Frequently Asked Questions
The frequency of therapy depends on your needs and goals. Many people start with weekly sessions to build momentum, while others may find bi-weekly or monthly sessions more appropriate as they progress. Together, we’ll create a schedule that works best for you and supports your growth.
Sessions are 50 minutes long. Typically the first three sessions are building rapport and gathering information. We can have a targeted treatment plan to work on specific goals, all the while addressing everyday issues that crop up as well. I can provide therapy homework that is simply supplemental materials to enhance information discussed in the sessions. It is for your benefit and is not set with any expectations. The environment is calm and soothing.
You don’t need to do much to prepare for your first session. Just bring an open mind and any specific concerns or goals you’d like to discuss. If you’re unsure where to start, that’s okay too! I’ll guide the conversation and help you feel at ease as we begin.
Therapy is a process that is like an onion with many layers to discover. It is unpredictable where the journey leads; living up to the cliché that the journey is significant than the destination. Realistically, the development of your problems occurred over time, and likewise, it takes time to overcome them too. Generally speaking, weekly sessions assist progress, but it depends on your presenting issue if this level of care is needed.
Progress in therapy looks different for everyone, but common signs include gaining new insights, feeling more in control of your emotions, or noticing positive changes in your relationships and daily life. We will regularly check in on your goals to ensure that therapy is meeting your needs and helping you grow.
It’s completely normal to feel hesitant about opening up at first. Therapy is a process, and trust takes time to build. My goal is to create a safe, non-judgmental space where you feel comfortable sharing at your own pace. You are always in control of what you choose to discuss, and we will move forward only when you feel ready.
This is a subjective topic. For some people, a sense of personal connection can feel lost through telehealth, as well as more challenges to protect privacy. For others, telehealth is a perfect fit as it removes transportation needs, can be easily accessible on a lunch break, or can create comfort to be in a private environment of choice.
The therapeutic relationship is an important part of the process, and it’s essential that you feel comfortable with your therapist. If for any reason you feel our connection isn’t the right fit, I encourage open communication so we can address your concerns or explore other options that may work better for you.
I am more than willing to answer questions about myself so long as the purpose of the question relates to helping you and isn’t deflecting. Certain pieces of information about myself may not be helpful to the therapeutic relationship as it can remove professional formalities that differentiate the therapeutic relationship from personal relationships. Ultimately, it is to your own benefit for these parameters to have some structure for your psyche to be responsive in a different manner than other relationships, which is what you’re seeking!
Life happens, and sometimes you might need to miss or reschedule a session. I ask that you provide as much notice as possible, typically at least 24 hours, so we can accommodate your schedule and continue your progress without interruptions.
Medications can be helpful in managing the symptoms of an issue. In fact, in some cases, medications are necessary to stabilize your symptoms enough to even have the capability to absorb the content of the sessions. However, medications by themselves tend to only treat the surface level and can give a false sense of healing. Therapy seeks to address the root causes and origin of the issue for deeper healing. It is my opinion that medication works best in conjunction with therapy.
I believe that all of us are people first. Meaning, a diagnosis may be the closest description of a cluster of symptoms a person is experiencing, but it is not their identity. Symptoms can change, which means diagnosing is flexible. Additionally, as research progresses, the diagnostic statistics manual gets updated further, reiterating its flexibility. Most of us can relate to many of the diagnoses. Qualifying factors for a diagnosis are contingent upon the clinical impacts symptoms are having on a person’s functioning. There is a general consensus to measure the impacts of functioning in the DSM, while it can also be subjective. I believe diagnosing can serve as a guideline without it having to be restricting or limiting to possibilities.
While your friends and family are great sources of love and support, they lack the training and skillset of a therapist to provide clinical diagnostics and analysis, as well as laws that protect your confidentiality. Additionally, friends and family may have the best intentions for you but are still bias sources of information. Therapists are objective in that they are detached from your everyday life and have therapeutic boundaries to protect against biases or conflict of interests. The purpose of the therapeutic relationship is designed to be solely about you and your needs and release you from expectations. It is a relationship that is intended for you to focus on just yourself guilt-free!
Absolutely. You don’t need to have a specific problem identified to benefit from therapy. Sometimes people come to therapy feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of what they’re experiencing. Together, we’ll explore your thoughts and feelings to gain clarity and identify the best path forward.
Absolutely! For starters, different therapists present with differing perspectives and styles that can all serve its own purposes and be beneficial. But in addition to that, we are all creatures constantly evolving. The thoughts and feelings we may have had in the past can change over time and need to be revisited. Furthermore, life circumstances continue to develop in our lives and there may be new issues to work through. Therapy is a form of treatment, just like we take cold medicine whenever we catch a cold, therapy is comparable to this in that you receive it when you need it.
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