What to Expect
If you've never experienced therapy, it can feel a bit daunting to get started and you may have more questions than answers about what to expect. I really try to demystify the process and make things as easy, simple, and clear as I can for people. I typically like to begin with a phone call with prospective clients to get an idea of what is going on and whether I might be a good fit to help. From there, we schedule an intake session and I usually spend the first session or two getting to know you better.
The Process of Therapy
Setting
You may have images in mind of people lying on a couch while the therapist takes notes and says "hmm" while asking how you feel. That's not my approach. We sit comfortably facing one another as two people might when getting coffee. We meet in an office building (or by video if you prefer) and the whole setting is very low-key and informal.
Types of Therapy
Though I'm quite familiar with several models of therapy (in fact, the course I teach is on that subject) I primarily borrow from models like ACT, EFT, and CBT. Ultimately, though, I want to find a model that fits well with you and is most likely to help you meet your goals. I'll never force you to try something you don't want to do, and we'll collaborate as we go along to find the best fit.
A Typical Session
While sessions will regularly look different from one another, most of the time the process will have some elements of you telling me your story and helping me understand your perspective, learning and practicing skills, and education about how the mind works and strategizing on how to take advantage of that knowledge. Of course, depending on our goals the balance of those things will change, but those components are common to most sessions.
Billing and Fees
At this time I am only accepting private-pay clients but it may also be the case that your insurance company will reimburse you for a portion of your expenses and simply consider me an out-of-network provider. My standard rate per session is $195. I hate for finances to be the barrier that keeps people from seeking help, so depending on your financial situation I can reduce that by as much as half ($100) in some cases.