Therapy is a little different than how it’s often portrayed in the movies. Breakthroughs don’t necessarily happen as fast or with such dramatic effect. It’s more of an interactive process of working through things rather than just sitting and talking on a couch. But yes, there is a couch. More importantly, however, is that therapy is a place where you can go to get an objective perspective on your situation, and with the assistance of treatment, develop insight into the reasons behind your actions. With that insight, you can then begin to make future decisions comfortably and confidently.

Sessions typically last 45-50 minutes and are scheduled once a week. Depending on the needs of each individual client(s), the session length and frequency may be adjusted. Some clients may need more time initially and then switch to bi-monthly or monthly as it becomes clinically appropriate.

The length of therapy depends on the issues that you’re facing and goals you want to achieve. For clients who are looking to address a behavioral change or have a concrete, time-limited goal, therapy may be resolved in a set amount of sessions. For others who are looking to address past traumas or deeper issues, therapy may be longer or ongoing. But regardless of the scope or severity of the issues, the length of therapy is ultimately decided by you. You will work collaboratively with your therapist to address your goals for therapy, and check in frequently about whether the work you are doing is helping you get closer to those goals. If therapy is not providing a positive change in your life, you can discuss alternative options with your therapist.

Payment can either be through your insurance plan or out-of-pocket. We are currently in-network for BlueCross BlueShield PPO, Aetna, and United Healthcare. (Please note only our fully licensed clinicians can see clients with UHC.) If you are interested in submitting out-of-network claims, we can also offer monthly invoices for services rendered. Sliding scale fees are also available and based on income level.

Yes. Everything you say in therapy stays between you and your therapist. There are only a few limits to confidentiality. Anytime you mention thoughts of wanting to harm yourself, or harm others, or mention that someone else is harming you, we may be obligated by law to make a report or take necessary action to ensure the safety of you and others. In couples therapy, our therapists are also unable to keep secrets with one partner from another. As you and your partner are in therapy together, your relationship also becomes a client in treatment and not being honest inhibits the progress your relationship is able to make.

In your first session, you and your therapist will address your reasons for coming into treatment and develop treatment goals that fit with your pace and ideas for change. There will most likely also be discussions on any past treatment you’ve had and how you’ve tried to reach your goals prior to entering into therapy. Often, but not always, there will also be discussion of your past and history with family, friends, and relationships, so that we can develop a detailed picture of how the presenting problem was created and how it is maintained by patterns and sequences in the current family and environmental structure.

The needs for medication will depend on the issues presented and your interest in medication. Medication is never the sole solution to an issue, but often it can be a helpful tool in conjunction with regular therapy. Often medication can help people who suffer with depression or anxiety to reach a level of functioning that allows them to get through their daily activities and responsibilities. Typically therapy is the first recommended step, and if the situation becomes worse or does not get better after a significant amount of time, medication might be discussed as an option. You will never be forced or pushed to seek out medication treatment, but if it is something you are interested in, you are always encouraged to bring it up for discussion and a potential referral.