The decision to look into therapy was probably not an easy one to make. Usually someone has suggested that you get involved in therapy, or you have begun experiencing some frustration or stress in your life. Either way, I am glad you are here.
What is a typical therapy session like?
It is important that you feel as emotionally and physically safe as possible when you engage in therapy. In order for this to happen, it takes time, patience, vulnerability, and persistence to build trust and get to know one another. Your first few sessions are dedicated more towards information gathering about who you are as a person. Because you are more than the challenges you are trying to address, you’ll be asked about your interests, family (both current and past), previous life experiences, and physical health, to name a few. It may feel like you’re being asked a lot of questions, and sometimes people report feeling frustrated because, “what does this have to do with why I’m here?” The purpose of this is to help the therapist understand how different areas of your life, past and present, may be contributing, or have contributed, to your current challenges. With a better understanding of who you are, the therapeutic process can be more effectively tailored to meet your needs. You are not required to share anything that is too uncomfortable or overwhelming for you.
Early in the process, with your therapist’s help, you will identify both short and long term goals for yourself, which will help to know when, or if, things are changing or getting better. Over time, if nothing is changing for you, there is an opportunity to re-examine how your sessions are approached and consider alternative options to help you make progress. Most of the time, therapy simply feels like a conversation between two people. The therapist will make observations, reflections, and sometimes offer suggestions. You may be asked to complete exercises or practice new skills in between sessions in order to develop new behaviors and beliefs that create positive changes in your life for the long-term.
It’s important to understand that therapists have no special powers, do not magically fix problems or give you advice. We contribute our education, training, and experience and ask you to contribute your knowledge, understanding, and experience of the issue. Together we can find a way to help you feel better. If you have concerns or questions about your therapy sessions, either before or during treatment, you are encouraged to share them so that you can get the answers you need to feel confident and satisfied with your services.
How long does therapy last?
There is no set answer on this. The length of our time together varies for each individual. Some issues only take a few sessions while others are more long term. This is something we will monitor and discuss frequently. Most sessions last 45-50 minutes in length.
Confidentiality
Our relationship is completely confidential. If I see you out in public I will not address you unless I am addressed first. Everything we discuss during sessions is only between the two of us. I will not reveal anything without written permission from you. The only exceptions to this are if records are subpoenaed, disclosure is necessary to prevent serious, foreseeable, and imminent harm to you or other identifiable persons, or when laws or regulations require disclosure without your consent (i.e., child abuse or child endangerment).
Cancellation Fees & Missing Appointments
It is important you make it to all your scheduled appointments. When there are missed appointments, it can cause a lapse in care that can inhibit treatment progress and growth. When you schedule an appointment, that time is now committed to your care. Each day’s schedule is carefully planned to ensure adequate time to see clients, plan for sessions, complete reports, make calls, and all the other items that go into providing the best client care. If you don’t show up, or don’t provide enough cancellation notice, that time could have been scheduled for someone else who may require clinical attention, care or assessment.
Please provide 24 hours notice if you cannot keep your scheduled appointment to avoid a cancellation fee. Cancellation fees are $75 for each missed session. Insurances do not cover or reimburse the cost associated with a missed session. Insurances do not cover or reimburse the cost associated with a missed session.
