Common Questions

How long will I be in the office?
In your initial session, you may be in the office a little longer as we ask that you arrive 5 minutes prior to your appointment time to complete the registration process. The session with your therapist is typically 45-50 minutes in length. The initial session generally last 50-60 minutes.

Is therapy right for me?
Seeking out therapy is an individual choice. There are many reasons why people come to therapy. Sometimes it is to cope with long-standing psychological issues, abuse, anxiety or depression. Other times it is in response to significant changes in one’s life such as divorce or the death of a loved one. Others seek therapy to pursue their own personal exploration and growth. Working with a therapist can help provide insight and new strategies for all types of life challenges. Therapy is right for anyone who is interested in getting the most out of their life by taking responsibility, creating greater self-awareness, and working towards change in their lives.

How can therapy help me?
Therapists can provide support, communication and coping skills, and enhanced strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship discord, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, and self-esteem issues. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a challenging problem and guide you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy is determined on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits of therapy include:

  • Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
  • Developing skills for improving your relationships
  • Finding resolution to the issues or concerns
  • Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
  • Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
  • Strengthening communications and listening skills
  • Increasing your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

What is therapy like?
Every therapy session is unique and is suited to each individual’s needs. It is standard for therapists to discuss the primary issues and concerns in your life during therapy sessions. It is common to schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each session lasts around fifty minutes. Therapy can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth.

It is important to process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life between sessions. For therapy to be most effective you must be an active participant, both during and between sessions. Those who are seeking psychotherapy need to be willing to take responsibility for their actions, make the effort to effect self-change and create a heightened sense of self-awareness.

Is medication a substitute for therapy?
In some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the most effective mode of treatment. Working with your primary physician or psychiatrist, you can determine what’s best for you. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy treats the cause and core of the distress and identifies the behavioral patterns that impede one’s progress. An integrative approach to wellness is typically the most effective way to achieve the most successful results.

How does insurance work?
To determine if you have mental health coverage, the first thing you should do is check with your insurance carrier. Check your coverage carefully and find the answers to the following questions:

  • What are my mental health benefits?
  • What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
  • How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
  • How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
  • Is approval required from my primary care physician?

Is therapy confidential?
In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and psychotherapist. Information is not disclosed unless a signed consent to release information from the client is given.

However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:

  • Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse. As a mandated reporter, the therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
  • If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist is required to notify the authorities.
  • If a client intends to harm oneself. Every effort is made to ensure the client’s safety.