What is therapy?
Therapy is your time to concentrate on you, who you want to be, and what you want for your life. Mental health therapy, also referred to as counseling or psychotherapy, is a collaborative process between you and a mental health professional where you learn how to live your best life. You don’t have to have a severe mental illness or have experienced a significant loss in your life to benefit from mental health therapy. You can use therapy as a way to learn more about yourself and grow as a person.
How does therapy work?
Mental health therapy is a process. What makes therapy work is the collaborative relationship with your mental health professional, where you talk together over time, openly and honestly, within a safe environment. Therapy sessions can last from about 45 to 60 minutes long. It may take up to three sessions before you start to see and feel a difference. No matter how often you go, if you go consistently, you’ll typically find that therapy becomes a beneficial part of your life, and you’ll have created a reliable, trustworthy relationship with your therapist.
What isn’t therapy?
A quick fix. The therapist can’t do all the work. This isn’t like getting a shot or taking a pill and then you’re “cured.” Therapists help as a guide and a support so that you can work on yourself. It’s a collaboration, not a one-and-done treatment.
Advice. Your therapist will most likely make observations rather than give advice. One main goal of therapy is to ensure that you’re seen and heard. A great therapist will listen more than give advice.
How do I prepare for therapy or counseling sessions?
You usually don’t have to prepare for therapy. Simply come with an open mind and curiosity about yourself. But here are three tips that can help you get the most out of your therapy experience.
1. You may find it helpful to journal about your thoughts and feelings before you come to therapy. Sometimes a journal can help guide your therapy sessions. Here are some journal prompts to get you started:
- Why do I want to go to therapy?
- How do I feel about where I am in my life?
- What goals do I want to accomplish?
- What’s been bothering me lately?
- Do I want to talk about a specific mental health problem?
- What do I love about my life?
2. You may want to schedule some down time after therapy to process your session, especially if you’re discussing heavy or painful topics.
3. If opening up about your feelings is a new experience for you, then before your first session, you may want to practice sharing your feelings out loud in private.
What can I expect at my first session?
Many people are intimidated by the thought of starting counseling. There can be a lot of fears about what to expect. I hope to make things as comfortable and relaxing for you as possible. During the first session, we will discuss your hopes for counseling and explore what your goals are. There will be some basic paperwork to complete before the first session. It can be helpful to write down any questions you have to bring into the first session.
Most people start by coming to therapy once a week or every other week. That is completely up to you and we will discuss frequency at your first appointment.
Do you prescribe medication?
I do not prescribe medication. You would need to contact your primary care doctor or a psychiatrist for medication purposes.
How long on average do people stay in therapy?
The number of recommended sessions varies by condition and treatment type. Therapy can last anywhere from one session to several months or even years. It all depends on what you want and need. Some people come to therapy with a very specific problem they need to solve and might find that one or two sessions is sufficient. However, the majority of therapy clients report feeling better after 3 months; those with depression and anxiety experience significant improvement after short and longer time frames, 1-2 months & 3-4.
Therapy is discontinued when treatment goals are met, the therapist and client agree that it’s time to stop, and the client knows where to obtain follow-up services if needed in the future.
Do you offer in person or telehealth sessions?
I currently only offer online sessions, or phone sessions. I offer online sessions through a HIPAA compliant platform. There is no registration or downloads necessary, and you can do the sessions through your phone, iPad, or computer. You can switch at any time and insurances pay for all options equally at this.
What insurance plans do you accept?
I accept most major insurance plans. To determine if you have mental health coverage through your insurance carrier, the first thing you should do is call them. Check your coverage carefully and make sure you understand their answers. Some helpful questions you can ask them:
- What are my mental health benefits?
- What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
- How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
- How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
- Is approval required from my primary care physician?
*Cash per session - $95 per hour
What happens if I miss my appointment?
There is a 24-hour cancellation policy. Clients are responsible for missed appointments and late cancellations. Except in a true medical emergency or natural disaster, clients are responsible for the fee if the appointment is canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice or if the client does not show for the scheduled appointment.