Frequently Asked Questions
What is Therapy?
Therapy is a collaborative process where you work with a trained mental health professional to better understand your thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and life experiences. Therapy provides a safe, confidential, and nonjudgmental space where you can talk openly about what you are going through and receive support, guidance, and tools to help you cope and heal.
People come to therapy for many reasons, including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, relationship issues, life transitions, stress, or simply feeling stuck or overwhelmed. You do not need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy — many people use therapy for personal growth, self-understanding, and improving their overall well-being.
In therapy, we may explore past experiences, current challenges, patterns in relationships, coping skills, and ways to manage difficult emotions. The goal of therapy is not to “fix” you, but to help you gain insight, develop healthier coping strategies, process difficult experiences, and create meaningful change in your life.
Therapy looks different for everyone, and the process will be tailored to your individual needs, goals, and comfort level.
Do I need Therapy?
Many people wonder if their problems are “serious enough” for therapy, but the truth is you don’t have to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. Therapy can be helpful for anyone who is feeling overwhelmed, stuck, anxious, grieving, struggling in relationships, going through a life transition, or simply wanting to better understand themselves.
You might consider therapy if you are:
Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, sad, or emotionally exhausted
Going through a loss, grief, or major life change
Struggling with trauma or past experiences
Having difficulty in relationships
Feeling stuck or unsure about your next steps in life
Not feeling like yourself
Wanting better coping skills or support
Therapy provides a safe, confidential space to talk, process your experiences, and learn new ways to cope, heal, and move forward. You do not have to figure everything out on your own, and you do not have to wait until things get worse to ask for help.
If you are even wondering whether you might benefit from therapy, that is often a good sign that it could be helpful to talk to someone.
Is therapy confidential?
Yes, therapy is confidential. What you share in therapy stays private and will not be shared with anyone without your written permission. Creating a safe, private, and trusting environment is an important part of the therapy process.
However, there are a few legal exceptions to confidentiality. Therapists are required by law to break confidentiality if:
There is a risk of serious harm to yourself
There is a risk of serious harm to someone else
There is suspected abuse or neglect of a child, elderly person, or vulnerable adult
Records are required by a court order
If any of these situations arise, I will discuss this with you whenever possible before sharing information.
If you are using insurance, your insurance company may require limited information such as a diagnosis or dates of service for billing purposes.
If you have any questions about confidentiality, we can discuss this in more detail during your first session, so you feel comfortable and informed.
Will you get tired of hearing me talk about the same things over and over again?
Absolutely not! This is a very normal part of therapy. Sometimes we need to talk through the same situation multiple times in order to gain clarity, process emotions, and develop new understanding or perspectives.
It is also common to feel like you have worked through something, and then a new stressor or life event brings those same feelings back again. This is a normal part of the healing process, not a sign that therapy isn’t working.
For many people, especially those who have experienced trauma or significant loss, these experiences can affect many different areas of life. It makes sense that we may revisit these topics more than once as new situations, memories, or emotions come up.
Therapy is not about saying something once and moving on. It is about giving yourself the time and space to fully process your experiences at your own pace.
Do you offer virtual sessions?
Yes, I offer virtual therapy sessions through a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. Virtual therapy allows you to attend sessions from the comfort and privacy of your own home or any location where you feel safe and comfortable.
Many clients find virtual therapy to be convenient, flexible, and just as effective as in-person therapy. All you need is a private space, a reliable internet connection, and a phone, tablet, or computer with a camera.
If you are unsure whether virtual therapy is a good fit for you, we can discuss your preferences during your consultation.
What do we discuss in the consultation call?
I offer a brief consultation call as an opportunity for us to get to know each other and determine if we are a good fit for working together. During this call, I may ask about what is bringing you to therapy, what you are hoping to gain from the process, and whether you have had any previous experience with therapy.
This is also your time to ask any questions you may have about my approach, experience, and what it might be like to work together. Finding the right therapeutic fit is an important part of the process, and I want you to feel confident in your decision.
In my experience, when clients are matched with a therapist without the opportunity to connect beforehand, it can sometimes lead to a less effective experience. A consultation helps ensure that your needs, preferences, and goals align with my approach.
After our call, I encourage you to speak with other therapists as well so you can make an informed decision about who feels like the best fit for you.
How can I tell if a therapist is a good match for me?
Finding the right therapist is an important part of the process. A good therapeutic fit often comes down to how comfortable and supported you feel. You should feel seen, heard, and respected, as well as a sense of trust and connection with your therapist.
It’s also important that your therapist has experience and training in the areas you want to work on, and that their approach aligns with your needs. Some therapists are more direct, while others take a more gentle or exploratory approach. Reflecting on what feels most helpful and comfortable for you in relationships can guide you in finding the right fit.
Overall, you should feel a sense of safety, autonomy, and ease in being yourself. If something doesn’t feel like the right fit, it is okay to explore other options—finding the right therapist can make a meaningful difference in your experience and progress.
What is the intake process?
After our consultation call, if you decide you would like to move forward with therapy, there are a few intake steps that need to be completed at least 24 hours before your first session. You will be asked to complete intake paperwork, consent forms, and practice policies. If you plan to use out-of-network insurance benefits, additional forms will be provided.
The intake process helps ensure that we have a clear understanding of your needs and goals so that therapy can be tailored specifically to you.
What happens in the first therapy session?
During your first therapy session, we will review your intake information, talk about what is bringing you to therapy, and I may ask additional follow-up questions to better understand your history, current concerns, and goals. We will also begin discussing what you would like to focus on in therapy and start developing a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
The first session is also an opportunity for us to get to know each other and continue determining if we are a good fit. You will have the chance to ask questions, learn more about my approach, and talk about what therapy may look like moving forward, including how often we may meet and the types of approaches we might use.
You do not have to share everything in the first session. We will move at a pace that feels comfortable for you. Many people feel nervous before their first appointment, which is completely normal. My goal is to create a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you can feel comfortable and understood.
By the end of the first session, you should have a better understanding of the therapy process and what working together may look like moving forward.
Can I decide to see a different Therapist?
Absolutely. It is very important that you feel comfortable and supported in therapy, and that you are working with someone who feels like a good fit for you. Therapists are not one-size-fits-all, and sometimes a different personality, approach, or area of expertise may be a better match for your needs.
If at any point throughout our work together you feel like you would benefit from a different therapist or a different therapeutic approach, you are always welcome to discuss this with me. My goal is for you to get the most out of therapy, even if that means working with someone else.
I am happy to provide referrals or help point you in the direction of therapists or therapeutic approaches that may be a better fit for what you are looking for.
How will we measure success?
Progress in therapy looks different for everyone and depends on your individual goals. We will regularly check in about how you have been feeling, how things have been going since our last session, and whether you feel therapy is helping you move toward the changes you want to see in your life.
At times, I may also use assessments or questionnaires throughout the course of treatment to help track changes in symptoms, mood, and overall functioning. If you are participating in EMDR therapy, there is also a structured process built into the treatment that helps us measure progress and track how experiences and triggers are changing over time.
Success in therapy is not about being perfect or never struggling again. Often, success looks like improved coping skills, feeling more in control of your emotions, improved relationships, reduced symptoms, and an increased ability to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and resilience.
How often will we meet for sessions?
The frequency of sessions depends on your individual needs, goals, and preferences. Many clients begin with weekly sessions, as this allows for consistency, builds momentum, and supports meaningful progress—especially when starting therapy or engaging in deeper work such as trauma processing.
As therapy progresses, some clients choose to transition to biweekly sessions, and eventually to monthly or as-needed appointments as they move into a maintenance phase of care.
I understand that scheduling and financial considerations are important, and we can work together to find a frequency that feels both supportive and sustainable for you. We will regularly check in and adjust as needed based on your progress and goals.
How long does therapy take?
The length of therapy is different for everyone and depends on your goals, what you would like to work on, and your personal history. Some clients come to therapy for a short period of time to work through a specific issue or life transition, while others choose to stay in therapy longer to address deeper patterns, trauma, or ongoing personal growth.
In general, some people begin to feel relief and notice changes within a few months, while deeper therapeutic work may take longer. Therapy is a process, and we will regularly check in about your goals and progress to make sure therapy is meeting your needs.
You are always in control of how long you stay in therapy, and we can decide together what feels most helpful for you.
How do I pay for Therapy Sessions?
As mentioned on the Insurance and Pricing page, if you plan to use your out-of-network insurance benefits, I use a billing service that helps manage claims and reimbursement. In this case, you will only be responsible for your copay at the time of each session.
If you are not using insurance, the full session fee will be charged at the end of each session.
If you have questions about payment, insurance, or out-of-network benefits, we can discuss this during your consultation call.
What is your cancellation policy?
If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please provide at least 24 hours’ notice. This allows me to offer the appointment time to another client who may be waiting for availability.
Appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice, or missed appointments, may be subject to the full session fee. Insurance companies do not cover missed or late-cancelled appointments, so clients are responsible for this fee.
I understand that emergencies and unexpected situations do happen, and these situations will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
If you need to cancel or reschedule, please contact me as soon as possible.
How do I get in touch with you?
Outside of sessions, you can call, text or email and I will get back to you within 24 hours unless it falls outside of my workdays. I work Monday-Thursday. If you reach out to me on Thursday depending on my day, I may not be able to get back to you until Monday.