Frequently Asked Questions
Is therapy right for me?
That's a big question, but the fact is that there are many reasons why people choose to have therapy. Mental health is just as just as important as physical health. And we all go through life changes, and many of us struggle with internal parts of ourselves which aren't so pleasant. Emotions are hard, loneliness can be a dark place, and when we feel like we are going through it alone, it all can seem so much bigger.
The world is changing at a rapid pace, and many people are seeing challenges where they never have before: employment, relationships, social interactions. The fear of the unknown horizon is a huge thing in people's lives.
Therapy gives you the opportunity to safely express yourself without judgement, with someone who accepts you for you, inside and out.
I can usually handle my problems. Do I really need therapy?
Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated many difficulties you’ve faced, there’s nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. Having enough self-awareness to realize when you need a helping hand, is to be admired. By taking responsibility and accepting where you’re at in life, you’re making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools, you need to reduce the reaction to triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome the challenges you face.
What is therapy like?
Every therapy session is unique to the individual and their personal goals. It is common for therapists to begin by discussing the primary concerns in your life during therapy sessions, and the first session is usually for assessment and information gathering. Then, after that, it can be as deep as you are comfortable with; we can dig in the past, try to tame the present, or plan for the future.
It is common to schedule a series of weekly or biweekly sessions, where each session lasts around forty-five minutes. This series can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth. There may be times when you are asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records to track certain behaviors. It is important to process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life between sessions. For therapy to be most effective you must be an active participant, both during and between the sessions. People seeking psychotherapy are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives. Here are some things you can expect out of therapy:
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Real strategies for enacting positive change
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Self-compassion, respect and understanding
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Perspectives to illuminate negative patterns & feelings
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Effective and proven techniques along with practical guidance
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Accountability is often sought by clients for keeping to their goals, and even a little challenging can go a long way.
How will therapy help me?
Several benefits can occur from participating in psychotherapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be tremendously helpful in managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on difficult problems or point you in the direction of a solution. The help you obtain from therapy depends on how well you use the process and practice what you learn. Some of the benefits can include:
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Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
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Developing skills for improving your relationships
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Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
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Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
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Better management of powerful emotions such as anger, grief and depression
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Improving communications and listening skills
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Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
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Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
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Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work? What are your fees?
I currently accept insurances and am in process of being placed on various insurance credentialing boards. If you are curious about how your insurance works, please contact your providing insurance to see if I am in network with your insurance.
As you consider the cost of counseling, it is important that you look at it as an investment in yourself and your future. The value will ultimately outweigh the cost.
Is therapy confidential?
The law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and psychotherapist, and no information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client in most situations. However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:
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Suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
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If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist is required to notify the police.
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If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.
How do I get the most out of counseling?
View counseling as a collaboration.
Express your needs, ask questions, read books, and do the “homework assignments”. This is your money and time, and we are going to work together to make your life better.
Say anything you want in therapy.
Some people censor themselves in therapy for fear of judgment or appearing impolite. Be the most authentic, unfiltered version of yourself as you can be. This is a safe place for you to be yourself.
Do the work outside your sessions.
A therapy session typically lasts 30-45 minutes; however, in order to get the most out of it, it’s important to think of therapy as 24/7. Utilize coping skills, mindfulness, meditations, and skills that we talk about to increase your ability to use what we work on in the real world.
Keep a Counseling Journal
Either in a notebook or in a word document. Often, I may ask questions you might not have the answer to. You want to reflect on it later, though, and journaling is an amazing way to do that.
Prepare for Sessions
Get your journal or notebook out before your session and reflect on what you’ve been working on, thinking about or stuck on. You can make notes in our messenger space. Write down any questions you have or any topics you want to focus on in the next session. That way you can start the session focused on what’s most important to you. Thinking space can be challenging to carve out these days with the demands of everyday life, but it will help you make the most of counseling.
Give me Feedback
If I am hitting all the right points, great! Let me know! That way I can keep doing it. Am I missing the mark? Great! Let me know so I can adjust. I am learning constantly, even after 15 plus years of treatment, and find there are as many reactions to different things as there are people. Counseling is not a one size fits all, and there are literally HUNDREDS of methods to do things in counseling.
Speak Up Before Ending Counseling
Speak up if you are thinking about ending counseling, whether it’s due to making the progress you wanted, financial challenges or personality clashes. Let me know you are done for now so you can have time to summarize and celebrate all your hard work. If the counseling isn’t going well and you feel stuck, speak up about this, too. Even if something in therapy confused or hurt you, it’s good to practice being open about it. If I am not a good match, this gives me an opportunity to offer other options.