Do I really need a behaviorist, or will my cat just grow out of it?
Some behaviors do resolve on their own — but many of them don't. If something has been going on for more than a few weeks, or is escalating, it's may not resolve without professional intervention. The sooner a behavior is addressed, the easier it is to change. Waiting can make behavior modification harder, not easier.
Should I see a vet first?
Yes! Medical causes need to be ruled out before I can address the behavioral ones. Some issues may seem strictly behavioral, including aggression and litter box avoidance, but they may actually be related to underlying health issues.
Is virtual as effective as in-home?
For most cases, yes. You'll give me a video tour of your space and I'll observe your cat on camera. The behavior history you complete beforehand provides the foundation — the session itself is for observation and planning, and that works well virtually. There are some cases where in-home is clearly better (multi-cat tension, space-specific issues), and I'll flag those if it applies to you.
How long does a consultation take?
Plan on 60–90 minutes for the initial consultation. Follow-up sessions are usually 45–60 minutes.
What do I get after the consultation?
A written Behavior Modification Plan — a personalized, step-by-step document outlining the changes to make, the techniques to use, and what to expect over time. This is yours to keep and refer back to.
How long will it take to see results?
It depends on the behavior and how long it's been happening. Environmental changes often produce immediate results. Conditioning and counter-conditioning work more slowly — typically 2–8 weeks of consistent effort. I'll give you a realistic picture for your specific situation during the consultation.
Do you work with kittens?
Yes — in fact, early intervention is the best time to prevent problem behaviors from developing. If you've just brought home a kitten and want to start on the right foot, that's a great use of a consultation.
Do you work with multi-cat households?
Yes, and multi-cat dynamics are one of the most common things I work with. Cat introductions, territory conflict, resource competition — this is a big part of what I do.
What's the difference between a behaviorist and a trainer?
Trainers typically focus on teaching desired behaviors — sit, stay, tricks. A behaviorist works on understanding and changing problem behaviors, including fear, aggression, and anxiety. There's overlap, but the focus is different. My work is primarily behavioral — understanding what's driving the behavior and addressing the root cause, not just the symptom.
Do you use punishment-based methods?
No. I'm Fear Free Certified, which means everything I do is built around reducing stress and fear — not adding to it. Punishment-based methods for cats are both ineffective and damaging to the human-cat relationship. I don't use them and I don't recommend them.