What is mental health therapy?

How do I know if I need therapy?

You may consider seeing a therapist when something causes distress and interferes with your day-to-day life, like when:

•  Thinking about or coping with the issue takes up at least an hour each day.

• The issue causes embarrassment or makes you want to avoid others.

• The issue has caused your quality of life to decrease.

• The issue has negatively affected school, work, or relationships.

• You've made changes in your life or developed habits to cope with the issues.

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How do I choose the right therapist? 

Find someone with whom you feel comfortable. You are the best judge to find the right therapist for you. Be picky. That being said, you may feel uncomfortable with everyone the first time you see them since an initial visit with a therapist can be anxiety-provoking. Give someone a few sessions to see how you feel, unless you know in your gut it is a "no". Only start to question yourself if every therapist across the board makes you feel uncomfortable, then find the person with whom you feel the most comfortable, even if it's still hard to connect. Your therapist is there to talk about this process. 

What should I expect during my first therapy appointment?

Your first session will probably involve your therapist asking you a lot of questions about yourself, how you cope, and your symptoms (it's basically an interview). You may also chat about goals for therapy, expectations, and more. 

How do we decide what to work on or what my therapy goals will be?

Despite some misconceptions, a therapist’s job isn’t to solve your problems for you. You as the client determine what the goals for therapy will be. As your therapist, I will collaborate with you to create an individual plan that's just right for your unique needs. As you set goals and decide what you hope to accomplish or experience, you'll better understand what you're working toward in therapy.

How often does a therapist meet with clients?

Different issues and models of therapy require different timeframes. Therapy has been found to be most productive when incorporated into a client's lifestyle for approximately 12-16 sessions, most typically delivered in once-weekly sessions for 50 minutes each. 

How long will I be in therapy (weeks/months,etc)?

Duration of therapy can vary depending on the issue at hand. Assessment is ongoing and our goals may change as sessions go on. Depends on what we are working on. However, you are not obligated to participate in therapy and can choose to terminate at any time. 

What happens in a therapy session?

Each session is, essentially, a problem-solving session. You describe your current situation, and your feelings about it, then the therapist uses their expertise to assist you in trying to resolve that problem so you can move closer to having the life you wish to have. At the beginning of the session, the therapist typically invites you to share what's been going on in your life, what's on your mind, what's bothering you, or whether there are any goals you'd like to discuss. You'll be invited to speak openly.

What is the process of starting therapy like? 

Typically, we first schedule a free 15 minute consultation to chat about what you're looking for and see if I am a good fit to help. then: 

•  Referral out OR schedule our first appointment

• Fill out intake paperwork before our first scheduled appointment

• Meet for our first appointment & agree on your goals for treatment

• Work on your goals together

Can I use my health insurance to pay for therapy?

Typically you can use your insurance to pay for therapy. However, every person's coverage and insurance is different. This is something your insurance provider would need to verify to see what is covered, what your annual deductible is, what your copay is, etc. At this time, I am no longer accepting insurance clients. I can provide you with superbills to submit to your insurance for reimbursement. Please check with your insurance company to see if this is an option. 

How much does therapy cost?

My fee per session is $175 for a 50-minute session. But don't let the price prevent you from getting therapy. Please ask about a sliding scale. I reserve a few slots in my schedule for sliding-scale clients. Or I can also help find referrals to providers who match your budget better.

Am I charged for canceling my therapy appointment or not showing up?

Life happens and I understand that. You are free to re-schedule 24 hours in advanced. If you do not cancel within 24 hours before start time, you will be billed for a $75 fee. All of this information is included in your intake paperwork. There are also plenty of appointment reminders sent out in advanced.