Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy, Coaching & Nervous System Support
Questions are part of the process
Whether you’re trying to figure out which service fits, what to expect, or simply looking for the practical details, you’re in the right place.
Below you’ll find answers to common questions about working with Linell and John, including therapy, coaching, EMDR, couples work, meditation, TRE®, Reset Integration, and organizational training.
Individual Therapy
Do you accept Insurance?
Berkley Wellness is a self-pay practice and does not bill insurance or provide superbills. Itemized payment receipts are available for your records.
If you plan to seek possible reimbursement from your insurance provider, I recommend contacting them directly to confirm their out-of-network reimbursement requirements.
HSA and FSA funds may be used for eligible services.
How often will me meet?
The frequency of our sessions will depend on your needs, goals, and where you are in the therapeutic process. We may meet weekly, biweekly, or monthly.
Many clients begin with weekly or biweekly sessions to build momentum and consistency in the work, with frequency adjusted over time as treatment progresses.
Do you offer virtual therapy?
Yes. I see clients in person at Berkley Wellness in Appleton and through telehealth throughout Wisconsin.
Out-of-State Care Coming Soon: Wisconsin has officially joined the Social Work Licensure Compact. While the national system is still being built, we anticipate being able to legally treat clients outside of Wisconsin once multistate licenses launch in mid-to-late 2027.
What if I’m interested in EMDR?
EMDR therapy may be incorporated into individual therapy when clinically appropriate. I also offer a separate EMDR Intensive Therapy Program for people who may benefit from extended, focused therapeutic time.
Explore EMDR Intensive Therapy
How do I know if you’re the right therapist for me?
I always encourage potential clients to take time finding the right therapist. Therapists have different personalities, styles, and approaches, and what feels like a great fit for one person may not feel right for another.
That is one of the reasons I offer a complimentary 15-minute consultation. It gives us an opportunity to talk, ask questions, discuss what you are looking for, and determine together whether working together feels like the right fit.
Book a Complimentary 15-minute consultation
What is individual therapy helpful for?
Individual therapy may be especially helpful for:
Anxiety, overthinking, and chronic worry
Depression, stress, overwhelm, and burnout
Trauma and post-traumatic stress
Relationship, family of origin, and attachment concerns
Insomnia and disrupted sleep
Grief, loss, and significant life transitions
Perfectionism and self-criticism
Recurring emotional or relational patterns
Gaining deeper interpersonal awareness and insight
EMDR Intensive Therapy
Is EMDR evidence-based?
Yes. EMDR is an evidence-based psychotherapy treatment with its strongest research support for post-traumatic stress disorder and trauma-related symptoms. It is included in clinical guidance published by the American Psychological Association, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, and other national and international organizations.
Explore EMDR Treatment Guidelines
What is EMDR helpful for?
EMDR may be especially helpful for:
Trauma or distressing memories
Anxiety, panic, or specific fears
Grief or complicated loss
Relationship or attachment injuries
Shame or deeply held negative beliefs about yourself
Persistent emotional or physical triggers
Sleep disruption related to trauma or anxiety
Reactions that continue despite insight or previous therapy
Do I need a PTSD diagnosis?
No. A PTSD diagnosis is not required for EMDR to be considered.
EMDR may be used when past or recent experiences continue to influence present-day emotions, beliefs, physical responses, behaviors, or relationship patterns. Although its strongest evidence is for PTSD, specialized EMDR protocols are also used clinically for concerns such as anxiety, panic, phobias, grief, medical experiences, relationship injuries, and performance-related distress.
How is an Intensive different from weekly therapy?
Weekly therapy distributes treatment across regularly scheduled appointments. An EMDR Intensive is a concentrated program consisting of three primary appointments including an extended initial evaluation, 3 hour EMDR session, and a 1 hour follow up integration.
While both are effective in addressing treatment goals, an EMDR Intensive is designed for accelerated progress in a shorter period of time.
Will one intensive resolve everything?
As with any therapy, we cannot predict exactly what your journey will be like.
Some clients experience significant shifts, immediate relief, clarity, or change after one Intensive. Others benefit from additional processing, integration, or ongoing EMDR or other therapy. Regardless, each outcome is purposeful and timed according to your brain and body’s need for processing and healing. Together we will determine your next steps based on how you respond and what you need.
Learn What to Expect From EMDR Therapy
Will I have to tell you everything that happened?
No. EMDR generally does not require repeated or highly detailed verbal retelling.
You will share enough information for careful assessment and treatment planning, but you will not be expected to describe every detail.
Read the VA’s Explanation of EMDR
Is EMDR hypnosis?
No. EMDR and hypnosis are different therapeutic approaches.
You remain awake, oriented, aware, and in control throughout EMDR. You may speak, pause, ask questions, or stop an intervention at any time.
Learn What Happens During EMDR
Can I continue seeing my current therapist?
You may remain connected to your providers. During the active phases of the EMDR Intensive Program, I generally recommend pausing other psychotherapy to reduce overlapping treatment approaches and support focused processing and integration.
Exceptions may be coordinated in advance when clinically appropriate.
What should I expect afterwards?
Every person responds differently. You may feel calm, relieved, tired, or energized. You may also notice new insights, memories, vivid dreams, emotions, or physical sensations as processing continues. Many clients often notice positive changes such as feeling less triggered, or responding differently to situations without having to consciously think about it.
Whenever possible, plan for a quieter evening with fewer demands. Make sleep a priority for several days following your intensive as you will still be processing. You will be provided with personalized materials that will include grounding strategies and guidance for the integration period.
Learn About Processing Between Sessions
What will our sessions include?
Depending on your treatment plan, the session may include:
Review and refinement of treatment targets
EMDR assessment and processing
Guided bilateral stimulation
Processing of emotional, cognitive, and physical responses
Containment exercises
Cognitive, attachment-focused, or parts-informed interventions when appropriate
Guided visualizations and imageries
Integration of EMDR protocols selected according to specific target needs
Grounding and nervous-system regulation
Strengthening more adaptive beliefs and responses
Intentional breaks and pacing
Stabilization, integration, and planning for continued progress
Why choose an EMDR Intensive?
Traditional therapy can be highly effective, however progress occurs at a slower pace compared to an EMDR Intensive.
Clients often choose an EMDR Intensive when they want accelerated progress that is also time efficient.
An EMDR Intensive will:
Work with important experiences or patterns in greater depth
Explore connections among memories, emotions, beliefs, and present-day reactions
Maintain therapeutic momentum without stopping at the end of a traditional session
Integrate EMDR with other clinical approaches when appropriate
Develop a clear plan for continued integration and next steps
Couples Therapy
Do you accept insurance?
Berkley Wellness is a self-pay practice and does not bill insurance. Itemized payment receipts are available for your records. If you plan to pursue possible reimbursement, I recommend checking directly with your insurance provider about its requirements.
Does our relationship have to be in crisis before we come to therapy?
Not at all. Couples often attend therapy because help with communication, intimacy, resolving conflict, life transitions, or needing to heal past pain points. And some have a strong relationship that matters enough to them to keep it healthy and conscious by having dedicated time for reflection.
What does the initial evaluation entail?
Your first session is a comprehensive 90 minute evaluation of your relationship, current concerns, and what you hope to change or strengthen through therapy.
We will explore:
Communication and conflict patterns, including how needs are expressed and how each partner responds during difficult moments
Attachment patterns, including experiences of closeness, distance, safety, and emotional responsiveness
Recurring relationship cycles that contribute to conflict, withdrawal, resentment, or disconnection
Relationship history and significant experiences that continue to influence the present
Trust, intimacy, friendship, and emotional connection
Relationship strengths and resources that can support change
Treatment priorities and goals for your work together
From there, we will begin developing a personalized treatment plan based on the needs and strengths of your relationship.
Do you offer virtual therapy?
Yes. I see clients in person at Berkley Wellness in Appleton and through telehealth throughout Wisconsin.
Out-of-State Care Coming Soon: Wisconsin has officially joined the Social Work Licensure Compact. While the national system is still being built, we anticipate being able to legally treat clients outside of Wisconsin once multistate licenses launch in mid-to-late 2027.
What is the Gottman Relationship Checkup?
The Gottman Relationship Checkup is optional however highly recommended. This is a research-based assessment developed by The Gottman Institute where partner independently answers the questions and I clinically review and analyze the results. It can provide additional insight into communication, conflict, friendship, intimacy, trust, shared values and goals, parenting, finances, and individual concerns affecting the relationship.
Do we need to complete the Gottman Relationship Checkup?
No. The Checkup is optional, however highly recommended. If you choose to complete it, the $150 fee includes the assessment for both partners, my clinical review and analysis, and integration of relevant findings into our work together. While these topics will be addressed within therapy, having this information gives us jumpstart that ultimately can save you time and speed up progress.
How can couples therapy help?
Couples therapy may be especially helpful for:
Identifying and changing recurring conflict and relationship cycles
Communicating needs more clearly and respond with greater understanding
Rebuilding trust and repair unresolved emotional injuries or betrayals
Strengthening emotional connection, friendship, and intimacy
Navigating persistent concerns involving parenting, finances, roles, or other sensitive topics
Deepening an already strong relationship or navigating important life transitions
EME Coaching
Is EME Coaching therapy?
No. EME Coaching is a separate, nonclinical, psychoeducational personal-development service. It is not psychotherapy, counseling, mental health treatment, clinical assessment, diagnosis, EMDR, medical care, or crisis intervention.
Learn More: Coaching vs. Therapy
Can I work with you for therapy and EME Coaching?
My professional role in coaching will remain separate from my role as a therapist. Once we establish an EME Coaching relationship, we will not later transition into my other services as a licensed therapist. If a mental health assessment is needed, I can assist you in finding potential referrals.
Learn More: Coaching vs. Therapy
Who is EME Coaching for?
EME is designed for individuals interested in self-development through the connection between emotion, mind, and energy.
This psychoeducational style of life coaching can be especially helpful when you feel stuck in creating the changes you want, even when you already have insight into what may be getting in the way.
EME Coaching may explore limiting beliefs, old rules, emotional blocks, intuition, purpose, and the deeper patterns influencing how you want to move forward.
What happens if a mental health concern comes up?
Because EME Coaching is not mental health treatment, coaching may be paused if clinical concerns arise. If potential mental health needs may be present, I will recommend that you connect with an independent licensed mental health provider for a mental assessment.
Learn More: Coaching vs. Therapy
How do I know if EME Coaching is right for me?
EME Coaching may be a fit when you are:
Repeating patterns you already understand
Overthinking, self-sabotaging, or holding yourself back
People-pleasing or carrying too much for others
Questioning what you truly want next
Moving through a new chapter or identity shift
Struggling to trust your intuition or decisions
Feeling disconnected from your purpose or authentic self-expression
Exploring spirituality, energy, abundance, or manifestation
Ready to stop treating your comfort zone like a permanent address
Therapists, leaders, caregivers, and healers may find this work especially meaningful. You are accustomed to being insightful and available to everyone else. EME Coaching gives you space to become curious about yourself and your purpose work.
Can we meet virtually?
Yes! EME Coaching is available virtually to individuals worldwide, as long as coaching services are permitted where you reside.
Does insurance cover EME Coaching?
EME Coaching is a self-pay, nonclinical service, and Berkley Wellness does not bill insurance for coaching.
Some employer wellness benefits, insurance plans, or spending accounts may offer reimbursement for coaching services depending on the terms of your plan. I recommend checking directly with your plan administrator to determine whether your benefits apply.
Neural Drift Meditation™
Do I need meditation experience?
No. NDM works for total beginners and for people who've tried meditation before and felt like it wasn’t for them.
Why does this work when other meditation hasn’t for me?
Most methods ask you to hold your attention somewhere and keep it there. NDM works with your mind's own tendency to settle down once you stop trying to control it. That settling is a natural process, not something you have to force — which is what makes it easier to stick with than methods built on concentration.
Where does Neural Drift Meditation come from?
NDM is rooted in the same foundations that Transcendental and Vedic Meditation came from. It is a modern secular take on these ancient traditions with a focus on nervous system regulation. There are no rituals or ceremonies, no sitting in uncomfortable positions, and no changes in spiritual beliefs. Just a practical way to relieve stress and build resilience before it’s needed.
Do I have to clear my mind?
No — that's kind of the whole point. NDM doesn't ask you to stop your thoughts or force silence.
What if thoughts come up during practice?
They will, and that's fine. NDM doesn't treat thoughts as evidence you're doing it wrong.
Thoughts are part of the process.
Do I need a special setup or a lot of time to practice?
No to both. NDM is built to work in an actual life, not a dedicated meditation room, and it doesn't take hours out of your day either. The ideal rhythm is about 10 to 15 minutes, twice a day — once in the morning, once later on. Once a day is still valuable if that's what a given day allows. This isn't a lifestyle overhaul, it's something built to fit around an actual schedule.
What actually happens during a session?
As your mind settles, your body tends to follow — sometimes dropping into a state of rest deeper than sleep. That's often when stress and fatigue that have been sitting in your system start to release. You don't have to make that happen. It's just what tends to happen when the mind stops working so hard, letting the mind and body come back into balance as the nervous system resets.
How is this different from using a meditation app?
Apps have their place, but this is 1-on-1. You get real instruction, calibration, and someone to ask when something isn't clicking.
Will this change anything outside of meditation?
Most people notice it before they expect to — steadier reactions, more patience, less of a short fuse by the end of a hard day. The practice itself is brief, but it's built to carry over into the rest of your day.
What’s included?
4 live 1-on-1 sessions, short instructional videos, the core NDM audio meditations, an FAQ library, and email support along the way.
Graduates also get a free quarterly refresher, group meditation, and Q&A, so you're not on your own once the formal training wraps up.
Health & Wellness Coaching
What does Health & Wellness Coaching focus on?
Your coaching is built around your individual goals and may include sleep, movement, food, stress recovery, sustainable health habits, and other health-related behavior changes. It’s tailored to you and the changes you want to make.
Can you work with people managing prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes?
Health & Wellness Coaching may be appropriate for people managing prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes who want structured support around sustainable health behaviors. I also manage Type 2 diabetes myself, which gives me personal experience with the difference between knowing what you're supposed to do and actually living with it every day. Coaching does not replace medical care.
What is TRE?
TRE stands for Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises. It was developed by Dr. David Berceli and uses a series of simple exercises to activate the body's natural tremor response — a built-in mechanism for releasing stored stress and tension.
Do I have to talk about difficult experiences during TRE?
No. TRE does not require you to verbally revisit or retell what happened. The practice works directly with the body rather than through talk-based processing.
Is TRE therapy?
No. TRE is not psychotherapy and is not a substitute for medical or psychological care. If you have a complex trauma history or relevant medical condition, we'll talk through whether the practice is appropriate before beginning.
Do you accept insurance?
Berkley Wellness does not accept insurance for Health & Wellness Coaching or TRE.
What does TRE help with?
Many people who practice TRE report:
reduced worry and anxiety
better sleep
increased energy and resilience
relief from chronic tension
improved relationships and reduced conflict
TRE is not a substitute for medical or psychological care. If you have a complex trauma history or a relevant medical condition, we'll talk through whether TRE is appropriate before starting.
Reset Integration
Is Reset Integration usually the first place to start?
Usually, no. Most clients begin with Neural Drift Meditation™ before moving into Reset Integration because it creates a foundation in non-directive practice and regulation. Direct entry may make sense if you already have experience with non-directive meditation, TRE®, or another relevant regulation practice. We’ll talk through your experience during the consultation and decide together whether Reset Integration is the right next step.
How is this different from doing NDM and TRE separately?
You can absolutely learn each practice separately. Reset Integration brings NDM, TRE, and transformational coaching into one process so what happens in one part of the work can inform the others. The value is in the integration, not simply access to three separate techniques.
How do NDM and TRE work together?
They work through different pathways in the nervous system, which is part of why combining them works so well. TRE works primarily from the body upward, using the body's natural tremor response to release stored stress and tension.
Neural Drift Meditation works from the mind downward, letting thoughts and internal activity settle naturally without concentration or effort. Together, they create a kind of dialogue between body and awareness — nothing forced, just room for the nervous system to reorganize on its own.
Is Reset Integration therapy?
No. Reset Integration is not psychotherapy and is not a substitute for medical or psychological care. If you have a complex trauma history or a relevant medical condition, we’ll talk through whether this is an appropriate fit before beginning.
Why is Reset Integration offered privately instead of in a group?
The work is individualized. What your body responds to, what comes up during practice, and what needs attention can look very different from someone else’s experience. Private sessions allow the process to be paced around you and keep the three parts of the work connected.
What happens after the 10 sessions end?
The goal is for you to leave with both Neural Drift Meditation™ and TRE® as practices you understand and can continue using on your own, along with the insight and integration developed through coaching. Some people choose occasional follow-up sessions; others are ready to continue independently.
On-Site Resilience Training
Who is On-Site Resilience training for?
This training is designed for first responders, public safety teams, and other organizations whose people regularly work under sustained pressure, high-stakes conditions, conflict, tragedy, or critical incidents. The common thread is not the industry. It is the level of exposure and the need for practical ways to recover from it.
What can the training include?
raining may include TRE® organizational training, Neural Drift Meditation™ training, Resilience After Critical Incidents education, or a combination of approaches depending on your organization’s goals. Formats can include introductory workshops, half-day or full-day trainings, and multi-session programs.
Is the training customized to our organization?
Yes. The training is built around your organization’s goals, location, group size, schedule, and readiness. There is not a one-size-fits-all program that gets dropped into every organization.
What will participants learn?
That depends on the training you choose, but the focus is always practical. Participants may learn tools for stress recovery, nervous system regulation, reducing tension, and building greater resilience under sustained pressure. The goal is to give people something they can continue using after the training — not simply more information about stress.
What is TRE?
TRE stands for Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises. Developed by Dr. David Berceli, TRE uses a series of simple exercises to activate the body’s natural tremor response. Organizational sessions are led by a Certified TRE Provider and teach participants a self-regulated, body-based practice they can continue using beyond the training.
What is Neural Drift Meditation?
Neural Drift Meditation is a non-directive meditation practice. There is no concentration, breath control, or pressure to force the mind quiet. Participants learn a simple approach they can continue practicing independently after the training.
What is Resilience After Critical Incidents training?
This training focuses on practical education around stress exposure, recovery capacity, and the conditions that support resilience and post-traumatic growth over time. It helps teams better understand how repeated exposure to difficult or critical incidents can affect individuals and the organization as a whole, while keeping the focus on stabilization and practical recovery strategies — not awareness alone.
How do we get started?
Start with a conversation. We’ll talk through your organization, the people you’re supporting, what they’re exposed to, what you want the training to accomplish, and the format that may make the most sense.