Psychotherapy FAQs

Below are some of my responses to frequently asked questions. My intent with answering these questions is for you to hear a bit of my voice and perhaps a perspective I take on these questions. These responses are not meant to be textbook, complete or exhaustive. For that, consult google or chatGPT! :)

the therapeutic relationship is what makes psychotherapy helpful and makes self help more efficient

What is therapy?

Therapy is a space for you to take up with your goals. Goals in therapy could be to decrease unwanted symptoms (emotions, thoughts, behaviors) or to have a supportive space to reach developmental goals or process a transition (parenting, career, relationship beginnings and endings, etc). What is incredibly unique about the therapeutic relationship is that I am trained to reflect, parse out, and amplify you. It is my pet peeve when people deny therapy’s benefits because they think they can “do it by themselves”. Of course you can do it by yourself! It’s just not as efficient. :) We also know that profound growth, development, and self awareness comes from being in relationship, hence the therapeutic relationship.

I also want to talk about what therapy is not. Therapy is not advice. Rather, my job is to help you tap into your own inner wisdom. Therapy is not a friendship. My style, as your therapist, is to let you take up the space. You do not have to return that favor to me.

How do I start therapy with you?

We always start with a consultation! This will give us the opportunity to get to know each other and come to a mutual understanding of what brings you to therapy. For you, I want you to glean whether or not you feel comfortable with me. Research shows that finding a therapist that feels like a good fit greatly impacts outcomes. On my side, it is important that I hear what your goals are and determine if I’m a good fit to help you meet those goals. If I don’t think so, it would be unethical for me to take you on as a client. If we decide to move forward, we will set up a recurring weekly appointment.

You can schedule a consultation with me directly here.

How do I know if we are a good match?

Go with your gut. That may mean you feel comfortable* with me. It may mean that you feel seen during our consultation. One time I had a client say I “asked the right questions”. It may mean that you gained clarity to a path forward.

I welcome people with all bodies and life experiences to my practice. If you think it's needed to find someone with similar life experiences as you, I validate and honor that. I may not be that person. I am a white, cis gendered, mid 30's female that lives in an abled body. Additionally, I have the life experience of being a mother.

*Not everyone has access to “feeling comfortable” due to trauma history.

What will we discuss in therapy?

You get to decide what we talk about in therapy: past, future, present. Often times, we talk about “what feels alive”. After all, change happens in the present, not the past or future. Even as we talk about the past or the future, we will notice how you are relating to it in the present moment. The future guides us, the past we learn from, and the present is where we re-orient and orient. “What feels alive” could be any event from that day, week, etc that has been on your mind or in your heart. You decide what is on limits and what is off limits and what you would like to work towards. My job is to deepen the conversation with questions and to be curious with you about your responses.

How long will therapy take?

Everyone has different goals in therapy, so the length of time spent in therapy is different. Some people end therapy once they have reached a goal. Others continue therapy after reaching a goal for support. We can talk about what your wants/desires are and honor your needs around ending.

How are you different than other therapists?

Each therapist is incredibly unique because our job is to show up as the human we are in the therapeutic relationship. There are so many different approaches to therapy and most therapists draw from a "kit" of different styles/theoretical frames that inspire them. The approaches that spark my interest when working with clients include mindfulness, mindful self-compassion, somatic, sensorimotor psychotherapy, attachment, etc. I identify as a contemplative psychotherapist and this has been foundational to my training and therefore each lens I take. Mainly, this means that I believe all beings have access to sanity and are good inside.

Do you take insurance?

I provide superbills for you to submit to your insurance company for out-of-network benefits. A superbill is like a fancy invoice that includes information like my credentials and diagnosis. You are welcome to use a debit, credit, or FSA/HSA card. It is stored in SimplePractice, my medical health record system, and is automatically charged within 12 hours of our visit.

Here are some blogs that expand on why it may be beneficial to go outside of your insurance for mental health care.

Benefits of Seeing an Out-of-Network Therapist vs One within your Insurance

Reasons to see Out-of-Network therapist

When are you available?

You can see and schedule a consultation with me here.

I set up recurring sessions Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings and early afternoons. I do not provide evening or weekend hours.