Frequently Asked Questions

Sessions are typically 50 minutes long and are often scheduled weekly, especially in the beginning. Most people have been struggling to deal with difficult situations by the time they come to therapy. Weekly sessions will help to keep you accountable and motivated to work towards your goals in an efficient way. As therapy progresses, we can work together to determine if weekly sessions will continue to be useful. Some people will find that as they begin to heal and grow, fewer sessions are needed. The frequency of sessions can be adjusted in order to best meet your needs and maintain positive change. 

Every client or couple is going through a unique situation, so the length of treatment will vary. Most people attend therapy an average of 8-20 sessions, but it is always up to you how long you want to meet. Some clients will get what they need in 4-5 sessions, whereas other people attend therapy for six months to a year. There are many factors that will help determine the length of therapy, including the complexity of the issue, how much growth and change you want to make, how deeply you would like to explore the issue and your commitment to making and maintaining the positive changes. I will work with you in determining the appropriate schedule for therapy.

Therapy sessions are 50 minutes and will focus on you and your needs. The initial session will be an opportunity for me to get to know and understand you and your situation, as well as determine whether our relationship is a good fit. We will work on setting goals for therapy as well as formulating ways to begin working on those goals.

Every small step you take is a step in the right direction, and I am a believer in taking action. There may be times that you are asked to complete an exercise outside of session. This is only for your benefit. The work we do inside session should translate to your life outside of session, improve your self-worth and relationships, increase self-awareness and directly address the initial problems you brought into therapy.

In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and psychotherapist. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client.

However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. These exceptions include: 

• Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately. 
• If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist is required to notify the police. 
• If a client intends to harm themselves. The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken. 
• By using insurance, the client allows their insurance company to access confidential information. This is the only way insurance will pay for sessions.

Paying out of pocket allows for a higher level of clinical flexibility and confidentiality. Without insurance involvement, therapy is not constrained by diagnostic or treatment requirements set by third-party payers, allowing care to be guided by clinical judgment and individual needs rather than billing criteria.

This model also offers increased privacy, as personal health information, diagnoses, and session content are not shared with insurance companies. For many clients, this reduces concerns about labeling and supports a more comfortable therapeutic process.

Out-of-pocket therapy allows for greater consistency, pacing, and depth of work, which can be especially important in trauma-informed and OCD-informed treatment. The focus remains on providing thoughtful, individualized care within a collaborative and respectful therapeutic relationship.

Not at all. Therapy can be helpful during times of growth, transition, stress, or self-reflection—not just during crises. You don’t have to wait until things feel unmanageable to seek support.

A good therapeutic fit feels safe, respectful, and collaborative. If at any point something doesn’t feel right, we can talk about it openly. Fit matters, and your comfort is important.

Everyone’s timeline is different. Some clients notice shifts early on, while others experience more gradual change. Progress often looks like increased awareness, flexibility, and resilience over time.

Yes—absolutely. Questions, concerns, and feedback are always welcome and can be an important part of the therapeutic process.

Therapy isn’t about fixing something “broken.” It’s about understanding yourself more fully, building capacity, and learning new ways to respond to challenges with clarity and compassion.

The first session is focused on getting to know you and understanding what brings you to therapy. We’ll review important background information, discuss your goals, and talk through how therapy might support your needs. This session is also an opportunity for you to ask questions and get a sense of whether the approach feels like a good fit. There is no pressure to share anything before you’re ready.