What to expect
Although each person, and therefor each session will be different, here is a general idea of what you can expect.
Intake/History
During the initial session or “intake”, I will ask you questions. Lots of questions, this is not the same as a typical therapy session. The purpose of the intake is to help determine if we are going to be a good match therapeutically. This means, we will have a collaborative conversation to decide if we can continue our work together. The therapeutic relationship is one of the most important things to determine success in therapy. Another important factor is the client’s willingness to show up and engage in a meaningful way. This is where it becomes important to understand what a typical session might look like.
Sessions
A weekly or bi-weekly session might consist of a:
Check in (to see how the time has gone since we last sat down together)
Review of any “homework” or things that we need to track throughout our sessions
Identifying major stressors (picking a topic or two to narrow down our focus)
Processing those stressors and determining an action plan to see where we go from here
The final step in a session is deciding together how to prioritize the identified stressors and what actions are going to be taking in between the next sessions, if any.
Sometimes, an issue might be so large, for example, a change in relationship status, that we need to spend multiple sessions figuring out what the potential roots might be of the conflict between your current life and your most valued life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
What is therapy like?
Therapy is like having a conversation with a trusted support person in your life who can keep your confidence. It is a safe place to discuss life’s stressors with someone who can assist you in navigating through your challenges.
What is said during a session is kept confidential, with the exception of safety issues like: suicidal ideation with a plan or intent to harm one’s self; homicidal ideation with a plan or intent to harm someone else, child/elder abuse, abuse of an otherwise dependent or vulnerable person or comments threatening your clinician with intent to harm or kill. This is the time when it is likely that outside supports/agencies/emergency attention will need to be pursued.
Do I have to do homework?
Most likely, you will have “homework,” but don’t worry it won’t be writing a 5-10 page paper on a topic, it will be more like: committing 5-15 minutes a day to self care practicing open communication skills with your bosses, coworkers, family members, significant other(s), or child(ren).
How long will I be in therapy?
Depends. How long do you want to be in therapy? Are you looking for a short term, solution focused, couple of sessions? Or are you looking for long term (6+ months) of support and therapeutic guidance? Don’t know? That’s okay, we can continually talk about what your needs are and come up with a plan that fits you.
Does my insurance cover it?
I am not an in-network provider for any insurance companies, but I am willing to bill insurance for you and see if you have met your out of pocket deductible as well as your out of network deductible. So, it is always recommended for you to check with your insurance companies to find out what you will be responsible for paying.
What is the cost?
My current costs are:
Individual
$275: 75-90 minutes intake session
$225: 60 minute session
$175: 45 minute session
Family and Couples
$300: 75-90 minutes intake session
$250: 60 minute session
$200: 45 minute session
*You will be responsible for covering any portion of the bill that your insurance company does not cover.