Common Questions
Here are some questions you may have. Have any more? Don’t hesitate to ask!
How long will I need to be in therapy?
For the most part, there is no set length of treatment. You can go to therapy as long as you need. It can be as short term as a few weeks to off and on for a few years.
How long are sessions? How often?
Sessions are about 45-55 minutes long. The last few minutes of the hour are reserved for documentation and sending any materials necessary. Frequency depends on severity, your schedule, your needs, etc. Some people come in weekly, bi weekly, once a month. Some people start off weekly and come in less often as they begin to feel ready.
What should I expect from our first session? From following sessions?
Your first session will be an intake; consider this an information gathering session in which you will brain dump all your concerns. I will ask you questions about your history and we will set some preliminary goals. During sessions, we will talk about anything that has been taking up space in your mind. During some sessions, I will give small, simple tasks to work on throughout the week (i.e thought tracking, trying a coping skills, setting a boundary, etc). We would discuss them the next session in which you can let me know if you found it beneficial.
Will my information be kept private?
Contents of all therapy sessions (written & verbal) are considered to be confidential under the ethical code of the American Counseling Association and The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). I cannot and will not share any information about you or your treatment without your written consent. The limits of our confidentiality include: if you are going to hurt yourself, if you are going to hurt others, or if legally mandated.
What is the difference between paying with insurance vs privately?
There are pros and cons to both. Insurance can definitely alleviate a lot of financial stress; however, information regarding your treatment may have to be shared in order to have sessions approved. Insurance companies require a diagnosis in order to approve services. You may not meet the full criteria for a diagnosis. While paying privately is an additional cost, I try to see it as an investment for your future. You will not have to label yourself or have any information shared that you don’t feel comfortable sharing.
How will I know you’re the right therapist for me? What do I do if I need something different? How do I know if this is working?
You should feel comfortable, an absence of judgement and a genuine connection. A therapist is different from a friend who is a good listener because a therapist will not judge, not give you advice, not try to fix you or talk too much about themselves. The focus is you. If you disagree with something I say or do, it is a safe space to give me feedback. If I feel you would benefit from a professional with more expertise on a particular issue, I can refer you or give you recommendations. No hard feelings. My main role is to get you the help you need. If you feel you are not making progress, we can explore what we can do differently.
What is the difference between a counselor, psychologist, and psychiatrist?
These are all titles of mental health professionals but all have some different skills and abilities. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Below are some definitions from WebMD:
Psychiatrist: “A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (M.D. or D.O.) who specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating mental illness……. As a doctor, a psychiatrist is licensed to write prescriptions. Many mental disorders -- such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, or bipolar disorder -- can be treated effectively with specific drugs. If you are working with a psychiatrist, a lot of the treatment may be focused on medication management.”
Psychologist: “A psychologist has a doctoral degree (PhD, PsyD, or EdD) in psychology, which is the study of the mind and behaviors…. Licensed psychologists are qualified to do counseling and psychotherapy, perform psychological testing, and provide treatment for mental disorders.”
Licensed Mental Health Counselor. “A psychological counselor is a mental health professional who has a master's degree (MA) in psychology, counseling, or a related field….A mental health counselor is qualified to evaluate and treat mental problems by providing counseling or psychotherapy.”