Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some frequently asked questions about the therapeutic process and using online therapy. Please read over these questions and answers prior to your first session with me. If you have any additional questions that I have not answered here, please do not hesitate to contact me any time and I will do my best to answer them thoroughly.

How often and/or long are therapy sessions?

Your first sessions with me may be a bit longer than the rest of our sessions, usually 60-75 minutes. This is the session where we will mostly be gathering information about who you are, your life experiences thus far, and your goals for therapy. All other sessions will be approximately 50 minutes. I usually start with seeing my clients on a weekly basis so that we can build momentum from the start. Usually as we progress through therapy your sessions will become less frequent until you are ready to move on from our work together.

What am I supposed to talk about in therapy?

You may talk about whatever you want during our sessions; almost nothing in inappropriate to discuss within the counseling relationship. I ask my clients at the beginning of our work together to consider where it would be most beneficial for them to start exploring. Then from there, I will be the guide down the path as it naturally unfolds.

Some people come into therapy knowing exactly what they want/need to discuss whereas others simply want to explore themselves more generally. Either way, there is no right or wrong place to start or progress in therapy. Everything we experience is connected so once you start improving in one life area, the others will naturally begin to follow. If you ever have difficulty deciding a topic or direction to explore next, I will be here to support you in finding your best path.

Does online therapy really work?

Yes, absolutely! It is understandable that many people are hesitant to give online therapy a chance because it is a relatively novel concept. Counselors and other mental health professionals have been using online platforms for quite a few years now, however it has just started becoming more mainstream within the past couple of years.

But in the time that the field has been utilizing this kind of platform, it has become undeniable that it is a resource with real benefits. The research that has been done of online counseling thus far has found that it is just as effective as in-person counseling services. In addition, it has added benefits that you cannot gain from being in the same room. If you would like to learn more about the benefits of online counseling, I have put together a more extensive list of benefits here.

What if I don’t feeling like I am “bad enough” for therapy? Would it just be a waste of time?

There is no severity threshold that you must surpass to in order benefit from therapy. I truly believe that every person on this planet, no matter how well adjusted they are, could benefit from going to therapy. Think of it this way, people do not go to the gym only when they are severely unhealthy or overweight. Many people go to the gym all the time as part of their normal health maintenance routine. Therapy can be used in the same way.

Yes there are people who attend therapy because they are going through a very difficult season in life or they are experiencing many mental health issues, but that is not the only use for therapy. Most of the clients that I have worked with in the past have actually been there for proactive purposes rather than crisis management. So as long as you feel you could find some benefit to attending therapy, no matter how big or small, that is the only reason you need to start down this path.

How long will I need to be in therapy?

The length of time that my clients continue to engage in therapy services is dependent on a few factors. First, the frequency of sessions that they begin with. If we do not build momentum working together from the start, then it can prolong your services. This is why I suggest all new clients begin with weekly sessions when at all possible.

Second, your particular goals for therapy will have an impact on the amount of time we work together. If you are looking to solve a specific problem or learn specific skills, then the time line may be a few months or so. On the other hand, if your goals are more regarding self-exploration and mental health maintenance, then the timeline could be years.

Third, your level of commitment is in direct relation to the amount of time it will take to reach your therapeutic goals. The more you are committed to putting in hard work and some extra time to implement the things we discuss in our session, the faster you will see progress. The exact opposite is true as well. The long it takes you to fully commit to the process and doing the work that is necessary to see growth, the longer it will take to reach your goals.

How much does therapy cost and how does payment work?

Please visit my pricing page for more info on the insurances that I currently accept and my therapy fees.