FAQs

Tell me more…

my problems aren’t that bad, would i benefit from therapy?

While many people who attend therapy may have a mental health diagnosis, there are many people who don’t have a diagnosis that would benefit from therapy. If you were starting to feel a little bit sick, wouldn’t you want to try and take care of yourself so it wouldn’t get worse? If you are proactive and start attending therapy before things feel really “bad” you have a better chance of being able to build skills that will help you to be resilient when life gets stressful.

What is Teletherapy? How is it different from meeting in person?

Teletherapy is very similar to in-person therapy in a lot of ways. A therapist will meet with you either in a video call format or even over the phone. Video calls are preferable as body language and face to face interaction is a big part of therapy. Teletherapy still allows for you to discuss your problems, formulate goals, and have a therapist help you to learn tools to manage your problems, but you don’t have to travel! In this confusing and stressful time, it is even more imperative to manage your mental health. Teletherapy helps you to work toward your goals while maintaining the safety of you and your community!

**Note: Sessions are never recorded or stored in order to maintain the confidentiality of the client.

how long will i need to be in therapy?

There is no set length of time that will work for everyone. You and your therapist will work together to set goals and monitor progress. Some people feel that just a few months are enough while others might want to spend more time working on more than one goal. Some clients will find it useful to engage in therapy for a period of time and then come back to it if they experience life stressors that exacerbate issues.

can’t i just take medication to resolve my symptoms?

Medication can be a useful, and sometimes necessary, tool to relieve symptoms and improve your ability to function. However, there are many studies that have found that client’s who see the most improvement consistently attend therapy while on medication. A therapist can help you to learn new skills and tools that you couldn’t get from only taking a pill. A therapist is different from a psychiatrist, in that a psychiatrist is an MD and can prescribe medication, while a therapist specializes in recognizing symptoms and diagnosing mental health conditions.

do you only do marriage and family therapy?

While the acronym MFT stands for Marriage and Family Therapist, MFTs can work with a variety of clients. The main focus for MFTs is to support clients in addressing relational difficulties. This can include family relationships, romantic relationships, friendships, professional relationships, and your relationship with yourself!

what if i change my mind and want to quit therapy?

There is no obligation to attend any set number of sessions. You could come in once and decide that therapy isn’t for you. You might enjoy it for a while and then find that you don’t really need it anymore. A free 20 minute phone consultation is offered to see if therapy feels right for you.

if i need help with something outside of our session, can i call you?

Structure and boundaries are an important part of the therapeutic relationship. A therapist is not meant to offer advice for daily struggles as they happen. The goal is for you to learn skills and gain insight during session and then be able to generalize those skills to take control of the problems that you face. If you are in a mental health crisis you should contact 911 or a crisis line 1-800-838-1381. If you are not in crisis, jotting down thoughts or feelings related to the issue and bringing the issue to the next session is recommended.

can we hang out outside of session?

While a therapeutic relationship may feel somewhat like being able to talk to a close friend, law and ethics do not permit therapists to have “dual relationships” with their clients. This helps to prevent potential conflicts that might prevent you from being successful in therapy. You might think of friendship as a two-way street, you give energy to the friendship with the hope of getting something in return (e.g. time together, comfort, loyalty). Therapy is intended to be a one-way street, the therapist gives energy to the client, while not expecting any reciprocal support from the client.

do you take insurance or offer a sliding scale?

I am not taking insurance or offering sliding scale fees at this time. Please visit the rates section to learn more about the cost of sessions.