Frequently Asked Questions

Psychotherapy is the practice of spending time with a trained professional such as a psychologist, a social worker, or a licensed counselor, to help diagnose and treat mental and emotional problems, as well as talk through everyday difficulties. Psychotherapy  can be conducted via a variety of modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and committment therapy (ACT), experiential therapy (art therapy, movement therapy, psychodrama), eye movement  desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR),  psychodynamic therapy, or a combination of several. Therapy may look a little bit different between therapists- some are more direct, some give homework, others are non-directive, and offer a more experiential approach.  Regardless of the type of therapy, research shows that the therapeutic relationship between client and clinician is by far the most important aspect in treatment.  

The thought of walking into a first therapy session can cause people a great deal of anxiety, even if you’ve been to therapy before. You may be worried about judgement, being vulnerable with a stranger, being “analyzed”, or being misunderstood. These worries are common, and often dissipate after the first session. I hope to assure you that the therapy space is judgment-free! My aim is to help you feel safe and comfortable beginning to share what is troubling you. 

Choosing the therapist that is the best fit for you is of the utmost importance. I encourage clients to interview and meet at least two therapists before choosing. This is why our first meeting is a “consultation” and is free of charge. We will meet for 30 minutes to get to know one another and determine if it’s a good fit. I will ask about what has brought you to therapy, what you’re hoping to gain, your goals, your strengths, the symptoms you’re experiencing, and generally get the “lay of the land”. I hope that you’ll come with questions too, about me, my experience, and how I might help you. At the end of the consultation, we will talk about treatment options and decide if we want to move forward. 

It depends! Some clients come into therapy with clear goals, wanting to work through a specific crisis, trauma, or life transition. Others come in looking for a long term, supportive, therapeutic relationship. For some, therapy can last a few months and terminate when the issue is resolved. Others find that meeting once a week or once every two weeks helps them maintain stability, emotional well being, and contentment in their lives. The length of treatment ultimately depends on you, and what you need. I have experience using more brief therapeutic methods such as brief solution focused therapy, CBT, DBT, and EMDR, as well as longer term modalities such as psychodynamic therapy. We will check in frequently throughout the treatment process to assess your progress, goals, new issues that may have arisen, motivation, and needs. 

I am in network with Anthem, and United Behavioral Health/UMR. This means that if you have coverage under one of these plans I will bill your insurance. You will be responsible for a co-pay if applicable. If you have a different insurance plan, you will pay for each session and at the end of the month I can provide you with a “super bill” which you can submit to your insurance company for full or partial reimbursement. If you choose not to use insurance, or need to private pay, my fee for a 55-60 minute session is an individual is $150; for couples $175. I offer “sliding scale” arrangements to a limited number of clients based on financial need. 

Therapy sometimes gets a bad reputation, unfortunately. Seeing a therapist is not a sign of weakness- in fact, it’s a sign of strength! Human beings are meant to exist “in relationship”; very few people can navigate life alone. Almost everyone needs help to get through tough situations at one time or another. Many people who are completely “sane” and “together” see therapists. Often, people realize that maintaining their mental health, motivation, and ability to adaptively move through life requires ongoing support from a therapist. A therapist can help organize and understand thoughts, manage emotions, deal with life’s stressors, survive tough transitions,  make important decisions, and work through difficult situations. It may be useful to view a therapist as a “guide”, a person who you can confide in, seek support, and with whom you can learn to be your “best” self. 

Choosing a therapist is perhaps one of the most important decisions you will make. Typically, I encourage clients to interview at least 2 therapists to determine what feels like a good "fit". With a therapist that is a good fit, you will likely feel validated, understood, and able to share important details of your life. I encourage clients to trust their intuition when meeting a therapist. It's important to ask questions about the therapist's background, education, training, and approach to therapy. While I hope that we are a good fit, there are never hard feelings if we aren't!