Therapy can help you better understand yourself and others. In addition to treatment of specific needs (such as anxiety, depression, or ADHD, etc.), therapy can help with… 

• Teach you new coping skills

• Improve communication skills to help you in your relationships 

• Create boundaries with family and friends or professionally

• Navigate life transitions such as moving, relationship changes, parenting milestones, or grief

• Improve your self-esteem and relationship to your body 

• Process past trauma in a safe, and supportive space

The short answer is if you want to learn, grow, or process something about yourself, it will work.

The longer answer is that different people fit better with different types of counselors – male or female, spiritual, specialized, client centered or theory oriented. Therapy will work best if your counselor is one with whom you feel comfortable. In fact, research shows the relationship between client and counselor is at least as great a predictor of the success of therapy as any other aspect, including the type of therapy you receive.

The other piece, though, is that if you want your therapy to change someone else, it’s not that simple. You can only change you. Your therapy can impact the way you interact with others, which could potentially change their behavior, but it’s not a straight line from your therapy to their change.

Generally, friends and family can be great options.  They’re familiar, they know you, and they genuinely want to be helpful.

‍But seeing a therapist has additional benefits, like:

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• A therapist has professional training.

• A therapist has objectivity and confidentiality.

• A therapist has firm professional boundaries.

• A therapist can prioritize you and your feelings.

• You don’t have to feel guilty about taking up a therapist’s time or feel obligated to return the favor and be their listening ear.

What you choose to share is entirely up to you. Honesty is crucial for effective therapy but you do not have to share everything all at once or before you are ready.  If a therapist asks you a question you do not want to answer, simply let them know you are not ready to discuss.  

Building trust and a comfort level with a therapist takes time but overall, honesty allows your therapist to tailor treatment to your specific needs.  Remember, therapists are trained to offer support through difficult conversations, not judgment.  And we are bound by confidentiality.  If you are finding it difficult to share, discussing your hesitation with your therapist can be a valuable conversation and open new doors.  

Because every person is unique, and every issue affecting every person is unique, it’s impossible to know how much time is needed to resolve problems. However, you should know by the fourth or fifth session if counseling is helping. 

Frequency of sessions is an additional variable unique to each person.  For some, weekly sessions help bring relief and a sense of accomplishment, others may find therapy that often too intense.  If counseling is every two weeks or longer, of course, progress will be a bit slower. This is because we spend more time catching up instead of just continuing on from the last session. So at a less frequent pace, it will take a bit longer to feel healing and achieve your goals.

Understand that some therapists and clients work even better in longer sessions though. The best way to figure out what will work best for you and how long that will take is by goal setting, monitoring progress made toward your goals, and communicating with your therapist along the way.

Therapy, especially for the first time, may bring on a sense of nervousness.  Vulnerability with a new person, fearing judgment or confronting painful feelings, and uncertainty about the changes it might bring are all normal thoughts to be concerned about.  It can be comforting to know what to expect during your first therapy session.  Please remember that therapy is at your pace.  You are getting to know me while I am getting to know you and I am open to any questions you might have about how therapy works.

Some other ways to prepare include:

• ‍Keeping an open mind about therapy, and being open to the possibility that it can help you.

• Writing down specific topics you want to cover or goals you see for yourself.

• Understanding that therapy is a gradual process and you may take time to feel relief.

Therapy sessions are typically 50-55 minutes, while groups may run longer per session.  In some instances, it is preferable to schedule for a longer period of time, though generally not more than 2 hours. The therapist and client will determine that together.

You have a legal and ethical right to privacy, or “confidentiality”, in therapy. This means I, as your therapist, am legally and ethically obligated to not share information about your sessions, including dates of sessions, what you discussed, or your personal identifying information. 

There are a few exceptions to confidentiality where a therapist can be legally and ethically required to disclose details of your case with others: 

1) You sign a Release of Information giving that therapist permission to discuss your case with others (Hippa Release)

2) You express intent to harm yourself or others

3) There is reasonable suspicion of abuse/neglect against a minor child, elderly person (60 or older), or disabled person

4) A court order is received directing the disclosure of information.

I keep it private and use it to understand you better.

State and federal confidentiality laws, the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) prevent me from sharing your information. There are exceptions in a few circumstances like abuse of a child or threats to self harm, and to provide for coordination of care in emergencies. 

Your story and what you choose to share, I value because it is a piece of you. It is an asset that helps me determine how best to work with you, what might help you, and what to set to the side until you feel stronger.

A therapist or counselor, is trained and licensed in talk therapy or play therapy.  Therapists have their Master’s Degree or Ph.D., and yearly continuing education.  

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in behavior.  Psychiatrists tend to limit their talk therapy/counseling services and are typically available for medication management and assessments or testing for school, courts, etc. 

If your or your therapist feels that you may benefit from medication, your therapist will provide you with a referral to qualified doctors. Ideally, if medication is necessary, then medication and talk therapy are used together. Medication therapy is not a replacement for talk therapy.

To preserve the continuity of care and consistent messaging, it is sometimes important to work with school counselors, pediatricians, primary care physicians, psychiatrists, etc. With written permission (Hippa Release), therapists can consult on treatment plans or answer questions that other professionals may have. If a client needs their therapist to work with other professionals in their life, please don’t hesitate to ask.

MFTs treat individuals, couples, and families. The unique perspective you will find during treatment with an MFT, is that the therapist will incorporate and work to understand your feelings and beliefs within the interactions and relationships of your wider circle.

Family systems therapies focus on the interconnectedness of family members and the influence of those dynamics on individual behaviors and emotions. Therapists employing this approach often explore patterns of interaction, roles, and communication styles within your unique family system, in an effort  to promote healthier relationships and functioning for all members. In contrast, traditional individual therapies prioritize the individual’s internal experiences, thoughts, and emotions, with less emphasis on family dynamics and broader influences.

Please note that sessions are by appointment only. If you must cancel or reschedule an appointment, I require at least 24 hours notice so that I may have the opportunity to schedule another client during that appointment time. Clients who do not provide 24 hours notice that they will not be attending a scheduled session will be billed the full fee for the therapy hour.

In recent years, most workplace and private insurance providers have begun to offer coverage for therapy.  While this undoubtedly helps with accessibility to therapy, I have made the choice not to be listed on insurance roles.  The main contributing factors for my decision are that

• In order for an insurance company to be financially liable for treatment, I must provide you with a clinical diagnosis which will become part of your permanent medical record.  

• There is potential for insurers to interfere with your care by shortening session time, capping visits, overriding clinical judgment deemed necessary for care, and denying control over treatment decisions.  

‍However, if utilizing your insurance coverage is important to you, I am able to provide the documentation necessary for you to submit reimbursement claims at an out of network rate.  Please let me know if you have questions and we can absolutely discuss.