrets to a Strong and Loving Marriage. More about my approach → What we build together Are We Ready? An honest look at where you are and best direction forward. Improve Communication Move through conflict with clarity and care to deepen your connection. Healing After an Affair Rebuild trust, strengthen areas of disconnect, and affair-proof your future. The Parenting Journey Navigate all chapters of parenting as true partners - on the same page. Read more: Are we ready for couples therapy? Not sure where you fit? Start with a free fifteen-minute consultation .

Therapy where you don't have to explain the context. Individual and couples work for Jewish clients and allies, in person and online. A SAFE HAVEN Culturally Affirming Therapy for Jewish Clients and Allies Denver · Hawai'i · online across 40+ states I'm a member of the Association of Jewish Psychologists , a therapist and an Executive Board Member for Gesher Community Care. My practice is a welcoming space for all identities and backgrounds, Jewish clients and allies included, never Jewish clients only. The last three years have felt isolating, terrifying, and stacked with betrayal. Many of us have lost friends or colleagues, felt misunderstood or wrongly accused. Our community means more to us now, perhaps, than it ever has before. Within our work together, you don't have to explain your experience nor defend your existence. I'm a licensed clinical psychologist and a Jewish woman. That means you will be welcomed, seen, and understood. I understand our shared intergenerational trauma, interfaith and intercultural partnerships, questions of observance and identity, the weight of inherited expectation, and the specific grief and vigilance we're all navigating. What this looks like in practice Couples across differences in observance or background. One of you keeps kosher and one doesn't. One of you converted. One wants the children raised Jewish and one isn't sure. These aren't logistics. They're questions about belonging, and they deserve a therapist who treats them that way. Family-of-origin work. Loyalty, obligation, and love braided so tightly that you don't know where you begin and where you end. Inherited and intergenerational trauma. What was survived before you, and what you still carry on its behalf. Identity, observance, and the space between. Returning, leaving, questioning, or somewhere that doesn't have a name yet. Vigilance, grief, and safety. The parts of the last several years you may not have said or felt safe to say out loud. How I came to this work Shortly after October 7, a woman came to me for a consultation. We talked warmly and agreed on her goals. Then, she grew tearful and asked whether I would still work with her now that she had told me she is Jewish and a Zionist. Her previous therapist had fired her, and so several others had either refused to work with her or took the opportunity to attack her. A space that should always be sanctuary had been upended. I told her: of course you are welcome here. You are home. I watched the weight lift from her shoulders right there in the room. In the months that followed came a wave of similar referrals, people carrying isolation, rejection, and fear. Alongside their own goals, the work became a place to name a collective grief. Healing them helped heal me, and it became clear I needed to be a visible safe haven for Jewish clients and allies. Gesher Community Care That led me to Gesher Community Care , which connects Jewish individuals to therapists who understand Jewish identity across the spectrum while keeping care affordable. I serve on its Executive Board. The need in our community has never been greater. Association of Jewish Psychologists I am also a member of the Association of Jewish Psychologists , a community of psychologists who understand Jewish identity and history from the inside, and who hold each other up in a moment that has asked a great deal of our field.

Ready to start therapy? Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with Dr. Rae Sandler Simon. Available in Colorado, Hawai’i, and 35+ PSYPACT states. LET'S CONNECT Free Consultation Welcome home. Let's see if we're a fit The consultation is free, 15 minutes, by video, and there's no pressure at the end of it. You'll tell me what's going on, I'll tell you how I'd approach it, and we'll both say honestly whether this feels right. If it doesn't, I'll point you toward someone I'd trust. Before you reach out, two things worth knowing : I'm an out-of-network, private-pay provider: $225 per 50-minute individual session $325 per 75-minute couples session. I provide superbills for reimbursement through your PPO's out-of-network benefits, and I offer income-based and Native Hawaiian Kanaka scholarship spots when they're available. See full fees and FAQs → I typically respond within one business day, Monday through Thursday. If you're in crisis right now, please call or text 988, or go to your nearest emergency department. I'm not able to provide emergency or 24/7 care. A minute with me, before you decide. Appointment Request Form Let's begin... Please answer the questions below to contact me and schedule a complimentary telehealth consultation: First name* Last name* Email* Phone* Whom may I thank for referring you to my practice?* In which state do you live?* Are you seeking individual therapy, couples therapy, or not sure yet? Briefly describe what you're looking to attend to in our work:* Have you reviewed the fees, and does private-pay work for you? Submit

Secure video therapy with a licensed clinical psychologist across 40+ PsyPACT states. See whether yours is included. TELEHEALTH Online Therapy Across More Than 40 States Secure video sessions with a licensed clinical psychologist If you've moved, travel for work, live somewhere rural, manage a chronic illness that makes getting to an office hard, or simply want a psychologist who's the right fit rather than the closest one, we can work together by secure video. I hold the Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) through PSYPACT, which allows me to provide therapy to residents of participating states . I'm also fully licensed in Colorado (#3404) and Hawai'i (#1972). States where I can see you online Alabama Arizona Arkansas Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Idaho Illinois Indiana Kansas Kentucky Maine Maryland Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey North Carolina North Dakota Northern Mariana Islands Ohio Oklahoma Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Enacted, not yet effective Montana (effective date not yet set) Legislation introduced in 2025 Hawai'i Iowa Massachusetts New York Don't see your state? The list grows most years. Reach out and I'll tell you where things stand, or help you find someone excellent where you are. Is online therapy as effective? For most concerns: anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, and couples work, the research shows outcomes comparable to in-person care. What matters far more than the medium is the fit between you and your therapist. That's what the free consultation is for.

Meet Dr. Rae Sandler Simon, clinical psychologist, couples therapy specialist, and founder of Live & Love Well. Nearly 20 years helping couples heal. About Dr. Rae Sandler Simon Licensed Clinical Psychologist | Founder of Live & Love Well™ I'm Dr. Rae Sandler Simon, a licensed clinical psychologist and the founder of Live & Love Well™ , a practice devoted to couples work and adult wellness in Colorado, Hawai'i, and across 40+ PSYPACT states. I'm a Denver native with deep roots in Hawai'i, and both places shape how I work: grounded, unhurried, connected. Clients describe my style as honest, warm, and deeply compassionate. I blend evidence-based tools with intuitive insight, humor, and heart. How I Got Here My career journey began when I earned a BBA and a Spanish minor at Emory University's Goizueta Business School and went to work as a management consultant at a top-five firm. The work was interesting, and something was missing. That pull led me to the nonprofit world, helping refugees and asylees build new lives here. It was demanding, often heartbreaking, and it taught me that healing is never only individual. It happens in relationship, in community, and in the slow, courageous work of rebuilding. I earned my PsyD from the University of Denver Graduate School of Professional Psychology, focused on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and couples communication. My foundation is solution-focused couples work, ACT, and psychodynamic depth. That dual background, business and psychology, still shapes my work with professionals and leaders moving through burnout and transition. What I Know About Pain, Personally I live with chronic pain and autoimmune disease, including two spinal fusions. For a long time I didn't see how much pain had quietly shaped my days, until I slowed down and listened to my body. Through mindfulness, movement, and support, I've learned to live with it rather than survive it. So I don't only understand chronic illness and invisible struggle clinically. I understand them in my body. Why Couples Therapy Is My Passion My commitment to couples therapy is rooted in personal experience. I grew up in a family where love was tested and strengthened through effort and honesty, and I carried that into my own marriage of nearly 20 years. Thriving relationships don't happen by chance. They are built. The question I am asked most is whether being a couples therapist means I have a perfect marriage. I don't. It gives us a shared language and the skills to use it, and that makes the hard parts easier alongside someone I truly love. My husband and I have our good days and our not-so-good days, and we keep choosing each other. That is what I want for the couples I work with. Not perfection, but the willingness and the tools to keep choosing. Learn more about couples therapy at Live & Love Well ™. Identity, Faith, and Belonging As a Jewish woman, spirituality and cultural identity are core parts of who I am. I bring that depth into my practice while keeping the room open to everyone. Many Jewish individuals and families want a therapist who understands their experience without being asked to explain it. Rising antisemitism, the complexity of Jewish identity, the particular grief and resilience of belonging to a historically marginalized community: I hold these with care. Whether you want therapy rooted in shared cultural understanding or simply a place of warmth and acceptance, you are welcome here. These values shape how I practice: protecting your privacy and dignity, offering scholarship-based care, honoring your whole identity in the room. Learn more about my values and approach. Outside the Office I stay grounded through Pilates, hiking, ballet barre, skiing, crafting, reading, and time outdoors with my husband, our two teenagers, and our fur babies. I am a former mogul skier, which explains a few things about how I approach hard terrain. I am an Executive Board Member and affordable-care clinician at Gesher Community Care . I also volunteer as the on-call psychologist for families at Brent's Place in Denver, a home-away-from-home for families navigating treatment for life-threatening illnesses.

Income-based therapy scholarships and reduced-fee sessions, including the Native Hawaiian Kanaka Scholarship. Quality care should be accessible to all. Scholarship Programs My Commitment At Live & Love Well ™ , everyone deserves access to compassionate, high-quality care, whatever their financial circumstances. The Live & Love Well ™ Scholarship Program offers reduced-fee therapy to individuals and couples who need it. How the Scholarship Program Works Scholarships are awarded first come, first served, depending on availability. To apply, new clients complete a brief application, provide income verification, and share their care needs. If no spot is open when you apply, I will connect you with trusted community programs offering reduced-fee psychological services. Scholarships are granted for six months at a time and reviewed twice yearly. If your financial situation changes, please let me know so someone else can use the spot. Statements and Insurance Service statements, or superbills, are securely emailed to you monthly. If you have insurance, explore your out-of-network benefits. Many clients receive partial reimbursement by submitting these statements, which carry all the necessary service and diagnostic codes. Learn more about out-of-network reimbursement → How Financial Need is Determined Eligibility is based on your annual household income, family size, and where you live. Because the cost of living in Hawai'i and the continental United States differs so much, I keep separate income guidelines for each. Required Documentation To apply for a needs-based scholarship, please send verification of household income. A recent pay stub, a tax return, or a letter from a certified accountant all work. Documentation should include all sources of household income, including salary, financial assistance, child support, dividends, unemployment, and financial gifts. Young adults who receive financial support from a parent or guardian submit that person’s income verification. Scholarship rates are re-evaluated every six months, and I reserve the right to modify, deny, or discontinue a scholarship award at my sole discretion. Scholarship Hours Scholarship appointments are typically scheduled between 11am and 2pm Hawai'i time, which is mid to late afternoon in Colorado. Requests outside those clinical hours are considered on a case-by-case basis. A Few Notes on Fees Fees for phone consultation, clinical, and professional consultative services are set by the session rates shown in the tables above. Individual sessions are 50 minutes unless we agree otherwise. Fees for service over and above standard clinical hours are prorated based on a 60-minute session. Ready to Apply? Tell me during your free consultation, or send me a note, and I will email you the short scholarship request form. Nothing about this needs to be awkward. I would rather you ask than quietly decide therapy is out of reach.

$225 individual, $325 couples. Out-of-network superbills provided. Income-based and Native Hawaiian scholarship programs available. Your Questions Answered Top of Questions Click any question to jump to its answer. 01 What are your fees? 02 Do you accept insurance? 03 Do you offer sliding scale or discounted rates? 04 Where do you offer therapy? 05 How is therapy different from talking to a friend? 06 Is AI a substitute for therapy with a trained clinician? 07 How do I know if we’re ready for couples therapy? 08 Do you meet with couples clients individually? 09 How is a psychologist different from other therapists? 10 What is the first therapy session like? 11 What’s your cancellation policy? 12 Can I use a credit card or HSA to pay for therapy? 13 Do you prescribe medication? Fees 01 What are your fees? Individual therapy is $225 per 50-minute session, couples therapy is $325 per 75-minute session, phone consultations and clinical or professional consultations are $225 per 50-minute session, and emergency or after-hours consultations (weekdays after 5:30pm HST, weekends, and holidays) are $450 per 45-minute session. My regular hours are Monday to Thursday, 8:00am to 5:30pm HST. **If a report, letter, or consultation with an outside party is requested, you will be billed for any time needed to prepare documentation or conduct in-person/phone consultations. Dr. Simon’s standard service fee applies for all actions outside of legal proceedings and court involvement. View Dr. Simon's Notice of Good Faith Estimate View Dr. Simon's Notice of Privacy Practices Back to questions ↑ Insurance 02 Do you accept insurance? I don’t bill insurance directly. I’m considered both a private-pay and out-of-network provider, and that’s an intentional choice. This model allows us to protect your privacy, avoid unnecessary diagnoses, and tailor your treatment to your actual needs rather than what an insurance company approves. That said, I’m committed to making care accessible. Many PPO plans offer out-of-network benefits that may reimburse you for a significant portion of your session cost. I provide a superbill, a detailed receipt with all necessary service and diagnostic codes, that you can submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement. I’m happy to walk you through how this works. Learn more about out-of-network reimbursement and my accessible care philosophy. Back to questions ↑ 03 Do you offer sliding scale or discounted rates? Yes. I believe everyone deserves access to high-quality, compassionate mental health care, and my scholarship programs r eflect that commitment. I offer the Live & Love Well ™ Scholarship Program , which provides income-based reduced fees for individuals and couples, and the Native Hawaiian Kanaka Scholarship Progra m , created to honor Kanaka Maoli communities. If you identify as Native Hawaiian, please contact me directly, price will not be a barrier to service. Eligibility is based on household income and my availability, and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn more about the scholarship program. Back to questions ↑ Sliding Scale Where I Offer Therapy 04 Where do you offer therapy? I’m licensed in Colorado (License #3404) and Hawai’i (License #1972), and I see clients in person in both states. I also offer secure telehealth sessions, video or phone, and hold the Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) through PSYPACT, which allows me to work with clients in more than 40 states and territories. View the PSYPACT map. Back to questions ↑ Back to questions ↑ Therapy vs a Friend 05 How is therapy different from talking to a friend or family member? Friends and family are vital, and they’re not a replacement for therapy, they’re a different thing entirely. The people who love you bring their own feelings, histories, and stakes to every conversation. That’s beautiful, and it’s also limiting. In therapy, you get something rare: an objective, nonjudgmental space with someone who is trained to listen deeply, offer new perspectives, and teach you evidence-based tools for lasting change. Therapy is structured and purposeful: not only feeling heard, but building real resilience over time. Taking the first step can feel intimidating. Reaching out is one of the most courageous things you can do. Back to questions ↑ 06 Is AI a substitute for therapy with a trained clinician? In short: no. AI mental health tools are becoming more common, and some are well designed. They are not therapy, and not a substitute for a licensed clinician who can assess your circumstances, protect your confidentiality, and give you personalized care. There are real risks. AI platforms can give inaccurate or incomplete guidance, what you share may not be protected by HIPAA or state confidentiality law, and AI advice can conflict with your treatment in ways that create confusion. If you are ever in crisis, having suicidal thoughts, or feeling unsafe, please do not rely on an AI tool. Contact 988, call 911, or go to your nearest emergency department. Back to questions ↑ 07 How do I know if we’re ready for couples therapy? Couples therapy works best when both partners are emotionally present, open to accountability, and able to stay relatively grounded during conflict. If one or both of you is feeling overwhelmed, highly reactive, or unsure, the process can feel more chaotic than healing. If you’re questioning the timing, ask whether you can each stay present during conflict, whether personal healing work needs attention first, and whether you are both willing to take responsibility rather than stay in blame. If one or both of you isn’t quite ready, working with an individual therapist, either before or alongside couples therapy, can lay the groundwork for deeper, more effective relationship work. Whether that’s with me or another trusted clinician, this step often creates the clarity and emotional stability needed to move forward together. Learn more about couples therapy at Live & Love Well ™ . Back to questions ↑ 08 Do you meet with couples clients individually? Yes, when it's clinically appropriate. Individual sessions within the context of couples therapy can be a valuable part of the process. They offer space to explore a personal pattern more deeply, to clarify what you're feeling before bringing it to your partner, or to work through something you're not yet ready to discuss together. They also give me a fuller understanding of each partner, which strengthens the work we do as a couple. Individual sessions aren't right for every situation, and we'll discuss openly whether they'd benefit your process. Read more HERE about my clinical approach to individual wellness. Back to questions ↑ 09 How is a psychologist different from other therapists? The distinctions genuinely matter. A licensed psychologist (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) holds a doctoral degree in psychology and completes at least one year of post-doctoral supervised experience. Psychologists may use titles like doctor, psychologist, therapist, or counselor. Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs), and Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) hold master’s degrees in their respective fields and complete two years of post-graduate supervision. Licensed Social Workers (LSWs) hold a master’s in social work. Therapist candidates have completed their degrees and are working toward full licensure under supervision. Psychiatrists are medical doctors (M.D. or D.O.) who can prescribe medication and may also offer therapy depending on their training. Each of these professionals plays a valuable role. As a licensed psychologist, I bring advanced training in assessment, diagnosis, and integrative therapy methods that support your whole-person wellness. Back to questions ↑ Therapy and AI Couples Seen Individually Psychologist vs Other Therapists Ready for Couples Therapy First Therapy Session 10 What is the first therapy session like? We’ll review your paperwork, discuss your history and current concerns, set realistic short- and long-term goals, and begin to get a sense of whether we’re a good fit for each other. The first three sessions are a trial phase, designed to determine whether our work together will be short- or long-term. If either of us feels that another provider might better meet your needs, I’ll offer a thoughtful referral. The goal is always the right match, not just any match. Back to questions ↑ 11 What’s your cancellation policy? I ask for at least 72 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. Without that notice, or in the case of a missed session, the full session fee applies. But, I do understand that life happens. If your cancellation is due to a genuine emergency, we’ll talk through it together and figure out next steps. Back to questions ↑ Cancellation Policy Credit Card Payment 12 Can I use a credit card or HSA to pay for therapy? Yes. I accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover credit cards, as well as cash, personal checks, and Flexible Spending (FSA) or Health Savings Accounts (HSA). All payments are processed through a HIPAA-compliant portal called Therapy Partner . Payment is due at the time of service. Back to questions ↑ 13 Do you prescribe medication? No. As a licensed clinical psychologist, I provide talk therapy but do not prescribe medications. That said, I frequently collaborate with psychiatrists and medical providers when medication may be helpful. Research consistently shows that the most effective outcomes often come from a thoughtful combination of therapy and medication, when appropriate. Back to questions ↑ Medication

Schedule a session or sign in to the secure client portal for Dr. Rae Sandler Simon's practice in Colorado and Hawai'i. Client Portal This portal is for ongoing clients only. Welcome back. I look forward to seeing you. Schedule a session below, and you'll choose your location, Colorado or Hawai'i, on the next screen. Already have a login? Sign in to the client portal . New here? If we have not worked together yet, the portal is not the place to start. Send me a note through the contact form and I will set up a free fifteen-minute video consultation. SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT