Frequently Asked Questions
What happens in the first session?
All therapy begins with an initial consultation that lasts the first of 2-4 sessions. I will gather some information about what is bringing you in for psychotherapy as well as some background information (e.g. mental and physical health history, family history, employment, etc.) so I can determine whether my expertise is a good match for what is bringing you in for services. If I do not feel that I will be able to offer you the services you need or I feel that other services would be better suited, I will assist you in finding other referrals and resources.
What are therapy sessions like?
Sessions are 50 minutes long and are centered around what your needs are. What a session will look like each week can vary a lot; I generally let my patients take the lead and bring in what they are struggling with each session (versus me starting and guiding the direction of the session). From there we will have an open dialogue depending on what is on your mind that week.
How often are sessions? How many times will we be meeting?
That depends on what your needs are and what you are wanting to get out of therapy. Most people see me at least weekly until they feel they are feeling much better and then they may step down to less frequent sessions. I find that starting out most people benefit most from regular, weekly sessions. Having a regular weekly time is important for people to be able to talk through and address their struggles in a meaningful way. It allows me enough time and space to get to know you so I can be helpful. Many patients also choose to deepen their therapy work through being seen multiple times per week, as this allows more space for them to talk through their struggles and also allows me to get to know them better.
Is what I say in therapy confidential?
Yes. What you share with me is not disclosed unless you provide permission for me to share the information for some reason. The only exceptions to confidentiality are if I felt you were a significant risk to hurt yourself or someone else, if I find out about a child or elderly person being abused, or if a court subpoenas my records. Also, if you are using insurance I also sometimes have to share information with insurance companies (diagnosis, some details about treatment if requested) for insurance to pay for services.
How do I know if you are the right therapist for me?
Trust your gut. I believe that match is one of the most important things in a therapy relationship. Every therapist has a different way of working, style, and personality. My approach will work great for some people and not so well for others. Sometimes it helps to give it a few sessions as it will take us both time to get to know each other, but if you are not feeling like you can be open with me or like I can help you after meeting with me a few times then I am probably not the right therapist for you. Please know that you can talk to me about this and I will respect your decision and help you get connected to a therapist that feels like a better fit.
What should I expect during our initial phone conversation?
I will ask you to share a little bit of what is bringing you in for therapy (don’t worry you don’t need to share your whole life story) so I can make sure that I am able to meet your needs. I might ask some follow-up questions to get a better sense of what you are looking for. If it feels to me like I could be of help to you, we will discuss scheduling, fees, policies, office directions. etc. If I don’t feel I am the right fit or if setting up an appointment is not feasible for practical reasons then I will offer you a referral.
