FAQs

I’ve never talked to anyone.  I’m used to handling things on my own.  Wouldn't going to therapy show that I'm weak?

Not at all.  People who ask for help know when they need it, and have the courage to reach out.  It naturally takes some time to trust a therapist and the process of getting better - the payoff is in discovering solutions you might never have come to on your own.

What’s the difference between talking to you or my best friend or family?

Family and friends can be great for all kinds of support and advice, but because their lives intersect with yours, they often can't "be there" just for you, and sometimes their own needs or agendas blur the help they try to give.

A professional, licensed therapist can help you approach your situation in a new way– teach you new skills, gain different perspectives, listen to you without judgment or expectations, and help you listen to yourself.  Furthermore, therapy is completely confidential. You won’t have to worry about others “knowing your business.”

Also, if your situation provokes a great deal of negative emotion, and you’ve been confiding in a friend or family member, there is the risk that - once you are feeling better - you might avoid that person to not be reminded of that difficult time in your life.

Why shouldn’t I just take medication?

You could.  Therapy is a commitment of focus, time and money that is not for everyone.  You have to want to engage in the process.  And medication can be useful on its own.

However, medication often is most effective in combination with therapy.  Medication helps reduce the intensity of your feelings or urges, and restore enough energy for you to be able to make the fullest use of the tools and insights you gain in therapy.  We can discuss finding a good potential prescriber for you to work with if needed.  

My intention is to support you in your therapy goals regardless of medication.  I meet you where you're at - whether you never want medication, or start therapy on medication and want to try to get off of it, or try medication and want to keep it as part of your whole approach to being your best self.  

How do I know we're a good fit?

What makes a good fit is actually a three-way match between the client, the therapist, and the therapeutic approach.  What this means is, the therapist's style and methods need to suit the client, the client's issues need to mesh with the therapist's expertise, and the type of therapy needs to be effective in the hands of that particular therapist.  You'll get a feel for how we would work together in the first session or two, and whether it "flows."  And if it turns out we're not as good a fit as it initially seemed, I can help you find another therapist.

I would say upfront that there are certain challenges I am likely to refer on to other therapists who have specialized expertise to help you.  These include anorexia, OCD, dependence on alcohol or drugs (not just casual or infrequent use), borderline personality disorder, unmedicated bipolar disorder, psychosis, severe PTSD, and issues of domestic violence.

How does it work?  What do I have to do in sessions?

Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, it will be different depending on the individual. You could check out the "Specialities" and "How We Work Together" pages on this website to get a better idea of how therapy with me might go. I aim to give you an initial plan for treatment after the first session, and always tailor my therapeutic approach to your specific needs.   

How long will it take?

I aim to work with you efficiently and effectively.  We'll be touching base regularly about your progress and the treatment goals. 

Following initial evaluation (completed over 1-2 sessions), we'll discuss your needs and an appropriate treatment plan. I'll typically ask that you commit to coming once per week initially (occasionally twice in a week if needed). Depending on how quickly and solidly you're improving, we can usually taper down and finish within 12-30 sessions.  In some cases. treatment lasts more than a year.   

Common factors that may affect the total number of sessions include:

· Your schedule or life circumstances

· The nature of your specific challenges and how you address them

· Your desire to continue therapy even after your initial concerns have been addressed

· Whether you experience a crisis that may necessitate increasing frequency or additional modalities (such as collateral sessions with family members or others).

I want to get the most out of therapy. What can I do to help?

You are taking a very positive step by deciding to seek therapy. The outcome of your treatment depends largely on your willingness to engage in this process.  This includes coming to sessions consistently, being as open as you can about how your doing and open to an alternate perspective, and giving your best try between sessions to working with the tools and insights you've gained.

What can I expect from you as a therapist?

Every client's therapy journey is unique. I cannot unequivocally promise that your feelings, behavior or circumstances will change. I can, however, promise to do my very best to understand you, to help you clarify what it is that you want for yourself, to work collaboratively with you, to incorporate your feedback about how we're working together, and to use my best clinical judgment and skill in proposing and pursuing treatment approaches and interventions.