FAQs

How can therapy help me?

Therapy, also referred to as psychotherapy or counseling, is a collaborative process that helps people gain insight into their cognitive, emotional and behavioral patterns. Therapists teach coping strategies, communication skills and problem-solving techniques to help people heal from painful experiences, improve interpersonal relationships and manage life’s difficulties. The ultimate goal is for you to use the tools you acquire during therapy to help you endure challenges and enhance enjoyment in your life.

What happens in a therapy session?

Therapy sessions differ based on each individual’s goals, but most sessions include a few standard features. Therapy sessions last 50 minutes. In certain cases, I may recommend a double session. We will determine the appropriate session length in advance. In our first session, I will ask you about the event(s) that led you to seek therapy, as well as your developmental and personal history. Follow-up sessions generally begin with an update about your experiences since the previous session, including successes and challenges, use of strategies and new insights. Therapy is a goal-directed process that follows a fluid, non-linear path. I will guide you with my expertise, but you are the expert on your life and will play a pivotal role in shaping the course of our work together. I may assign home activities to encourage independent use of the strategies we discuss during sessions.

Why do I need a phone consultation?

A brief phone conversation will allow us to learn a little bit about each other before our first appointment. We will talk about your interest in therapy and the therapy process. Your level of comfort during our initial conversation will help you decide if you’d like to take the next step and schedule an appointment.

Contact me to schedule your free phone consultation!

Is therapy confidential?

The information you share with me during therapy is held in strict confidence. However, according to state law and professional ethics, exceptions to confidentiality are required in specific situations. Below are a few of the situations in which a therapist may disclose information discussed during therapy without a client’s consent.

• Suspected abuse of a child, dependent adult or older adult. Therapists are mandated by law to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.

• Therapist deems a client is at risk of causing serious harm to another person/s. In this situation, the therapist must notify the police and inform the intended victim.

• Therapist believes a client is at risk of serious self-harm. The therapist will make every effort to engage with the client to eliminate the risk of harm. Further measures may be taken without permission in order to ensure safety.

Please review my Notice of Privacy Practices for more information on confidentiality.

Why do you charge for missed appointments and late cancellations? 

When we schedule an appointment, we make a mutual commitment to be available. While I am sensitive to the busy lives people lead, when someone does not show up for an appointment or cancels within 24 hours of their appointment time, I am unable to fill that time slot with another person. It is standard practice for therapists to charge for missed appointments and late cancellations. For more information, please review my Cancellation/Attendance Policy.

What if I need medication?

The decision to take medication is highly personal and individualized. If you are currently prescribed medication, I will ask for consent to speak with your provider to coordinate care. If you are not taking medication and we decide medication could be useful for you, I can refer you to a psychiatrist or you can select one of your choice.

How long does therapy last?

The length of therapy depends on your goals and can range from a few months to several years. We can engage in brief therapy to help you get through a specific situation or longer-term therapy to address pervasive difficulties and enhance personal development. The frequency of therapy is typically one session per week but can vary depending on your needs.

How do I start therapy?

You can contact me to schedule a free phone consultation. We will discuss your interest in therapy and determine next steps.

What do LCSW and MPH stand for?

LCSW stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker. The LCSW credential indicates a therapist earned a Master of Social Work degree from an accredited graduate school and passed a clinical licensing exam. Clinical social workers help people change behaviors, attitudes and emotions to improve quality of life. A social worker with an LCSW must attend continuing education programs to maintain licensure.

MPH stands for Master of Public Health. The MPH degree requires completion of an academic program from an accredited school of public health. The field of public health focuses on improving the health of populations and communities through health promotion, disease and injury prevention and access to health care.