Will you prescribe medication?

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No, I am not legally allowed to prescribe clients medication. I can give you referrals that you can reach out to for medication management.

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How can I tell if a therapist is a good match for me?

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The best way to know if a therapist is a good fit is if you feel validated, you feel like they actually listen to you, they give you the tools to do the work, and you can notice a change in yourself. It is always important to make sure you feel like your therapist is a good fit.

What benefits can I expect to see from therapy?

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A number of benefits are available from participating in psychotherapy. Often it is helpful just to know that someone understands. Therapy can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. Many people find therapy to be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, and the hassles of daily life. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:

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• Attaining a better understanding of yourself and your personal goals and values

• Developing skills for improving your relationships

• Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy

• Find new ways to cope with stress and anxiety

• Managing anger, depression, and other emotional pressures

• Improving communication skills – learn how to listen to others, and have others listen to you

• Getting “unstuck” from unhealthy patterns – breaking old behaviors and develop new ones

• Discovering new ways to solve problems

• Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

Can I decide to see a different therapist?

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If you don’t believe that I am a good fit, I can always refer you to one of the many other therapists I network with. It’s never helpful to stay with a therapist that you don’t feel like is a good fit so I very much want you to talk with me about your concerns and get you the therapist that’s just right for you.

What if I don’t want to talk about something?

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Everyone has the right to ask anything that they want, and everyone has the right to not answer. Every client is allowed to tell me that they have a boundary around something and no pressure will be put on you to share. You are also always allowed to ask me any question and I promise I won’t get offended; I just may have my own boundary around it as well. I will never pressure you into talking about something you aren’t ready to talk about or share. When you’re ready, I’ll be there to listen.

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Will you think I’m “crazy”?

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No, I’m here to help you in whatever you’re struggling with. I’m not there to judge you. If you feel like your therapist is judging you, it may be a sign to find a new therapist.

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Is online therapy effective?

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Yes! Studies have shown that online therapy is just as effective as face-to-face therapy.
 

A 2014 study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that online treatment was just as effective as face-to-face treatment for depression. A 2018 study published in the Journal of Psychological Disorders found that online cognitive behavioral therapy is, “effective, acceptable and practical health care.” The study found the online cognitive behavioral therapy was equally as effective as face-to-face treatment for major depression, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. A 2014 study published in Behavior Research and Therapy found that online cognitive behavioral therapy was effective in treating anxiety disorders. Treatment was cost-effective and the positive improvements were sustained at the one-year follow-up.

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What does a therapy session look like?

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Each individual is different, so each person’s session will look a bit different. For the first session, there are 3 main components that you can expect. First we'll review some of the policies to make sure any questions or curiosities are answered. I like to make some space for you to ask some questions about me as I know it's very vulnerable coming to therapy and I want you to know that I show up as my authentic self as well. Lastly, when hopefully you're feeling a bit more comfy, we'll take time getting to know a little more about what brings you in and what you're hoping for in our work together. 

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How long do I need to come to therapy?

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Unfortunately, this is not possible to say in a general FAQs page. 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.

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What is your cancellation policy?

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Our cancellation policy states that you must let me know 48-hours before your scheduled session, or you will be charged the full session fee. In the event that you do not show up for a session, you will also be charged the full session fee. Sessions that are repeatedly cancelled will result in not being able to schedule during “prime time” spots.

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Is therapy right for me?

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People use therapy for many different reasons. Sometimes it is for help with psychological or mood problems such as anxiety or depression. Sometimes it is for help in making a change, such as becoming more effective at communicating in relationships, body image issues, or certain phobias. Sometimes an unexpected change throws us into a difficult situation, such as divorce or a work transition. Many people seek out therapy as a space for personal growth and value the support and honest feedback of a therapist. Therapy is right for anyone interested in cultivating a life with more insight, flexibility and resilience.

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How is therapy different than talking to a best friend?

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When we don’t completely understand what therapy is, it’s easy to assume it won’t be more beneficial than talking to a friend. Like a relationship with a friend, seeing a therapist involves conversing with someone, being vulnerable and maybe receiving advice. These aspects of therapy are, however, only a small part of the experience. Once you learn the differences between working with a therapist and talking to a friend, it will be easy to see how therapy might be worth the investment. It’s more than paying to chat with someone, and it carries less risks than treating your friends like therapists. \

Here are some aspects of therapy that provide long-term value and go beyond the kind of chatting you could do with a friend:

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• Learning how to better manage emotions

• Challenging negative beliefs that negatively affect your life

• Learning new perspectives on situations and people

• Learning how to improve good relationships and avoid toxic ones

• Identifying negative and positive behaviors, decisions and patterns

• Understanding how your past is affecting the present

• Reducing symptoms of mental illness

• Preventing the development of mental illnesses

• Learning therapeutic techniques such as breathing techniques and journaling

• Learning to be more authentic and understand who you are

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Is therapy confidential?

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In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and
psychotherapist. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client. 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.

• If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist is required to notify the police and the person in danger.

• If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety and in rare cases this requires contact to family members or other service providers.

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Will you tell me what happens in my child’s therapy session?

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No, not without your child's permission. It is essential that your child knows that what is shared in the session is private. It must be their decision as to what they choose to share with you. However, rest assured that collaboration between the therapist and the caregivers are necessary for the attachment-based work that I practice. We decide together what that should look like and it can look a variety of different ways. In the event of a safety concern, we will always attempt to schedule an additional session that same day to tell you
immediately, even if they aren’t quite ready to tell you themselves. Safety is of the utmost importance.

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