FAQs
Is therapy right for me?
Therapy is a supported safe environment to get to know oneself. Therapy is an investment in yourself to explore how your past impacts you currently and to learn techniques that allow you to feel aligned with your Self. It is my belief that therapy is a gift for anyone at any stage in their lives both for themselves and their loved ones. You deserve to have space to grow into the best version of yourself!
What’s the difference between talking to you or my best friend or family?
Having family, chosen family, and or friends is important to one’s health. Often they will interact with you in multiple settings and have an invested interest in a particular outcome for you. Working with a mental health therapist is a relationship that is confidential and a place for you to explore the different aspects of life without complications of existing relationships. A mental health professional can help you approach your situation in a new way- teach you new skills, gain different perspectives, listen to you without judgment or expectations, and help you listen to yourself. Therapists have gone through extensive training to not be afraid of difficult emotions or feel rushed to fix it, instead therapist will help you understand patterns and encourage acceptance.
How does it work? What do I have to do in sessions?
Because each person has different concerns and goals for counseling, what we do will be based on individual needs and will be developed together. I tailor my therapeutic approach to your specific needs. Together we will reflect on your past as keys to build healthy habits, explore what it means to work with feeling, heal from difficult experiences, and investigate your values. Therapy works best when one is open to being honest with themselves and their therapist. Being open will unfold opportunities for change and understanding.
How long will it take?
Unfortunately, this is not possible to say as each individual has unique needs. Everyone’s circumstances are unique to them and the length of time counseling can take to allow you to accomplish your goals depends on your desire for personal development, your commitment, and the factors that are driving you to seek counseling in the first place. Often people start with weekly sessions and reduce to bi-weekly once they feel they have reached a sense of stability. Sessions are traditionally 50 or 80 minutes long.
Why shouldn’t I just take medication?
For many people, medication is a helpful tool to manage symptoms but they do not address the underlying emotional distress. Sometimes medication is needed in conjunction with counseling. Research has determined that the combination of medication and therapy is the most effective approach. That being said, many people can find relief from evidence based therapeutic modalities in counseling alone. Our work together is designed to explore and unpack the problems you are experiencing and expand on your strengths that can help you accomplish your personal goals.
What are the benefits of paying out of pocket?
The main benefit of paying out of pocket is that you will not need a formal diagnosis to do the work. When using insurance, one is given a diagnosis that often is on their medical records throughout their future. Insurance companies often have limits to the amount of sessions and the type of diagnosis they accept, often relationship distress is not one of the accepted concerns. Private pay allows the therapist greater autonomy to provide the services they deem are in the client’s best interest. By eliminating the need to diagnose a condition that may or may not fully exist, the therapist can ensure the clients receive ethical, honest and accurate care.