Frequently Asked Questions

Having questions about what is involved in therapy is normal and a good indication that you’re dedicated to finding the right therapist for you.

I’m not sure that I need help, should I seek therapy?

Sometimes it’s hard to ask for help, especially if you aren’t sure that your problem is “big enough” for therapy. A few signs that could indicate that therapy might be helpful are:

Feeling unhappy for no reason * Not being satisfied with your life * Having trouble making decisions or setting and reaching goals * Being tired for no reason * Feeling hopeless * Changes to your sleeping or eating patterns * Acting ways that you don’t like or ways that are getting you in trouble * Problems with drugs or alcohol * Relationship problems * Having problems at work * Thinking about death a lot or thinking of hurting yourself

What can I expect during my first session?

Sessions typically last 55 minutes and during our first session we will complete some necessary paperwork. The balance of our first session will be spent discussing why you have decided to seek therapy at this time and what goals you have for your therapy sessions.

How long will I be in therapy?

More important than length of time is what your goals for therapy are; if you're experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety and looking for skills to help you cope and function better, therapy could be relatively short-term. However, if you're more concerned with resolving past conflicts, learning how to deal with specific situations, or even working through traumatic events, therapy could be considered a long term investment in yourself. Keep in mind that as you proceed with therapy sometimes unexpected, unresolved issues can arise which could prolong your treatment.

How will I know that I’m done, what does the end of therapy look like?

A good indication of when it might be time to end therapy is that the problems that brought you to therapy in the first place have been resolved. Together we will review the goals you established at the outset of therapy. Did you achieve them? Are there secondary goals that still need to be worked on? Are you satisfied with what you've accomplished? Are there any other goals you still might want to achieve? We will also review the skills you've acquired so you can overcome any future problems that might arise. We'll also discuss your level of awareness in recognizing when you might need to return to therapy. How will you know? What are the signs? By discussing these questions you'll have a better grasp of the issue and be able to seek help before you are in a crisis. Finally, I want to help you process the end of therapy, for some people ending the therapeutical relationship can be challenging. Acknowledging the end of our relationship will help to provide you with the proper closure. This is also a great opportunity to see how far you've come, what you will work on independently, and what resources are available to you.