Getting started
Beginning care
A simple, thoughtful process from the start.
Beginning care starts with a brief consultation. If you’re ready to begin, choose a consultation time directly through the secure client portal. If you have questions about the practice, fees, privacy, or whether Dr. Tomlinson’s approach may be a good fit, use the contact form instead.
During the consultation, you and Dr. Tomlinson can briefly discuss what brings you in, what you’re looking for, and whether the practice appears to be a good fit. If you decide to proceed, you’ll discuss the next steps for scheduling an initial appointment.
01 — Schedule a Consultation
Choose an available consultation time through the secure client portal.
02 — Brief Consultation
Speak with Dr. Tomlinson about your needs, questions, and whether the practice is a good fit.
03 — Initial Appointment
Discuss your concerns, relevant history, current circumstances, and what you would like to change.
04 — Develop a Plan
Together, you will establish priorities and an individualized, evidence-based plan for moving forward.
Schedule a Consultation
What to expect
Active, collaborative, and purposeful care.
The first few appointments focus on developing a clear understanding of what brings you to care, the experiences and circumstances that may be contributing, and what meaningful improvement would look like.
From there, Dr. Tomlinson works with you to establish goals and select an approach grounded in psychological research and tailored to your individual needs. Depending on the concern, care may involve a structured evidence-based treatment or draw from several approaches.
Sessions are collaborative and active. Dr. Tomlinson asks questions, offers observations, provides education when useful, and may challenge patterns or assumptions when doing so can help move the work forward.
Progress is discussed openly throughout care. Treatment can be adjusted as circumstances change, new information emerges, or goals are achieved. The objective is meaningful, durable change—not remaining in treatment indefinitely.
Practical details and policies
Important practice policies are reviewed before your first appointment, including scheduling, cancellations, communication, confidentiality, and telehealth procedures.
Appointments are generally scheduled at a consistent frequency based on clinical needs and treatment goals. Because appointment times are reserved specifically for each person, advance notice is required for cancellations or rescheduling.
Confidentiality is fundamental to psychological care. Before beginning, you will receive detailed information explaining privacy, recordkeeping, electronic communication, and the legal and ethical limits of confidentiality.
For individuals working in military, intelligence, national security, law enforcement, or other sensitive professions, Dr. Tomlinson welcomes questions about privacy, documentation, and confidentiality before care begins.
This is an outpatient practice and does not provide emergency psychiatric services or continuous crisis coverage.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to know exactly what I want to work on?
No. Some people begin with a specific concern; others simply know that something needs to change. Developing a clearer understanding of the problem can be part of the initial process.
How frequently will we meet?
Many individuals begin with weekly appointments, although frequency depends on your needs, goals, and treatment approach and may change over time.
How long does treatment last?
There is no predetermined length. Some evidence-based treatments are relatively structured and time-limited, while more complex concerns may benefit from longer work. Progress and the continued usefulness of treatment are evaluated throughout care.
Do you only work with military members and veterans?
No. Dr. Tomlinson has extensive experience with military populations, but her practice is not limited to military-affiliated individuals. She also works with adults in national security and other demanding professions, as well as individuals seeking care within her areas of clinical expertise.
Do I need to have PTSD?
No. A diagnosis is not required. Dr. Tomlinson works with people experiencing the effects of trauma, moral injury, difficult experiences, and loss, whether or not those experiences meet criteria for a particular diagnosis.
Can I work with Dr. Tomlinson if I live outside Virginia?
Often, yes. Dr. Tomlinson is licensed in Virginia and Colorado and participates in PSYPACT, allowing her to provide telepsychology to eligible individuals located in participating jurisdictions. View the current PSYPACT participating-jurisdiction list.
What if I travel frequently?
Because psychological services are regulated based on the patient's physical location at the time of an appointment, availability while traveling depends on the jurisdiction. Frequent travel or an upcoming move can be discussed in advance.
Will seeking care affect my security clearance or military career?
Dr. Tomlinson cannot predict how another organization will evaluate a particular situation. However, the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency has emphasized that seeking mental health care does not, by itself, impact your security clearance. Dr. Tomlinson understands concerns on this issue, however, and welcomes additional questions before care begins.
Do you prescribe medication?
No. When medication evaluation may be helpful, Dr. Tomlinson can discuss how psychiatric or medical care might complement psychological treatment.