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- Frequently Asked Question
Supporting Your Mental Wellness Journey
What is therapy like?
Therapy can be many different things to many different people. In a general sense, therapy is a safe, compassionate, non-judgmental place where you can receive not only support and encouragement, but professional, unbiased, and skilled feedback about whatever you may be experiencing.
Therapy is not like going to many doctors’ offices, where you typically report certain symptoms, have a 5-minute examination, and then potentially prescribed a medication. I spend 45-50 minutes with you each session to explore, investigate, evaluate, and sometimes challenge self-defeating attitudes, perspectives, behavior patterns, and belief systems. Time is also spent outlining and reinforcing your strengths and positive attributes, as this is a huge part of therapy as well! Therapy offers you a place to relax, grow, discover yourself, and find solutions to whatever is ailing you. Therapy taps into the power of sitting with another human being, face-to-face, whose sole purpose at the moment is to provide a vehicle for you to gain self-awareness; process your experience in the world; experiment with new ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving; attaining your goals; and sustaining them long-term.
Can therapy help me?
Psychotherapy is one of the most thoroughly researched and proven methods to help people with a variety of problems, including but not limited to: anxiety, depression, addiction, anger, obsessive compulsive disorder, phobias, panic attacks, relationship or marital problems, trauma or PTSD, ADHD, and more. Regardless of what you may be experiencing, therapy can be an invaluable source of self-improvement. It can also serve to support the courage it takes for making necessary changes in your life.
What will we discuss in therapy?
The short answer is anything of concern to you. Mainly we will be discussing your experience being you. This does not have any specific limitations, but may include how you feel about yourself, your relationships, your history, your future, how to maximize your strengths, and how to eliminate the roadblocks that perpetually prevent you from growing and reaching your goals. While providing comfort and empathy, therapy is also here to challenge you and teach you how to challenge yourself. Many clients express that they really appreciate their therapist’s ability to be straightforward with them, confront them when necessary, and simply be real with them as this is sometimes lacking when speaking with well-meaning family, friends, co-workers, etc. This is of course done in a compassionate, skillful way. You will never be forced to speak about anything they are not comfortable with.
Many people come to therapy not really knowing what their goals are yet. Therapy helps you to establish tour goals and what direction you want to take. The process of therapy will provide constructive tools that you will be able to take with you to cope in healthier ways, manage stressors more effectively, as well as ways to eliminate, reduce, or heal the suffering in your life. Building on the strengths, tenacity, and courage within, will also be discussed in our sessions.
While the past and future are undoubtedly very important, we are present-focused, and believe that whatever needs to emerge, will emerge naturally. Sometimes facing difficult, painful feelings and memories is a necessary part of therapy, but we can guide you through this process in the most compassionate, supportive, and safe way possible – and at your own pace.
How long will therapy take?
This will depend on the reason you are coming for therapy as well as what you want to get out of therapy. Most of our clients start out coming once per week, but sometimes given the situation, we may discuss coming more or less often. This is always a two-way conversation, as we let our clients do what feels right for them. For instance, sometimes with issues such as substance use, severe depression or anxiety, or a recent trauma, extra support may be needed for some time. Sometimes clients choose to come bi-weekly or once per month, as this may be more conducive to their schedules and/or situations. Similarly, some clients may choose to come to therapy for only a few weeks or months in order to acquire some new skills that they can easily implement in their lives. In other situations, some clients may need more sessions to delve into how their personal history led to the patterns that they want to change.
Some clients choose to stay in therapy for ongoing support to sustain the positive changes that they made in their life as well as identify new areas for self-improvement. We certainly do not want to rush the therapeutic process, but we also do not want to keep you in therapy for longer than you want or need. We encourage you to speak openly about this topic with your therapist, as this decision is generally collaboratively decided, given each individual’s progress in therapy.
Will you prescribe medication?
I do not prescribe medication, but provide referrals to local psychiatric professionals or other medical professionals when necessary. This is only done on a case by case basis, and this decision is made collaboratively with the client when needed. We do have strong relationships with many psychiatric professionals in the area, and we are often able to help clients get appointments. That being said, for many human struggles, we believe that psychotherapy and lifestyle changes should be the first line of defense before considering medications.
How do I know if therapy is right for me?
Call for a free consultation and we can find out together. Therapy may be right for you if you are struggling with an emotional, behavioral or relationship dilemma, and can’t seem to get it under control on your own. Or perhaps you are able to keep it under control sometimes, but it still gets the best of you other times and is continuing to cause stress, pain, or suffering in your life. Many clients who have made enormous strides in therapy, initially came in also wondering if therapy was right for them. Many clients who now feel content and at peace, came to us initially experiencing substantial feelings of shame, anxiety, sadness, worry, and/or confusion. If you feel like you need someone to talk to who genuinely understands, who can offer you valuable feedback and support, therapy may be for you.
Why do people go to therapy?
Most people come to therapy to start or continue the process of relieving suffering, gaining valuable insight and awareness, implementing actionable goals, and finding solutions to what may initially feel like unsolvable problems. Let’s face it, the world we live in today can be quite lonely, emotionally trying, depressing, overwhelming, meaningless, and superficial. In a profound way, therapy can help us reconnect with ourselves, the people in our lives, and the world as a whole. The world today is also quite beautiful, joyous, and meaningful. Sometimes we just need help recognizing and experiencing these aspects of it.
What if I don't want to talk about something?
You will never be forced to talk about anything that you do not want to talk about or do not feel ready to talk about. I will meet you where you are, emotionally, and you set the pace.
Will you think I'm 'crazy'?
Understanding the stigma placed on people suffering with mental health and/or substance use problems, therapy creates a safe atmosphere where you can explore your fears of what others think of you. Within a compassionate-driven framework is acknowledging the fact that all people are imperfect, we all struggle and suffer in different ways. Therapy was designed to be a safe place where you can feel comfortable, supported, and cared for.
How can I reach you?
I communicate with clients via phone, text, and e-mail.. Communication between sessions can be done to reschedule an appointment, check in about something that was discussed during session, to express a personal achievement, or even just to receive a little extra support.
Cost & Insurance
How much do you charge?
I charge $250 per 50-minute session. The initial evaluation is $365. I will bill your insurance for you
I currently do not accept insurance. As a courtesy to you, my office will submit bills to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. I advise you contact them in advance or review your policy to see what your benefits include.
Do you accept insurance?
I currently do not accept insurance. I am able and willing to provide a Super Bill which can be submitted by you to your insurance company for potential reimbursement but I would advise you contact them in advance or review your policy to see what your benefits include.
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