What is therapy?
Therapy is a safe and confidential space where you can talk with a trained mental health professional about your mental health concerns and emotional difficulties. People usually decide to see a therapist when the pain of what they are trying to cope with becomes too big for them to handle on their own and they decide they want help.
How can therapy help me?
Therapists can provide support, problem solving skills and coping strategies for a wide range of issues. The role of the therapist is to be objective and can thus provide a different or a fresh perspective on a topic you have been struggling with.
Benefits of therapy depend on your commitment and level of readiness. Benefits can include boosting self confidence or improving self esteem, improving communication skills, developing new coping skills, gaining a better understanding of yourself, changing old patterns and developing new ones and managing your feeling such as sadness, anger or other highly charged emotions you may be feeling.
How long will therapy take?
Therapy typically does not have a set time length. Some problems resolve very quickly while others are more complex and take longer to work through.
I meet with clients on a weekly basis for sessions lasting 60 to 90 minutes. I find that it is important to meet for weekly sessions to build consistency and trust within the therapeutic relationship. We may work together for up to a year or more, then we may transition to bi-weekly, once monthly or as needed basis.
What will therapy be like?
Because each person has different concerns and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the person. In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, explore your personal history and reflect on things you are noticing in between sessions. The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you apply what you learn in session into your day to day life. I may suggest some things you can do outside of therapy to support your process. This may include reading a relevant book, journaling, developing nourishing daily rituals or noticing and tracking specific behaviors. It’s important to understand that you will get more results from therapy if you actively participate in the process.
Do you prescribe medication?
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, good psychotherapy and lifestyle changes can help you feel and function better. However, if your symptoms are severe or do not begin to improve after our work together, I might suggest you get assessed by a psychiatrist or physician (I am not licensed or trained to prescribe medication). We will have this conversation if either of us thinks it would be helpful.
Do you take insurance?
I do not take insurance.
Good Faith Estimate of Service
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost
Under the 2021 No Surprises Act, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical services, including psychotherapy.
You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency services.
Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service.
If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.
Make sure to save a copy or take a picture of your Good Faith Estimate.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises
Is virtual therapy for me?
Although there are many advantages of online counseling (it’s convenient, effective, keeps us safe from infectious diseases such as COVID-19), it’s not right for everyone. Online counseling (teletherapy) works best for those with mild to moderate symptoms, are comfortable using technology, and have a quiet, private place to have their sessions.