FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
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 hard to talk about feelings out loud. The fear around that can feel overwhelming. It takes courage to start going to therapy. The fact that you are on this website, looking for help, and reading this right now shows that you are being brave and seeking help.
Therapy is a space where you can be yourself and feel safe from judgement, 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 email me.
During our free phone consultation, you can ask me about how I have helped other people like you before, or any other questions you may have that are specific-to-you. You’ll also be able to discuss what’s on your mind and I will let you know how I can help.
The first few sessions are to gain an understanding of the difficulties you are experiencing and to see if I am a good fit to meet your needs. During the sessions, you’ll be able to see how you feel about 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?
It’s natural to not want to share some of the painful or difficult things we’ve been through. During our sessions, I will never push you to talk about things that are too painful. It’s my job to provide a safe and non judgmental space for you to share and work through the tough stuff. As we build trust, you will gradually share at a pace that feels comfortable to you.
You can also share with me that you are nervous to open up about something and we can talk about that too. Whatever is present for you. Whatever you are going through. Bring that to session and we can explore that together.
I’m scared that if I open up, you will think I’m I’m a bad person.
If you open up to me, I will not think you are I’m 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 I’m a bad person). Through my own life journey and working with my clients, I know how ‘normal’ your experience is. You have nothing to be ashamed about. Nothing you can say will cause me to judge you.
I know we all struggle, we all have our strengths and weaknesses, we all suffer in different ways.
Whatever it is you’re going through, my goal is to create a safe space where you can feel heard and supported without judgement.
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 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 during our free phone consultation or anytime during our work together.
How long will therapy take?
The total duration of therapy varies from client to client. It is based on your needs and treatment goals. On average, my clients start seeing improvements after the first 3-5 sessions. However, other clients feel more supported by longer term therapy. We will work together to find the length of time that works best for you. But I want all my clients to know that hope and healing is possible.
What can I expect during the first session?
Overall, you can think of the first session as a structured assessment that helps me get to know you and the challenges that brought you into treatment. 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?
Have you gone to therapy before? How did that go?
What do I need to know about you to understand your current challenges?
The most important part of a first session is to experience what therapy is like with me. I encourage you to ask me questions as well. If you feel safe and comfortable , we can discuss if you’d like to meet again.
How can I get started?
Call or email me for your a free phone consultation where you can discuss what’s on your mind and I will let you know how I can help.