FAQs

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I’m nervous about starting therapy. Is that normal?

Therapy can be vulnerable and new, so it’s natural to be nervous. It can be scary to think of opening up or crying in front of someone new, perhaps fearing that it will be awkward and uncomfortable. The fear around that can feel overwhelming. Getting the counseling we need can be challenging, and although it’s normal to be nervous, that doesn’t make it feel great. It takes courage to continue towards getting the help you need.

Therapy is a space where you can be yourself and come just as you are, including feeling nervous. I’m committed to finding a way to care for your nervousness and ensure sessions are as comfortable as possible.

I’m here if you want to talk about it during a free phone consultation.

How do I know if you are the right therapist for me?

Take your time to read through my website. If you sense that I may be a good fit based on what you are reading, you can schedule yourself in my online scheduler.

During a free 15-minute phone consultation, you can ask me questions about my approach, what a typical session with me is like, or any other questions you may have that are specific to you. You’ll also be able to share what’s going on for you and we can determine how I could best be of service to you.

It may be helpful to think of the first few sessions as trying out the waters together. During the sessions, you’ll be able to see how you feel working with me. My approach is not going to work for everyone. What’s most important to me is that you find someone who you feel is the right fit for you. We can explore that together.

What if I don't want to talk about something?

If something feels overwhelming or even terrifying to discuss, that’s actually very normal. It can often feel difficult to talk about some things. During our sessions, it will always be up to you if you feel ready to talk about something or not. It’s my job to give you space to slowly start to work through the tough stuff. Gradually, and at a pace that feels comfortable to you, you can share what you feel ready to share

You can also share with me that you are nervous to open up about something and we can talk about that, too. Your feelings are welcome, as are your feelings about how you feel. I’m here to help you with whatever is going on for you.

I’m scared that if I open up, you will think I’m a bad person.

If you open up to me, I will not think you are a bad person – I will think you are extremely brave and strong. Many of my clients have had the same fear (that people would think they are a bad person).

Working with my clients has shown me that the challenges you are facing are normal and natural.

You have nothing to be ashamed about. Nothing you can say will cause me to judge you.

I know nobody’s perfect, we all struggle, and we all suffer in different ways.

Whatever it is you’re going through, I provide a safe space where you can feel heard and supported without judgment.

Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?

You may be concerned that your friends, family, or work colleagues could learn what you have said during therapy. So you should know that unless you are suicidal, harming yourself, or harming someone else, what you say in sessions stays between you and me.

I highly respect your privacy and value your trust.

You can rest assured that you can talk about anything without fear of that information getting out.

If you have specific questions about how confidentiality works, you can ask during your free phone consultation or anytime during our work together.

How long will therapy take?

You might be asking about how long therapy will take because therapy is hard to fit into your busy schedule.

If this is true for you, I want you to know that on average, my new clients start seeing positive effects after the first few sessions.

By that point, they feel a little more calm and hopeful that healing is possible

The total duration of therapy varies from client to client. Some of my clients find 6-12 weeks to be enough to resolve immediate challenges. Other clients feel more supported by longer term therapy.

We will work together to find the length of time that works for you.

What can I expect during the first session?

Overall, you can think of the first session as a free-flowing conversation through which we start getting to know each other. I’ll invite you to share more about yourself and we can also talk about what’s worked or not worked for your mental health in the past.

Some questions that I like to ask during a first session include:

  • What brought you to therapy?
  • What goals would you like to reach by going to therapy?
  • What do I need to know about you to understand your current challenges?

You can ask me questions as well. You might be curious about my experience or how future sessions work.

The most important part of a first session is that you see if you feel like I’m a good fit for you. If you feel safe, accepted, and comfortable with me, we can discuss if you’d like to meet again.

How much are your fees?
  • Counseling/Consulting Session: $160 (50 minutes)
  • Record Requests: $10 + postage (if applicable)
  • Case Summary: $50
  • Letter Request: $30 per letter
  • Paperwork Completion: $30 per packet with 7 days to complete paperwork
Do you take insurance?
  • No, I do not accept insurance at this time.
  • If you would still like to work with your insurance, your insurance may provide some reimbursement. To help, I can provide a monthly superbill that you may submit to your insurance for reimbursement.
What is your cancellation policy?

To cancel a scheduled session, a minimum of 24 hours in advance of your session is required. If prior and timely notification is not given, you will be charged the full session fee for the missed session.

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