FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need therapy?
This is a common question when an individual begins feeling like something in their life is off. Therapy can be helpful for all kinds of issues such as:
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sadness, hopelessness
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stressed, anxious thoughts
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traumatic events
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parenting or family conflict
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divorce or partner betrayal
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substance abuse, addiction
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grief and loss
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fertility, postpartum struggles
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Unemployment, career change
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LGBTQ+ support
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racial identity difficulties
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financial troubles
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spiritual deconstruction, trauma
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food or body image issues
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adjustment to life issues (recent health diagnosis, empty nesters, moving, etc.)
Everyone encounters one or more of these issues throughout their lifetime. Some individuals have a harder time moving through them. Therapy gives these individuals an opportunity to understand what the struggle means for them, while giving them the tools to cope with the discomfort and come out on the other side in a better place than when they began.
How does it work?
Every therapist has their own rhythm of how the process begins.
Typically, the first session is for history-taking and building the working relationship. Success in therapy is 50% dependent on how well you and your therapist get along together. If you’re not feeling like it's going well, let your therapist know. It’s okay! You will not hurt their feelings. Therapists are humans too, and sometimes we just can’t connect.
During the first few sessions, the therapist will ask a lot of questions. Some of them may seem relevant, some of them may not. It is not to be nosy, but it is the best way for the therapist to get a whole view of not just you, but what brings you in. People make sense in the context of their story, so your story is hugely important to this process. And we want to honor all the parts of it. You are not a problem to be fixed. You are a unique person who had to learn ways to get through your experience so you could survive. It makes sense – YOU make sense.
From there, you and your therapist will collaborate and decide what your therapeutic goals are. Do you need better coping skills for a job you hate? Do you want to learn ways to communicate better with your partner? Where is this anger coming from, and what do you want to do about it?
You decide where you want the ship to go, and the therapist makes sure to map out the most effective and efficient course to get you there.
How often do I need to come?
It depends. Typically, most clients begin attending weekly, unless time or money are a barrier. I suggest the first 6-8 sessions be weekly, as it aids in building our working relationship, and we can create some momentum around the work that needs to be done. I believe in transparency with my clients, so we will have this conversation as much as needed for you to feel comfortable that you are getting what you need while balancing other factors where more frequent sessions are not possible.
How long is a session?
Sessions typically last 50-55 minutes, with the exception of EMDR sessions. EMDR sessions are scheduled for 105 minutes, which is equivalent to 1 hour and 45 minutes. EMDR intensives can be booked as well, ranging from 2-4 hours, 3 times a week.
What is your fee?
My standard session rate is $135. For a 2-hour EMDR session, the fee is $270.
What if I can't afford therapy?
Therapy is an investment. It costs you emotional energy, physical energy, and certainly financial energy. For many needing services, the latter can be a huge barrier to reaching out. Whether you are wanting to meet with me or another provider, I urge you to reconsider and reach out anyway. We can discuss what your options are depending on the need.
One of the biggest frustrations with therapists is that private pay mental health services are not typically covered by insurance. While I cannot guarantee that your provider will reimburse you for our services (it varies by provider), you will receive a superbill that can be submitted to your insurance, where they may reimburse you.
How can I work with you
If you are interested in working with me, feel free to reach out to me with any questions. The consultation would give us a chance to meet, and what your therapeutic needs may be. Depending on your goals, we would discuss how I could help and what that process might look like. From the moment you reach out, confidentiality begins, so even if you decide we wouldn't be a good fit, your story will remain confidential.