FAQs

One difference is that your situation may provoke a great deal of negative emotions, and when you confide in a friend or family member there is the risk of this impacting your relationship.  Another difference is that a therapist is an expert active listener and knows how to be present with you where you are at that moment. Therapists provide education about your concerns along with offering you tools and strategies to improve your symptoms.  I can help you approach your situation in a new way by teaching you skills and different perspectives, by listening to you without judgment or expectations, and by helping you listen to yourself. Lastly, therapy is completely confidential. You won’t have to worry about others “knowing my business.”

This is a great question and one that most people have difficulty understanding.  It is very important for you to fit well with the person you are going to work with in therapy.  This may include how comfortable you feel, if you believe you are heard and understood, and if you can get what you need.  You may get a vibe quickly or you may have to attend a few sessions to determine the fit.  Either way, it can be helpful to think of some questions to ask the therapist when interviewing them. Yes, I said interview as you are basically hiring a therapist to work with you. 

Some questions you may decide to ask are:  what do you value in therapy, have you ever worked with someone with my concerns or issues, how will you work with my concerns or issues, how long do you recommend therapy, how will I know when I am done with therapy, and what does a typical session look like.

Medication can be effective, but it alone cannot solve all the issues you may be facing. Medication may decrease your racing thoughts or anxious/sad mood, but it will not resolve what contributes to these.  Sometimes medication is needed in conjunction with counseling. Our work together is designed to explore and unpack the concerns or issues you are experiencing, tap into your strengths, and help you accomplish your goals.

Because each person is an individual and comes to therapy with different concerns and goals, the sessions will vary and look different for each person.  I tailor my therapeutic approach to your specific needs and base these on the therapeutic goals we develop together.  Your responsibility will be to show up, engage in our conversations, and then apply the strategies and tools you learn in your daily life outside of our therapy sessions.

Unfortunately, this is an answer that I can't provide you because there are many factors that determine this. Your circumstances are unique to you, so the length of time it will take for you to accomplish your goals will depend on your desire for personal development, your commitment, and the factors that are driving you to seek therapy in the first place.

I am so glad you are dedicated to getting the most out of your therapy sessions. Your active participation and dedication will be crucial to your success.  It will be important for you to take what you learn in our sessions and apply these new skills, strategies, and tools in your everyday life.  The overall goal of therapy is to help you get to a place where you feel better and function better than when you first started therapy.  

Sometimes you may not know exactly what you need or what you can gain from therapy.  All you know is that whatever is happening is not working for you currently and you have no idea how to make a change.  Think about what it is that has caused you to look for therapy.  What is it that doesn't feel right or creates barriers for you?  If you could imagine your life without this concern or issue, what would it look like? Let's talk about what is keeping you from experiencing this desired outcome.  

The biggest differences between online and in person therapy are the costs and preparation that might be associated with driving, parking, and managing physical disabilities and being in the physical presence of another person.  There are several pros and cons of each, and the choice is really up to what you are most comfortable with and what you need.  Just as therapy is individually based, so is the decision on whether to be involved in therapy in person or online. It is equally important for the therapist to be comfortable and knowledgeable about providing online services. Therapy can be effective in any setting as long as you and the therapist connect, the therapist is able to meet your needs and provide the appropriate interventions, and you are engaged and participating in therapy. 

Pros of online therapy:

• less driving and traffic hassles and costs
• less time constraints
• increased likelihood to come to the appointment
• increased accessibility for those living in rural areas, who lack reliable transportation, or who have physical disabilities.  

Pros of in-person therapy:

• physical presence of the therapist
• ease in sharing documents for consents, practice assignments, or education
• more appropriate in treating severe or complex mental health conditions or crisis situations
• more acceptable type of service across insurances when you have a mental health (or behavioral) service benefit
• decreased risk of interruptions to therapy sessions.

Cons of online therapy:

• lack of in person connection especially for individuals who are isolated
• limits with some insurances to cover online therapy
• more difficult to maintain and ensure privacy and confidentiality
• increased interruptions of the therapy session due to weather, other people, or internet connections.

Cons of in-person therapy:

• easier to cancel if other interferences occur
• increased costs associated with driving 
• can be uncomfortable initially for some people.

Again, keeping you in mind, think about what will be most beneficial for you and what will best meet what you need right now.  With planning and conversation, you and the therapist can adapt to situations as they occur whether you choose online or in person therapy.

You are really thinking about all the aspects of therapy to make it work best for you.  Great work!

To participate in online (or virtual) therapy, you will need a high-speed internet connection, a device (smart phone, laptop or desktop, or iPad) with a camera and microphone and speaker.  If you have already used Skype or Zoom, or any other online platform, then you more than likely have everything you need.  

If you have not used these online platforms before, then I encourage you to give it a try with your device to test out the capability of your system.  Sometimes you can ask a friend or family member to help you out by connecting through Zoom or Skype to check your camera and microphone/speaker functions.  These online platforms are available free of charge.  

You may want to purchase a headset or earphones/ear pods to keep one side of the conversation confidential and private if you are concerned with others overhearing.

The only other thing you will need is a comfortable spot to talk during session.  Some people choose to sit in a chair/couch, on their bed, at a table, or sit outside.  It really depends on where you will be safest and most comfortable during your therapy session as well as where your privacy will be the most protected.

These are great questions.  Each insurance plan provides benefits to their consumers but not all plans will cover mental health (or behavioral) services such as psychotherapy or psychiatry.  It is important to make this determination as soon as possible by contacting the customer service department with your insurance plan which is listed on the back of your insurance card.  You can ask this representative about mental health (or behavioral) services coverage and co-pay amounts.  

When an appointment is scheduled with me, I will also verify your mental health (or behavioral) benefits with your insurance plan and request information about your deductible, co-pay, and number of sessions allowed. Often times, this information is preliminary and may change after a bill is submitted to your insurance plan. I will provide you with the most up-to-date information.  

Please visit my Rates & Insurance page to get more information.

My days and hours of operation are in Eastern Standard Time in order to accommodate those living in California and Utah.  Below is my availability for anyone living in the three states I serve (CA, SC, and UT):

Mondays 10 am to 9 pm 

Tuesdays 9 am to 5 pm

Wednesdays 9 am to 9 pm

Thursdays 9 am to 8 pm

Sundays 10 am to 1 pm

I take breaks during these long days and am off on Fridays and Saturdays.