Frequently Asked Questions

Below is a brief list of questions I've often received. Don't see the one you have? Contact me below and let's see if we would be a good fit working together.

What does a session look like?

Sessions start with some information gathering about you. This beginning time is for me to get to know you, so that I can better assist you with your presenting problems. I'll ask you what's bringing you to therapy. We'll come up with goals together and ways we can address them. During our course of treatment together, I'll evaluate our progress either through a confidential online survey or verbally. This is to make sure that you get the most of our time working together.

It's up to you how you want therapy to look like because it's your time. Some clients come in and just want to talk. Other clients feel it's easier to draw or to process their feelings through an activity. I may make suggestions and I will elicit feedback to ensure that you benefit from therapy. 

How long will therapy take? When will I feel better?

The length of treatment depends on factors such as your goals, your commitment, and your work outside of therapy. Each person's goals are different. One person's goals could be to gain some coping skills to better manage his or her anxiety. Another person's goals could be to process a variety of historical trauma. The time frame of therapy also depends on how committed you are. If you do not do the work both in therapy and out, it will slow the pace towards progress. I encourage self-agency within sessions and base treatment on the pace you are comfortable with.

Do I have to share things I don't want to in session? Are sessions confidential?

Of course not! It's normal that some topics are difficult to share in session and you are certainly not obligated to share them if you don't feel comfortable. I am not here to make you do something you don't want to. It's important for you to develop trust with your therapist, whether with me or with another therapist, so I will not pressure you to disclose or process a topic that causes you discomfort.

Absolutely. Your privacy is important to me and your records are HIPAA compliant. Everything that is shared within session is not shared with others. However, I am legally a mandated reporter, meaning if I suspect harm to self, harm to others, elder abuse, dependent adult abuse, and/or child abuse, I am required to report. I may also consult with other professionals from time to time, without the use of identifying factors such as names.