FAQs
What is it like to work with Beth Anne?
In the evolution of my work, my lens is holistic, whole-body, and whole-system-oriented. It does not look like conventional PT. If you're looking to get in and get out quick, I will not be the practitioner that best fits your needs. My current training, experience and practice lends from these bodies of work:
I know these credentials may mean something to some folks who are looking for something specific, and to others it may not mean much at all. Point is, I've done, and continue to do my homework on what it means to be a partner in a true healing process.
I strive to create an experience for your healing that is calm and collaborative. I like to say that "I don't work with bodies...I work with people." Your physical body and messages are rightly the basis for our work together. However, the life lived in that body matters deeper and factors into how you experience life, pain, safety, and peace in your body. There is no one-size-fits all. There are research studies, principles, and holistic concepts that guide our work together, and ultimately, I do my best to listen to you and your body in facilitating the removing of obstacles to your healing process.
I know that many appreciate this way of working, but not every person will, which is great! You can schedule a free 20-30 minute phone or video chat to help us discover if we are a good fit if you are unclear on the next step for you. If not, I have many great colleagues in the Denver area and would be happy to provide you with a few options that may better fit your way of working or situation.
- Conventional Pelvic Health training
- Gentle Osteopathic Manual Therapy (Barral Institute, Ramona Horton, D'Ambrogio Institute, and others)
- Somatic Experiencing (R)
- Tami Kent, PT; Lynn Schulte, PT; Rosita Arvigo DN
- Integrative Women's Health Institute Health Coaching
I know these credentials may mean something to some folks who are looking for something specific, and to others it may not mean much at all. Point is, I've done, and continue to do my homework on what it means to be a partner in a true healing process.
I strive to create an experience for your healing that is calm and collaborative. I like to say that "I don't work with bodies...I work with people." Your physical body and messages are rightly the basis for our work together. However, the life lived in that body matters deeper and factors into how you experience life, pain, safety, and peace in your body. There is no one-size-fits all. There are research studies, principles, and holistic concepts that guide our work together, and ultimately, I do my best to listen to you and your body in facilitating the removing of obstacles to your healing process.
I know that many appreciate this way of working, but not every person will, which is great! You can schedule a free 20-30 minute phone or video chat to help us discover if we are a good fit if you are unclear on the next step for you. If not, I have many great colleagues in the Denver area and would be happy to provide you with a few options that may better fit your way of working or situation.
What are Beth Anne's Session Lengths & Fees
> Initial Consultation (2 hours/ $250):
Initial consultations serve two major purposes: to help both of us hear your abdominal health story and to help us discern your next steps. These sessions are crucial for helping us to craft a individualized path forward for your healing. It is often important to start nutritional or nervous system strategy work, or receive additional assessments so that we can support the body in receiving the most from the bodywork and honor the body's pacing. A full treatment session and Self Care Plan are also provided in this session.
*Please note: the Initial Consultation is where everyone starts in my practice. Many people want to jump right into bodywork and I understand that need/desire, but it is not how I work. My experience is that it is often pre-mature without a proper foundation of education, consent, self-resourcing, and boundaries. This is to best serve those who I best serve: those who experience themselves as highly sensitive in body, mind, and soul. I don't fix people, I don't do 'one-hit-wonder' sessions, I guide YOU in healing Yourself using a variety of tools, of which bodywork is one. I am more interested in your long-term healing than quick fixes.
**I do not perform internal pelvic PT assessments during the first session. This is an individual professional decision based on my experiences of true readiness for this examination in a connected and embodied way on the part of the patient. I am happy to further discuss in a Discernment Chat, however I rarely make exceptions to this boundary. If you feel that this needs to happen for you the first time we meet, we can discuss ahead of time, or we may need to find you a different provider more suited to your needs.
> Follow-Up Sessions (80 min/ $165):
Follow-up sessions are usually done in-person, although can also be remote as needed (for Colorado residents only - 1 hour if remote/ online). Each session contains a combination of meaningful dialogue, coaching/ education, assessment and treatment including whatever we decide together will best serve you. This may include external abdominal muscle & fascial manual therapies such as holistic abdominal therapy, osteopathic bodywork, muscle and fascial release techniques, holistic body-based meditations, somatic experiencing nervous system regulation practices, movement analysis and practice, and of course, teaching to empower you to follow through on taking care of yourself in the rest of your life. This may also include internal pelvic work, but never in the first session, and only with your full consent after providing education on the appropriateness of this examination/ treatment for your situation.
Self-Care Plan (Individualized)
After your Initial Consultation session, I will create and send you a Self-Care plan to serve two purposes: to help us understand your body's 'edges' of comfort and discomfort, and to help you follow through on elements that were facilitated in the office. I expect my clients to take care of themselves and perform their self-care plan, which I ask people to commit to setting aside 15 minutes daily, most days of the week. It often includes body/ somatic, mind, and-or soul tools for practice and is the essential piece for helping your body-being to shift in more permanent, long-lasting ways. This plan will continue to be individualized and modified throughout our work together.
Number of sessions
It is important to note that I typically do not see clients weekly as I utilize a different model of care that I observe to work more effectively for holistic abdominal-pelvic healing. This is for two reasons: the pace of healing in the body is slower to integrate than the initial bodywork that supports shifting in the biofield/ energy system; and the longer time between sessions allows clients to be more empowered in the integration of Self Care Practices that will be recommended.
A more spread out appointment schedule allows for the integration of new practices into life and to take the time needed to do so, while also maximizing a client's investment in their health. In addition, I often work in combination with other providers offering my unique lens to support and integrate you healing. I do not function as a front-line pelvic PT clinic, but more as a holistic consultation provider for those that wish to have this lens.
I am unable to suggest exactly how many sessions an individual may require for holistic abdominal healing without an individualized evaluation process, which requires at least the Initial Consultation and at least one follow-up appointment.
**I recommend that people commit to a time and cost investment in themselves start by scheduling 1 session/month for 3 months, depending on individual situations. We continuously evaluate together if and how this work is serving you. I do my best to choose wisely in collaboration with those who are ready and will benefit most from this work as I currently offer it. I may also recommend that you work with a more conventional PT practice with greater frequency depending on your situation. My way of working is effective, but not for everyone and sometimes is not the right timing for everyone. It is a commitment to your own healing path. I am open to working with folks longer than this, but usually ask that clients take off a month from treatment every 3-4 months of work for their own rest and integration.
Initial consultations serve two major purposes: to help both of us hear your abdominal health story and to help us discern your next steps. These sessions are crucial for helping us to craft a individualized path forward for your healing. It is often important to start nutritional or nervous system strategy work, or receive additional assessments so that we can support the body in receiving the most from the bodywork and honor the body's pacing. A full treatment session and Self Care Plan are also provided in this session.
*Please note: the Initial Consultation is where everyone starts in my practice. Many people want to jump right into bodywork and I understand that need/desire, but it is not how I work. My experience is that it is often pre-mature without a proper foundation of education, consent, self-resourcing, and boundaries. This is to best serve those who I best serve: those who experience themselves as highly sensitive in body, mind, and soul. I don't fix people, I don't do 'one-hit-wonder' sessions, I guide YOU in healing Yourself using a variety of tools, of which bodywork is one. I am more interested in your long-term healing than quick fixes.
**I do not perform internal pelvic PT assessments during the first session. This is an individual professional decision based on my experiences of true readiness for this examination in a connected and embodied way on the part of the patient. I am happy to further discuss in a Discernment Chat, however I rarely make exceptions to this boundary. If you feel that this needs to happen for you the first time we meet, we can discuss ahead of time, or we may need to find you a different provider more suited to your needs.
> Follow-Up Sessions (80 min/ $165):
Follow-up sessions are usually done in-person, although can also be remote as needed (for Colorado residents only - 1 hour if remote/ online). Each session contains a combination of meaningful dialogue, coaching/ education, assessment and treatment including whatever we decide together will best serve you. This may include external abdominal muscle & fascial manual therapies such as holistic abdominal therapy, osteopathic bodywork, muscle and fascial release techniques, holistic body-based meditations, somatic experiencing nervous system regulation practices, movement analysis and practice, and of course, teaching to empower you to follow through on taking care of yourself in the rest of your life. This may also include internal pelvic work, but never in the first session, and only with your full consent after providing education on the appropriateness of this examination/ treatment for your situation.
Self-Care Plan (Individualized)
After your Initial Consultation session, I will create and send you a Self-Care plan to serve two purposes: to help us understand your body's 'edges' of comfort and discomfort, and to help you follow through on elements that were facilitated in the office. I expect my clients to take care of themselves and perform their self-care plan, which I ask people to commit to setting aside 15 minutes daily, most days of the week. It often includes body/ somatic, mind, and-or soul tools for practice and is the essential piece for helping your body-being to shift in more permanent, long-lasting ways. This plan will continue to be individualized and modified throughout our work together.
Number of sessions
It is important to note that I typically do not see clients weekly as I utilize a different model of care that I observe to work more effectively for holistic abdominal-pelvic healing. This is for two reasons: the pace of healing in the body is slower to integrate than the initial bodywork that supports shifting in the biofield/ energy system; and the longer time between sessions allows clients to be more empowered in the integration of Self Care Practices that will be recommended.
A more spread out appointment schedule allows for the integration of new practices into life and to take the time needed to do so, while also maximizing a client's investment in their health. In addition, I often work in combination with other providers offering my unique lens to support and integrate you healing. I do not function as a front-line pelvic PT clinic, but more as a holistic consultation provider for those that wish to have this lens.
I am unable to suggest exactly how many sessions an individual may require for holistic abdominal healing without an individualized evaluation process, which requires at least the Initial Consultation and at least one follow-up appointment.
**I recommend that people commit to a time and cost investment in themselves start by scheduling 1 session/month for 3 months, depending on individual situations. We continuously evaluate together if and how this work is serving you. I do my best to choose wisely in collaboration with those who are ready and will benefit most from this work as I currently offer it. I may also recommend that you work with a more conventional PT practice with greater frequency depending on your situation. My way of working is effective, but not for everyone and sometimes is not the right timing for everyone. It is a commitment to your own healing path. I am open to working with folks longer than this, but usually ask that clients take off a month from treatment every 3-4 months of work for their own rest and integration.
Do you do internal exams/ treatments?
If you have been to abdominal-pelvic health physical therapy before, you know that this examination is usually included when investigating certain pelvic health issues. If you have not been to pelvic health physical therapy before, an internal vaginal exam and treatment, which includes the insertion of one practitioner finger with proper universal precautions including cleanliness and the use of nitrile exam gloves (no latex) can be helpful in understanding the structures and tissues that may be influencing your challenge, whether it be pelvic pain, bladder leaking, prolapse, and others. This exam can be very helpful in understanding your challenge and/ or supportive in holistically healing your abdominal-pelvic story.
I do perform these exams and treatment with folks and am trained & experienced in doing so with female-body anatomy using both vaginal and rectal approaches. However, I do not perform this exam in initial sessions, and not without having provided extensive education to patients and receiving very clear and collaborative consent from them that they are ready to proceed with this. There are a variety of reasons this may not be appropriate for a given person or situation.
Given my increasingly somatic and trauma-sensitive lens, my understanding of how this particular portion of the work helps folks is different from a conventional pelvic health approach. My lens is that the way and timing in which this needs to be done (if at all) must be with respect, slowness, a high level of conscious awareness on the part of the practitioner and the patient, and great sensitivity to the individual and their story.
That said, I have many people in my practice that do not want to start with the internal exam, or want to try to treat their bodies with all of the external options available first and that is completely fine! It is my job to fully inform you regarding if this exam/ treatment method will be supportive to your challenge in your healing path. I greatly value what I call "continuous consent." This means that I take great care to inform you every step of the way as I touch your body, and give you the choice to tell me when it's OK, when to pause, stop, or not do something.
*Restoration of the client being in control and following the body's pace in this process is vitally important to healing for many people. Much is missed, especially in empowering nervous system regulation and safety in the abdominal-pelvic space, when this exam often bypasses the client's conscious awareness and empowerment in this process.*
I do perform these exams and treatment with folks and am trained & experienced in doing so with female-body anatomy using both vaginal and rectal approaches. However, I do not perform this exam in initial sessions, and not without having provided extensive education to patients and receiving very clear and collaborative consent from them that they are ready to proceed with this. There are a variety of reasons this may not be appropriate for a given person or situation.
Given my increasingly somatic and trauma-sensitive lens, my understanding of how this particular portion of the work helps folks is different from a conventional pelvic health approach. My lens is that the way and timing in which this needs to be done (if at all) must be with respect, slowness, a high level of conscious awareness on the part of the practitioner and the patient, and great sensitivity to the individual and their story.
That said, I have many people in my practice that do not want to start with the internal exam, or want to try to treat their bodies with all of the external options available first and that is completely fine! It is my job to fully inform you regarding if this exam/ treatment method will be supportive to your challenge in your healing path. I greatly value what I call "continuous consent." This means that I take great care to inform you every step of the way as I touch your body, and give you the choice to tell me when it's OK, when to pause, stop, or not do something.
*Restoration of the client being in control and following the body's pace in this process is vitally important to healing for many people. Much is missed, especially in empowering nervous system regulation and safety in the abdominal-pelvic space, when this exam often bypasses the client's conscious awareness and empowerment in this process.*
Can I work with you if I am experiencing my period bleeding time?
The answer to this depends on the individual. Most of the time, in my practice, I choose to not perform maya abdominal, viscerofascial osteopathy, or internal work during your period. Depending on where we are in your treatment plan, I usually have people reschedule their appointment. On occasion, we may be working through period pain or other symptoms in a particular way and working during this time can be beneficial. I will inform you if this is the case for you and we can always decide together. If for any reason this does not feel supportive for you, we can re-schedule with advanced notice.
Can I work with you if I have an IUD?
Again, this also depends on your particular situation. If you intend to work with uterine massage, uterine and associated organ-fascial-based manual therapies, or have an issue that would be responsive to these therapies, the answer is no. The potential for dislodgement or perforation is small, but a risk that I am unwilling to take with you. Use the Contact Form to get in touch if you have any questions about this.
Do you take my insurance?
I am considered an out-of-network provider with all insurance plans for in-person bodywork sessions.
My practice is focused on you and your healing. In my experience of more than 20 years of interaction with the insurance based model, insurance is a barrier to this goal. My primary focus is on you. Your insurance provider's primary focus is on cost containment. We don't want the same things.
In order to provide you with the highest level of care possible, with a greater variety of options, and longer sessions to support your body in healing, the short answer is no.
Womb Matters accepts cash, check, credit card, and HSA funds due in-full at the time of service. If you intend to use HSA funds, you must make sure you have sufficient funds to pay for your sessions.
**Super bills can be provided at your request, but no guarantees are made about if and how your insurance company will honor them.
My practice is focused on you and your healing. In my experience of more than 20 years of interaction with the insurance based model, insurance is a barrier to this goal. My primary focus is on you. Your insurance provider's primary focus is on cost containment. We don't want the same things.
In order to provide you with the highest level of care possible, with a greater variety of options, and longer sessions to support your body in healing, the short answer is no.
Womb Matters accepts cash, check, credit card, and HSA funds due in-full at the time of service. If you intend to use HSA funds, you must make sure you have sufficient funds to pay for your sessions.
**Super bills can be provided at your request, but no guarantees are made about if and how your insurance company will honor them.
Do you take Medicare and Medicaid?
No. I unable to work with people who hold these for their insurances benefits to provide skilled physical therapy services. **This means that even if you have one of these insurance plans and you want to pay me out-of-pocket, you are not able to do so. Lobbying efforts have passed odd rules around this, but I have triple-checked these rules. I can do wellness coaching with these individuals out-of-pocket, and I can offer recommendations for bodywork providers that serve Medicare/ Medicaid beneficiaries.
Do you work with male anatomical bodies or transgender folks with female anatomy?
No. Almost all of my conventional and holistic training has focused on the anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and energetics of the female anatomical body system. It is not my intention to exclude male bodies, only to share that anatomical male body pelvic health is its own specialty with its own training. While I have not had the experience of working with many folks who identify as transgender with female anatomical reproductive systems or gender-fluid folks, I am open to exploring this with people on an individual basis to see if we might be a good fit to work together. That said, folks in male anatomical bodies experience pelvic health challenges too! And, also folks who have undergone procedures for gender affirmation surgeries. I have amazing colleagues in male and transgender pelvic health PT and would love to connect you if you need a recommendation.